ACIs Maritime HR & Crew Management Summit 2024 to Take Place in London on 16th - 17th October 2024

ACI is delighted to announce its flagship Maritime HR & Crew Management summit, set to take place on Wednesday 16th & Thursday 17th October 2024 in the vibrant city of London. This leading event is a must-attend for maritime industry professionals across Europe, offering crucial insights into the latest trends, policies, and challenges influencing maritime HR and crew management.

Building on the success of previous editions, this years summit will focus on cross-cultural communication and diversity, addressing the pressing challenges within the maritime sector. Attendees will benefit from a comprehensive two-day programme featuring expert speakers, who will provide actionable strategies for managing maritime HR and crew, as well as solutions for overcoming the sectors evolving challenges.

The event offers a unique opportunity for networking with key stakeholders including shipowners, ship managers, fleet captains, and superintendents. It is an invaluable platform for staying ahead of industry developments and connecting with influential professionals from across the maritime value chain.

Key Discussion Topics include:

1) A Comprehensive Market Review of Manning Trends in the Maritime Industry

2) Navigating Policy and Regulation Updates

3) Cross-cultural Management and Embracing Diversity

4) Prioritising Safety and Wellbeing in Maritime Operations

5) Learning from Experiences: Best and Worst Practices

6) The Case for Stable Crewing in Maritime Stability

7) Streamlining Training, Job Retention, and Evolving Skills

8) Leadership and Communication Challenges in Maritime

9) Revolutionising Maritime Recruitment

10) Addressing Financial Challenges for Seafarers and the Industry

This years distinguished speaker line-up features top experts from across the maritime sector, including:

1) Eurico Ortiga, Director of Social and Legal Affairs, European Community Shipowners Association

2) Anna-Maria Darmanin, Secretary-General, European Tugowners Association

3) Maria Athanasiou, Founder and Maritime Lawyer, Athanasiou & Associates LLC

4) Kjetil Meling, HR Director, Solvang

5) Ondrilla Fernandes, Employment Affairs Advisor, International Chamber of Shipping

6) Pennie Blackburn, Director, Waypoint Maritime

7) Captain Kapila Malawwethanthri, Technical & Compliance Officer, Bahamas Maritime Authority

Dont miss this exceptional opportunity to connect with senior executives and experts from industry-leading organisations including Maersk, DNV, Columbia Shipmanagement, ABC Maritime, Bahamas Maritime Authority, and Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, among many others.

This event is exclusively end-user focused, with delegates drawn from VPs, Directors, and Managers of HR, Crew & Personnel, HSEQ, Manning, and Training departments within shipping operators, as well as relevant authorities overseeing crew development and training.

Erik Thun welcomes first hybrid Lake Vänern Max vessel

Swedish shipping company Erik Thun has taken delivery of the first plug-in hybrid dry cargo vessel in the next-generation Lake Vanern Max series from Ferus Smit shipyard in the Netherlands. The vessel, named Lidan, was revealed on October 2, 2024, and has since sailed from Eemshaven to Wilhelmshaven for its first loading. This 89-meter-long ship is specially designed for trading through the Trollhattan canal and locks, connecting the Swedish interior lakes with the North Sea near Gothenburg. According to Erik Thun, Lidan and the remaining five vessels in the Lake Vanern Max series will operate on a hybrid propulsion system, utilizing both battery power and traditional fuel to optimize energy use and reduce emissions. The large diameter propeller, operating within a nozzle, provides increased thrust at lower speeds, allowing operators to reduce the installed main engine power by 18% without compromising performance, thus decreasing fuel usage and carbon emissions. Additionally, the vessels feature shore connection capabilities for silent and emission-free operations while docked, improving air quality and reducing noise pollution. “We are making a substantial investment to support our customers’ transportation needs, thereby strengthening our position even further in the short-sea market and on the Lake Vanern traffic, commented Senior Charterer Jens Backstrom on the delivery.

Dutch heavy-lift shipping company Jumbo installs innovative mechanical sails on Jumbo Jubilee.

Dutch heavy-lift shipping and offshore transport company Jumbo has successfully completed the installation of two mechanical sails onboard its 13,000 dwt heavy lift cargo vessel, Jumbo Jubilee. The systems, provided by Dutch wind-assisted ship propulsion (WASP) specialist Econowind, make the Jumbo Jubilee the first geared vessel equipped with WASP following the installation of VentoFoils. Jumbo is dedicated to advancing sustainable heavy-lift shipping through innovative energy-saving and decarbonization initiatives across its fleet, according to Daan Kornneef, CEO of Jumbo Maritime. Kornneef emphasized that the installation of these mechanical sails is a testament to the companys commitment to decarbonization and innovation, driving progress towards a greener maritime industry. Jumbos strategy involves implementing multiple fuel-saving solutions on a single vessel to assess each technologys contribution to overall efficiency. Examples already in use on Jumbo Jubilee include an efficiency-boosting propeller coating, an AI-powered anti-fouling monitoring system, and an eco-control system, with the new VentoFoils set to evaluate the impact of WASP on vessel performance. The sails relatively small footprint makes them ideal for heavy lift vessels, and they are flexibly mounted on a customized frame engineered by Jumbos structural engineer Estelle Bongers, allowing for relocation or transfer to other vessels if needed. In addition to the VentoFoils, Jumbo has installed an eco-control system to optimize fuel consumption and emissions. With these significant technological advancements, Jumbo anticipates achieving substantial fuel savings while emphasizing the importance of collaboration within the organization to reduce its environmental footprint.