September 27, 2021: Chief Evolution Officer, Carleen Lyden Walker, has announced that Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS Chairman, President, and CEO will deliver the opening keynote presentation at SHIPPINGInsight 2021: Bridging the Decade Fleet Optimization & Innovation Conference and Exhibition. This top tier conference, being held virtually October 11-13^th will focus on challenges facing the maritime world entering the “Fourth Industrial Revolution,” and is the lead event of North American Shipping Week, followed by the Connecticut Maritime Association’s Shipping 2021 conference running October 13-15^th.  Mr. Wiernicki will be addressing maritime decarbonization, which is particularly timely as the industry looks towards COP26 in November.

"Decarbonization of our industry represents a strategic opportunity for the entire industry, a structural realignment of historic proportions where the entire ecosystem and value chain is being shaken up. No one organization, no individual company, has the resources to meet this challenge alone. Success in the decarbonization of shipping will be, as it always is, a team sport. We will need to work together, pool our resources, experience, and knowledge if we are to achieve our sustainability ambitions," said Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.

With disruptors like climate deadlines, automation and digitalization joining forces and creating a whirlpool of change and profound new opportunities for our industry, SHIPPINGInsight’s event is pivotal for the future success of shipping. Keynote addresses from other industry figure heads such as Ley Hoon Quah, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA); former USCG Commandant Admiral Thad Allen of HudsonAnalytix; Wah Kwong Shipping Holdings Limited’s Chairman, Sabrina Chao, also President of BIMCO; and Eagle Bulk CEO Gary Vogel will set a powerful tone for this collaborative and informative conference. Register today at SHIPPINGINSIGHT: 2021 Registration Page.

“Our focus at SHIPPINGInsight is building a community of collaborators as we face the challenges in this decade,” stated Ms. Walker.  “Our global industry is highly fragmented but must align in order to successfully navigate through the myriad of obstacles to achieving industry efficiency and reduced environmental impacts.  We are bringing together fleet managers with solution providers to reach our collective goals.”

SHIPPINGInsight 2021 is in its 10^th year of providing a platform for fleet management and solution providers to exchange views and information on strategies for the maritime industry to accelerate change in order to meet the demands of society, regulations, operational risks, crew welfare and protection of the environment. This year’s three-day program will address industry challenges and changes through roundtable discussions between shipowners, regulators and solution providers around decarbonization, digitalization, defense, decisions, and disruption. Discussions around issues critical to industry today will be held during the “Decade of…” sessions, with decarbonization and digitalization in the forefront.  “Deep Dive” technical sessions will range from fleet management to fuel alternatives and safety at sea. 

Participants in the program include Conference Chairman Angus Campbell, USCG’s Jeffrey Lantz, D’Amico’s Joe Gross, Fleet Management’s Mohan Muppidi, Giorgos Kyriazis  of P Ship Systems, Boriana Farrar of Patriot Contract Services, Jim Lawrence of MTI Network, International Seaway’s Jeff Pribor, Cynthia Hudson of HudsonAnalytix, Keegan Plakson of ABS, Michael Parker of Citibank and the Poseidon Principles, Michael Webber of Webber Research, Morten Arntzen of Team Tankers, Semiramis Paliou of Diana Shipping, Chembulk CEO Bart Kelleher, Ardmore’s Tony Gurnee, Rob Hughes of Genco Shipping, Sadan Kaptanoglu of Kaptanoglu Shipping, Max Bobys of HudsonAnalytix, Mark O’Neil of Columbia Shipmanagement, Guy Platten  of the International Chamber of Shipping, and Knut Ørbeck-Nielssen of DNV. 

The capstone of the event is SHIPPINGInsight’s SHARK TANK where representatives of new technologies (“Chum”) pitch their products and services to a panel of judges (“Sharks”).  The winner will receive SHIPPINGInsight’s Innovation Award, and every year most participants find funding or sponsors for their innovations. The award is presented annually to honor a solution provider for the successful development and implementation of an innovative initiative that advances the state of the art in ship and fleet optimization goals.  The 2020 Innovation Award was presented to Sterling PBES (SPBES) for their hybrid battery power for vessel operations which provides a cost-effective system to reduce fuel emissions and “future-proof” sources of energy for vessels. SHIPPINGInsight is proud to attract such innovative products and services to its SHARK TANK every year from all around the world and are excited to see the “Chum” of 2021.  

The World Ocean Council (WOC), EU BlueInvest program and Forum Oceano continue to partner to convene ocean investment entities in a series of events in 2021.

On 16 September a group of active investors/funds will present their efforts, outlining the issues they are focused on, what types of technologies or solutions they are seeking to fund, who is eligible and what they consider as critical factors for a successful partnership.

The investor/fund presentations will be followed by a panel discussion to consider the way forward to a sustainable Blue Economy from an investor's perspective, the key gaps to be addressed in order to transition to a sustainable Blue Economy and priorities for 2021 to tackle these issues.

The event will take place on Thursday September 16th at 7pm CEST.
To register: https://lnkd.in/dEXRMiBW

Attendees will include founders of ocean startups and small and medium-sized enterprises, investors, public authorities from Europe’s coastal areas, the European Commission, port authorities and industry associations. This event is a part of a lead up of activities to BlueInvest Day 2021 on 26 January.

Related to this, the World Ocean Council continues to plan for the launch of “BlueFIN 22” - the Global Blue Finance Summit – an annual invitation-only event which will commence in 2022.

BlueFIN 22 dates and location will be announced as soon as possible.

BlueFIN 22 will convene the investment and finance community involved in or interested in the sustainable ocean economy, including: Asset owners and Asset managers, Ocean Funds and Impact Investors, Institutional Investors, Family Offices and Philanthropic Investors, Corporate Investors and Venture Capital, Government Funding Agencies and Multi-lateral Funding Organizations.

BlueFIN 22 builds on the success of the WOC Sustainable Ocean Summit (SOS) 2019 “Investing in Ocean Futures: Finance and Innovation for the Blue Economy”, the most comprehensive global Blue Finance event organized to date.

The WOC “Ocean Investor Roundtable” continues to meet monthly since early 2020 with a steadily growing finance and investment network on ocean sustainable development. Ocean investors interested in participating in the monthly roundtable are invited to contact info@oceancouncil.org .

Participation signals the role of finance in propelling the maritime industry to zero emissionsAugust X, 2021: The Zero Emission Ship Technology Association (ZESTAs) Madadh MacLaine, Secretary-General of ZESTAs (Zero Emission Ship Technology Association), announced that Poseidon Principle’s leaders-- Michael Parker, Chairman, Global Shipping, Logistics & Offshore Citigroup, and Paul Taylor, Managing Director, Global Head of Shipping and Offshore, Societe Generale — have joined the “SHIP ZERO – Charging to Zero” event in Glasgow. They will be addressing both the necessity of zero emissions for the maritime industry as well as the role finance will have in achieving this goal.

Michael Parker was appointed the Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Poseidon Principles in 2019 and elected the first Chairman of the Poseidon Principles Association in 2020. Alongside Michael, Paul Taylor is Vice Chairman of the Poseidon Principles. Together, they are leading the association to effectively influence decarbonization efforts in the maritime sector.

“As we focus on what is achievable, banks need to support the new fuels and technologies as much as the transition so that the zero emissions ambition is realised whilst ensuring that the smooth operation of global supply chains that the world depends on for the shipping industry is maintained” stated Mr. Parker.

“By investing in zero emissions technologies, you’re moving the entire industry towards reaching its goal of zero emissions. Zero carbon. Zero emissions. True zero” observed Ms. MacLaine.  “Participation of the Poseidon Principles in “SHIP ZERO – Charging to Zero” underscores the importance of the role of finance in deploying and scaling the technologies and solutions that are being featured, and ultimately moving the shipping industry closer to zero.”

Concurring, Paul Taylor claimed “As the main capital providers to the shipping industry, banks have a pivotal role to play in the transition to zero carbon fuels and technologies. With climate alignment directly influencing our investment decisions, Poseidon Principles signatories will

increasingly support shipowners and other stakeholders who are committed to creating a greener maritime supply chain.

“SHIP ZERO presents a unique opportunity to discuss and create a new vision for the industry with thought leaders and initiators brainstorming in breakout groups to formulate ways that policy, finance, market, and technology can all be leveraged to bring about a rapid transition to a true zero emissions sector.” continued MacLaine. “Our mission is to produce a navigational chart with action waypoints guiding industry to the safe haven of true zero.”

Attendance will be limited through an application process with priority going to first movers, thought leaders, disruptors, influencers, and change-makers.

For more information, or to align your company with this event, please visit:

SHIP ZERO | ZESTAs (https://zestas.org/ship-zero/)

Media Contact: Carleen Lyden Walker (c.walker@morganmarketcomm.com)

Tel +1203.260.0480

August 30th, 2021: Global maritime experts will participate in SHIPPINGInsight 2021: Bridging the Decade being held October 11-13^th in Stamford, Connecticut and virtually. This hybrid event will feature keynote addresses from Ley Hoon Quah, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), Eagle Bulk CEO Gary Vogel, and Wah Kwong Shipping Holdings Limited’s Chairman, Sabrina Chao, who is also President of BIMCO.

SHIPPINGInsight 2021: Bridging the Decade will focus on the maritime world entering the “Fourth Industrial Revolution,” with disruptors like climate deadlines, automation and digitalization joining forces with impending regulations to create profound change in our industry. The unprecedented convergence will result in changes and opportunities for the maritime world. At SHIPPINGInsight 2021, these changes will be addressed through roundtable discussions between shipowners, regulators and solution providers around decarbonization, digitalization, defense, decisions, and disruption.  “Deep Dive” technical sessions will also be offered on fleet management optimization, fuel and bunkering, energy alternatives, regulatory compliance challenges, digitalization and cyber, and safety on the high seas.

“We need to come together as an industry to identify pathways into the decade which will be commercially, technically, environmentally and financially successful in supporting our role as the engine of global trade,” stated SHIPPINGInsight Chief Evolution Officer Carleen Lyden Walker. 
“Never before has the role of shipping been so prominent as global society examines the efficacy of the logistics chain and effects on the environment.  Shipping needs to play its role in providing an efficient service with minimal negative impacts.”

Participants in the program include Conference Chairman Angus Campbell, USCG’s Jeffrey Lantz, D’Amico’s Joe Gross, Fleet Management’s Mohan Muppidi, Boriana Farrar of Patriot Contract Services, Jim Lawrence of MTI Network, International Seaway’s Jeff Pribor, Cynthia Hudson of HudsonAnalytix, Michael Parker of Citibank and the Poseidon Principles, Michael Webber of Webber Research, Morten Arntzen of Team Tankers, Semiramis Paliou of Diana Shipping, Chembulk CEO Bart Kelleher, Ardmore’s Tony Gurnee,  Sadan Kaptanoglu of HI Kaptanoglu Shipping, Mark O’Neil of Columbia Shipmanagement, Guy Platten  of the International Chamber of Shipping, and Knut Ørbeck-Nielssen of DNV.

The program will end with SHIPPINGInsight’s renowned SHARK TANK where new technologies and services (“Chum”) will face a panel of “Sharks” comprised of shipowners and investors. The “Sharks” will examine the “Chums’” theses, evaluate their value proposition, and decide whether to “invest” in their concepts. Rich Pruitt of Carnival, Marina Hadjipateras of TrailMix Ventures, Ravi Singh of Northern Shipping Funds, Tony Backos of Bluewater Acquisition, Alissa Petersen of SeaAhead, and Jess Hurwitz of DX9 will determine who deserves investment and who wins the SHIPPINGInsight Innovation Award. The award is presented annually to honor a solution provider for the successful development and implementation of an innovative initiative that advances the state of the art in ship and fleet optimization goals.  

About SHIPPINGInsight

Originally established in 2012, SHIPPINGInsight has grown steadily each year. Focusing on fleet optimization and innovation, the event provides a forum for fleet managers and solution providers to exchange ideas and discuss challenges in facing the transformation of the industry.  More than 750 delegates from 35 countries attended the 2020 event, including 101 shipping company executives.  For more information, please visit www.shippinginsight.com.

For more information on becoming a partner, contact Stella Ludovicy at s.ludovicy@shippinginsight.com