Carleen-Lyden-Walker
SHIPPINGInsight begins 20/20 Vision for the Decade
WESTON, Conn. – October 13, 2020 –SHIPPINGInsight has gathered top solution providers for its “20/20- A Vision for the Decade” SHIPPINGInsight Fleet Optimization and Innovation Conference and Exhibition which began October 7th-8th with “Deep Dive” technical sessions followed by the conference and exhibition held October 12th-14th.
SHIPPINGInsight kicked off its 9th annual Fleet Optimization and Innovation conference and Exhibition with the theme 2020 Vision for the Decade on Monday, Oct. 12, featuring talks on decarbonization, new technical options for navigation, security and even karaoke.
In addition to watching panels and roundtables, and “visiting” virtual booths, participants could also watch SHIPPINGInsight’s Celebrity Karaoke. A fun way to bring people together and add some much-needed light-heartedness, viewers could watch award-winning
“Cher” performed alongside Presidents and CEOs singing covers of well-known songs such as “Major Tom,” “Sweet Caroline,” and “Don’t Stop Believing.”
However, before the fun began, SHIPPINGInsight got down to business by presenting thought-provoking and interesting panels and workshops that dealt with decarbonization, challenges brought on by ever-changing regulations, new technologies, energy alternatives, security on the high seas and more.
One common theme throughout the discussions was how there was no “single magic silver bullet” to the problems the industry is facing and will continue to face in the coming decade.
“There’s no one-size-fits-all solution,” said Sergio Garcia, Head of Communications at Maritime Americas.
There was a strong call for collaboration and multilateralism, both internally and externally for those in the industry. The past year has proven to be a year in which the industry had to work harder than ever to maintain the flow of the supply chain. A point made more than once was how, though the COVID-19 pandemic made drastic innovations possible, it also threated the very integrity of the shipping industry. Before the pandemic, the industry already had challenges with communicating effectively across multicultural, multinational and multilingual platforms.
“In the past century, we’ve dealt with two world wars, a depression and now two pandemics,” James Lawrence, Chairman of Marine Money and MTI Network Inc., said.
COVID-19 compounded previous difficulties and forced companies, organizations, governments and individuals to think of creative and innovative means of communicating. It also exposed the necessity of collaboration and open, accurate, real time data with those at sea and on land.
Interviews with ship owners, U.S. Coast Guard officers, engineers and executives debated on different challenges and their potential solutions, from new machinery to deal with carbon emissions, to new system updates that would allow for crews to be have updated regulations in real time.
The crews currently onboard vessels were also a top concern for speakers on the Technical Options for Navigating the Future panel, as they discussed the difficulties in balancing the current global health crisis with mariners’ mental and physical welfare, with many voicing the need for mariners to be considered essential workers.
“Mariners need supplies and access to medical treatments and supplies, they’re at the center of the industry,” said Tom Jenkins, Deputy Director and Head of Casualty and Investigations at Bahamas Maritime Authority. “Identifying the importance of crews––essential status––by nations, getting them off and on [vessels] is super important.”
From developing new technologies in both software and machinery, such as scrubbers that would reduce harmful carbon emissions from vessels, to debating the various risks to cyber security and viable fuel alternatives, presentations and workshops focused on solid projects.
“We can only find solutions if we work together,” said Alexander Saverys, CEO of CMB Group. “We need to start on very concrete projects.”
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In an ever-increasingly connected maritime world, many participants also stressed the need for transparency and accurate data reporting, that it would take a multilateral effort to make that a reality, and that being reactive to regulations would not be enough in the coming decade.
“The more advances in technology, the more vulnerabilities there are,” Rob Hughes, COO of Genco Shipping and Trading Ltd., said. “It’s something you have to monitor, and it takes a village.”
The air of comradery and optimism prevailed during Monday’s conference despite concerns for risks brought on by exponential digitalization, fuel and energy alternatives as well as mariner safety. It was even that very concern from the panelists and presenters that marked an optimistic and tenacious spirit for the industry going forward.
Jan-Willem van den Dijssel
Today’s lineup includes Angela Chao of Foremost, Jan-Willem van den Dijssel and others.
For information and to register online, visit www.shippinginsight.com.
