Future of Ships, Shipping and Environmental Sustainability Conference

Registration and Networking Breakfast

8am – 9am, 9 July 2024 ‐ 1 hour

All Streams

Chair's Opening Remarks

9am – 9.15am, 9 July 2024 ‐ 15 mins

All Streams

Speakers

Professor Ralph Rayner FIMarEST

Professorial Research Fellow, Grantham Research Institute and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Co-chair IMarEST Operational Oceanography SIG

Find out more

Navigating the Uncharted Waters: Unveiling the Future of Ships & Shipping

9.15am – 10am, 9 July 2024 ‐ 45 mins

All Streams

This opening plenary will dissect the interconnected forces of technology, human factors, and the environment, unveiling the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. It will involve three high-level presentations with a subsequent panel discussion.

Demystifying fuel options and scrutinising the diverse fuel landscape, analysing available technologies, infrastructure capabilities, and long-term viability.

Examining the intricate web of regulations and political landscapes impacting them and the crucial role of stateled support. Determining how the fuels are perceived by the crew and also the public.

Achieving emission targets and Looking at the ripple effects of new fuel productions and evolving emission targets on the maritime industry's wider sustainability footprint and contribution to climate change mitigation.

10-minute presentation from each speaker followed by a 45-minute panel discussion with audience Q&A

Speakers

Professor Ralph Rayner FIMarEST

Professorial Research Fellow, Grantham Research Institute and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Co-chair IMarEST Operational Oceanography SIG

Find out more

Dr Richard Bucknall

Head of Mechanical Engineer, UCL, Maritime Research and Innovation UK

Find out more

Learning from the past, charting a safer course: Health & safety on vessels

10.10am – 10.50am, 9 July 2024 ‐ 40 mins

Human Contributions

• Leveraging operational failure data and accident profiles to identify and mitigate risks, proactively improving safety culture
• The latest statistics and trends on worker fatigue, analysing its impact on accidents and implementing data-driven solutions like sleep deprivation studies
• The need for accelerated regulatory reforms, including fatigue risk management use of new technologies and clear standards/requirements for machinery operation
• The critical role of proper rest hours and fatigue management/monitoring for crew well-being and operational safety

Morning Break

10.50am – 11.20am, 9 July 2024 ‐ 30 mins

Breaks

Sustainable inland shipping: how is it possible?

11.20am – 11.50am, 9 July 2024 ‐ 30 mins

Human Contributions

• Considerations for ship owners when converting to alternative fuels
• The Importance of modular ship design
• In setting to improve business case.

Speakers

Wouter Vuikj

Business Manager Sustainable Transport, Port of Rotterdam

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Floating wind turbines: Construction and installation considerations

12pm – 12.30pm, 9 July 2024 ‐ 30 mins

Human Contributions

• Physical requirements of constructing and installing floating wind turbines
• Training and industrial relations, considerations
• How to minimise effects on the environment with noise mitigation during pile driving and reducing the effect of damage to the seabed

Speakers

Alan Crowle FIMarEST

Researcher, University of Exeter

Find out more

Optimising ship O&M: Lessons from leaders & emerging challenges

12.40pm – 1.10pm, 9 July 2024 ‐ 30 mins

Human Contributions

• Operational failures rooted in human error and poor design and the need for emphasising thorough training and proactive risk management. 
• Quality Crew, Quality O&M: links between O&M costs and crew competency.
• Safety challenges of new fuels and prioritise comprehensive training for safe handling and operational practices.
• How industry giants like Maersk approach maintenance planning and execution
• Determining who apart from the system operators need training and what that training is

Lunch

1.10pm – 2pm, 9 July 2024 ‐ 50 mins

Breaks

Stakeholder management for sustainable maritime development

2pm – 2.30pm, 9 July 2024 ‐ 30 mins

Human Contributions

• Specifics of stakeholder engagement in the context of sustainable maritime development
• Brief definitions of social sustainability and stakeholder management, identifying the stakeholders in social sustainability
• An overview of the unique challenges of managing stakeholders with a specific focus on social sustainability
• In focus: attraction and retention of cadets as a stakeholder management issue

Speakers

Alina Prylipko SIMarEST

Lecturer, World Maritime University

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Health and safety considerations for operating with new technologies

2.40pm – 3.10pm, 9 July 2024 ‐ 30 mins

Human Contributions

• Safety practices for large capacitors and lithium-ion batteries in ship electrification
• Developing new safety standards for emerging technologies
• Maintaining safety standards without compromising operational progress, finding the right equilibrium between owner requirements, crew protection and client expectations
• Training needs for safety protocols around new fuels and technologies, maintaining demanding maintenance levels as complexity increases
• The potential health and safety pitfalls of relying solely on automation, advocating for balanced human-machine interaction

Afternoon Break

3.10pm – 3.50pm, 9 July 2024 ‐ 40 mins

Breaks

Shaping the future of marine engineering: training & talent

3.50pm – 4.20pm, 9 July 2024 ‐ 30 mins

Human Contributions

• Developing and training young engineers specifically for the unique demands of the industry
• The potential impact of AI on employment and training within the sector
• Strategies for retaining talent and minimising training costs through effective team development, creating a motivating and rewarding work environment

Speakers

John Chudley FIMarEST

Chair, Engineering Council

Find out more

Roundtable 4: Autonomy, Security, and Responsibility in Maritime Operations

4.30pm – 5.15pm, 9 July 2024 ‐ 45 mins

Roundtables

• What is the optimal level of human involvement in autonomous operations? What type of training for personnel involved in autonomous operations?
• Should we view AI as an intelligent assistant, enhancing human capabilities, or a potential usurper of decision-making? Will AI be relied on too heavily and not be questioned enough?
• Is it possible to create truly tamper-proof remote systems, and what are the security challenges we must address?
• Who bears the ultimate responsibility for accidents involving autonomous ships? Who would be ultimately responsible if there is no ship’s Master on board? Legislative gaps and ethical frameworks need exploring
• Where do we draw the ethical line, especially in combat scenarios? What's the ideal level of automation for different ship functions? What happens in the event of an accident at sea when the nearest ship is an autonomous vessel?

Roundtable 1: Responsible AI in Shipping

4.30pm – 5.15pm, 9 July 2024 ‐ 45 mins

Roundtables

• Advocating for an ethical approach to AI integration, ensuring human oversight and decision-making remain central
• The critical role of clean, well-organized data in maximising AI's effectiveness and reliability within the maritime industry
• The importance of transparent and explainable AI algorithms, building trust and understanding among stakeholders
• International cooperation in developing AI standards and regulations for responsible use in the maritime domain
• The need for upskilling and reskilling initiatives to prepare the workforce for the evolving landscape of AI-powered shipping
• Examine the potential to use existing skills in different ways

Speakers

Professor Adam Sobey

Program Director, Turing Institute

Find out more

Roundtable 7: The crew of the future - Optimising ship O&M with autonomy

4.30pm – 5.15pm, 9 July 2024 ‐ 45 mins

Roundtables

• How can PMS and operational data inform the optimal balance of crew and autonomous systems onboard, ensuring efficiency and safety? 
• Is there currently enough high-quality, standardised operational data to fully leverage the potential of autonomous technologies?
• What new job opportunities will emerge with automation, requiring different skill sets and expertise?
• Remote Control of the Seas: Can remote manoeuvrability for cargo exchange and docking revolutionise operational efficiency and safety?
• How will automation truly impact personnel needs? Will it eliminate jobs, or simply shift them to remote roles?

Speakers

Kevin Daffey FIMarEST

VP Governmental Engineering, Rolls-Royce Solutions

Find out more

Roundtable 2: Navigating Change - Culture & Ownership in Shipbuilding

4.30pm – 5.15pm, 9 July 2024 ‐ 45 mins

Roundtables

• Strategies for identifying and aligning the needs of diverse stakeholders, ensuring net gains solutions for ship design and construction
• The need for more collaboration between engineering and design teams
• The crucial role of soft skills like teamwork, communication, and adaptability in creating a successful and positive workplace culture
• The impact of investment funds and brokers on the ship ownership market, including potential consequences for O&M quality and new build standards

Roundtable 5: Building the Future Workforce - Attracting & Retaining Top Talent

4.30pm – 5.15pm, 9 July 2024 ‐ 45 mins

Roundtables

•  The negative effects of new employment contracts on ship training and O&M
• Taking a holistic approach to talent development, providing support at all stages of the career journey, from recruitment to upskilling and career progression
• Strategies to attract younger generations to the marine industry, highlighting its unique offerings, career potential, and commitment to innovation
• The need for improved career development programs and targeted recruitment to ensure the right talent fills critical roles within the industry
• The necessary mindset shift, educational adaptations, and specialised training required for technicians and engineers to handle new fuels

Roundtable 8: Human-centered shipbuilding

4.30pm – 5.15pm, 9 July 2024 ‐ 45 mins

Roundtables

• The feasibility and challenges of retrofitting existing ships for multi-fuel use, considering technical, economic, and logistical factors
• The risks and rewards associated with adopting emerging fuel technologies in shipbuilding, emphasising informed decision-making and collaboration
• The human element of digitisation in shipyards, ensuring successful technology adoption and workforce upskilling
• Inclusive approaches where designers and users work together, creating ships that prioritise efficiency, safety, and crew well-being
• Building effective training programs for engineers and technicians on the principles and applications of human-centred design in shipbuilding

Roundtable 6: Navigating Future Marine Environmental Regulations

4.30pm – 5.15pm, 9 July 2024 ‐ 45 mins

Roundtables

• Evolution in regulations and anticipation of significant changes in marine environmental regulations over the next 25 years
• Global initiatives impacting shipping: COP 28 outcomes and triple planetary crisis
• High Seas Treaty and shipping responsibility
• Challenges and opportunities for the shipping industry
• Zero emissions and zero harmful discharges

Speakers

Sahan Abeysekara IEng IMarEng MIMarEST

Principal Specialist - Environment, Technical Directorate, Lloyds Register

Find out more

Roundtable 9: Unlocking Environmental Benefits of Offshore Surveys with New Technology

4.30pm – 5.15pm, 9 July 2024 ‐ 45 mins

Roundtables

• Opportunities for collaboration between commercial and research vessels, identifying shared goals and potential avenues for joint data collection and scientific investigation
• The economic benefits for commercial operators participating in scientific surveys, highlighting reputational gains and potential research partnerships
• The effectiveness of new technologies in minimising environmental impacts of offshore surveys, exploring areas for further development and research
• The importance of open data sharing and collaboration between stakeholders, maximising the environmental benefits of offshore surveys

Roundtable 3: Greenwashing or green giant? Demystifying decarbonisation in the maritime industry

4.30pm – 5.15pm, 9 July 2024 ‐ 45 mins

Roundtables

• Exposing greenwashing tactics and advocating for transparency in decarbonisation efforts within the maritime industry
• Realistic pathways and timelines for achieving decarbonisation goals, prioritising effectiveness over symbolic actions
• Industry-wide collaboration, knowledge sharing, and investment in proven technologies and sustainable fuels and examination of new ideas
• Frameworks for monitoring and reporting decarbonisation progress, ensuring accountability and preventing misleading claims

Registration and Networking Breakfast

8am – 9am, 9 July 2024 ‐ 1 hour

All Streams

Chair's Opening Remarks

9am – 9.15am, 9 July 2024 ‐ 15 mins

All Streams

Speakers

Professor Ralph Rayner FIMarEST

Professorial Research Fellow, Grantham Research Institute and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Co-chair IMarEST Operational Oceanography SIG

Find out more

Navigating the Uncharted Waters: Unveiling the Future of Ships & Shipping

9.15am – 10am, 9 July 2024 ‐ 45 mins

All Streams

This opening plenary will dissect the interconnected forces of technology, human factors, and the environment, unveiling the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. It will involve three high-level presentations with a subsequent panel discussion.

Demystifying fuel options and scrutinising the diverse fuel landscape, analysing available technologies, infrastructure capabilities, and long-term viability.

Examining the intricate web of regulations and political landscapes impacting them and the crucial role of stateled support. Determining how the fuels are perceived by the crew and also the public.

Achieving emission targets and Looking at the ripple effects of new fuel productions and evolving emission targets on the maritime industry's wider sustainability footprint and contribution to climate change mitigation.

10-minute presentation from each speaker followed by a 45-minute panel discussion with audience Q&A

Speakers

Professor Ralph Rayner FIMarEST

Professorial Research Fellow, Grantham Research Institute and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Co-chair IMarEST Operational Oceanography SIG

Find out more

Dr Richard Bucknall

Head of Mechanical Engineer, UCL, Maritime Research and Innovation UK

Find out more

A course to cleaner seas: Meeting emission targets in shipping

10.10am – 10.50am, 9 July 2024 ‐ 40 mins

Environment

• The current anti-pollution measures and the impact of upcoming changes, including the EU ETS and its reporting requirements.
• How major shipping companies prepare for stricter emissions regulations and potential penalties for non-compliance.

Speakers

Anthony Linden

Area Manager, DNV

Find out more

Morning Break

10.50am – 11.20am, 9 July 2024 ‐ 30 mins

Breaks

Achieving net zero carbon emissions and sustaining military capability on complex warships

11.20am – 11.50am, 9 July 2024 ‐ 30 mins

Environment

• The challenge of achieving net zero carbon emissions 
• Achieving net zero and sustaining military capability on complex warships
• Insight into the fundamental requirements for naval fuels and the potential alternatives.
• The problem of no obvious direct sustainable replacement for marine gas oil
• Observations to signpost and inform the direction of travel

Speakers

Richard Partridge FIMarEST

Chief of Naval Systems, Rolls-Royce Naval

Find out more

Unveiling the ocean depths: Seabed 2030 update

12pm – 12.30pm, 9 July 2024 ‐ 30 mins

Environment

• Hear an update from The Nippon Foundation and GEBCO on the Seabed 2030 project, aiming to map the entire ocean floor by 2030
• The latest findings and advancements in bathymetric mapping, shedding light on previously hidden features of our planet's underwater landscape
• The importance of international cooperation and data sharing in achieving this ambitious global project
• Potential applications of comprehensive seabed mapping, from resource exploration to climate change research
• Demonstrating how this can influence commercial operations

Speakers

Stephen Hall FIMarEST

Head of Partnerships, The Nippon Foundation & GEBCO Seabed 2030

Find out more

The art and science of removing plastic bottles from ships

12.40pm – 1.10pm, 9 July 2024 ‐ 30 mins

Environment

The talk will introduce the BIMCO best practice guide to removing plastic bottles from cargo ships- highlighting the following:

• Understanding the environmental Impact- introducing the impact of single-use plastic bottles, particularly in marine ecosystems, and the urgent need for the shipping industry to take proactive steps in reducing plastic waste.
• Exploring alternatives to Single-Use Plastic Bottles – introducing the various technologies and methods that can be used to replace single-use plastic bottles on ships- selecting the best system and what to do about bottles that cannot be removed
• Changing attitudes and behaviours - strategies for challenging seafarers' attitudes towards tap water and encouraging them to trust and consume water produced onboard – the role of testing regimes, engagement and dispelling misconceptions about tap water.

Speakers

Bev Mackenzie CSci CMarSci CMarSci(Oceanography) FIMarEST

Head of intergovernmental Engagement, BIMCO

Find out more

Lunch

1.10pm – 2pm, 9 July 2024 ‐ 50 mins

Breaks

Collaborative strategies for mitigating industry impacts on marine mammals: perspectives from global experts

2pm – 2.30pm, 9 July 2024 ‐ 30 mins

Environment

Fireside Chat: Exploring innovative approaches and international collaboration efforts to mitigate industry impacts on marine mammals, including insights on marine mammal mitigation from industry operations and the significance of protected areas.

Speakers

Ashley Noseworthy

President / CEO, Edgewise Environmental Ltd

Find out more

Niru Dorrian CSci CMarSci FIMarEST

Co-Chair Marine Mammals SIG, IMarEST

Find out more

LR clean hull notations: Delivering environmental and efficiency benefits

2.40pm – 3.10pm, 9 July 2024 ‐ 30 mins

Environment

• Environmental Impact: Hull Fouling vs GHG emissions
• Biofouling as a vector for the transfer of Invasive Alien Species (IAS)
• Energy efficiency during energy transition and beyond
• Synergy between energy efficiency and Biofouling management
• LR Clean Hull Notation Solution

Speakers

Sahan Abeysekara IEng IMarEng MIMarEST

Principal Specialist - Environment, Technical Directorate, Lloyds Register

Find out more

Afternoon Break

3.10pm – 3.50pm, 9 July 2024 ‐ 40 mins

Breaks

Decommissioning and recycling of marine infrastructure

3.50pm – 4.20pm, 9 July 2024 ‐ 30 mins

Environment

• Guidelines for decommissioning of marine infrastructure
• The impact of the Hong Kong Convention's entry into force, its key provisions, and how it will reshape ships decommissioning and recycling landscape
• Best practices for safe and environmentally sound recycling, emphasising responsible waste management and worker safety
• Remaining challenges in dismantling infrastructure, financing, and ensuring compliance, exploring potential solutions and innovations
• The future design of marine assets and promoting practices that facilitate easier and more sustainable end-of-life management
• Development of materials which are less hazardous to operators and the environment

Speakers

Dr Anand Hiremath

Head of the SSOR, GMS

Find out more

Roundtable 4: Autonomy, Security, and Responsibility in Maritime Operations

4.30pm – 5.15pm, 9 July 2024 ‐ 45 mins

Roundtables

• What is the optimal level of human involvement in autonomous operations? What type of training for personnel involved in autonomous operations?
• Should we view AI as an intelligent assistant, enhancing human capabilities, or a potential usurper of decision-making? Will AI be relied on too heavily and not be questioned enough?
• Is it possible to create truly tamper-proof remote systems, and what are the security challenges we must address?
• Who bears the ultimate responsibility for accidents involving autonomous ships? Who would be ultimately responsible if there is no ship’s Master on board? Legislative gaps and ethical frameworks need exploring
• Where do we draw the ethical line, especially in combat scenarios? What's the ideal level of automation for different ship functions? What happens in the event of an accident at sea when the nearest ship is an autonomous vessel?

Roundtable 1: Responsible AI in Shipping

4.30pm – 5.15pm, 9 July 2024 ‐ 45 mins

Roundtables

• Advocating for an ethical approach to AI integration, ensuring human oversight and decision-making remain central
• The critical role of clean, well-organized data in maximising AI's effectiveness and reliability within the maritime industry
• The importance of transparent and explainable AI algorithms, building trust and understanding among stakeholders
• International cooperation in developing AI standards and regulations for responsible use in the maritime domain
• The need for upskilling and reskilling initiatives to prepare the workforce for the evolving landscape of AI-powered shipping
• Examine the potential to use existing skills in different ways

Speakers

Professor Adam Sobey

Program Director, Turing Institute

Find out more

Roundtable 7: The crew of the future - Optimising ship O&M with autonomy

4.30pm – 5.15pm, 9 July 2024 ‐ 45 mins

Roundtables

• How can PMS and operational data inform the optimal balance of crew and autonomous systems onboard, ensuring efficiency and safety? 
• Is there currently enough high-quality, standardised operational data to fully leverage the potential of autonomous technologies?
• What new job opportunities will emerge with automation, requiring different skill sets and expertise?
• Remote Control of the Seas: Can remote manoeuvrability for cargo exchange and docking revolutionise operational efficiency and safety?
• How will automation truly impact personnel needs? Will it eliminate jobs, or simply shift them to remote roles?

Speakers

Kevin Daffey FIMarEST

VP Governmental Engineering, Rolls-Royce Solutions

Find out more

Roundtable 5: Building the Future Workforce - Attracting & Retaining Top Talent

4.30pm – 5.15pm, 9 July 2024 ‐ 45 mins

Roundtables

•  The negative effects of new employment contracts on ship training and O&M
• Taking a holistic approach to talent development, providing support at all stages of the career journey, from recruitment to upskilling and career progression
• Strategies to attract younger generations to the marine industry, highlighting its unique offerings, career potential, and commitment to innovation
• The need for improved career development programs and targeted recruitment to ensure the right talent fills critical roles within the industry
• The necessary mindset shift, educational adaptations, and specialised training required for technicians and engineers to handle new fuels

Roundtable 2: Navigating Change - Culture & Ownership in Shipbuilding

4.30pm – 5.15pm, 9 July 2024 ‐ 45 mins

Roundtables

• Strategies for identifying and aligning the needs of diverse stakeholders, ensuring net gains solutions for ship design and construction
• The need for more collaboration between engineering and design teams
• The crucial role of soft skills like teamwork, communication, and adaptability in creating a successful and positive workplace culture
• The impact of investment funds and brokers on the ship ownership market, including potential consequences for O&M quality and new build standards

Roundtable 8: Human-centered shipbuilding

4.30pm – 5.15pm, 9 July 2024 ‐ 45 mins

Roundtables

• The feasibility and challenges of retrofitting existing ships for multi-fuel use, considering technical, economic, and logistical factors
• The risks and rewards associated with adopting emerging fuel technologies in shipbuilding, emphasising informed decision-making and collaboration
• The human element of digitisation in shipyards, ensuring successful technology adoption and workforce upskilling
• Inclusive approaches where designers and users work together, creating ships that prioritise efficiency, safety, and crew well-being
• Building effective training programs for engineers and technicians on the principles and applications of human-centred design in shipbuilding

Roundtable 6: Navigating Future Marine Environmental Regulations

4.30pm – 5.15pm, 9 July 2024 ‐ 45 mins

Roundtables

• Evolution in regulations and anticipation of significant changes in marine environmental regulations over the next 25 years
• Global initiatives impacting shipping: COP 28 outcomes and triple planetary crisis
• High Seas Treaty and shipping responsibility
• Challenges and opportunities for the shipping industry
• Zero emissions and zero harmful discharges

Speakers

Sahan Abeysekara IEng IMarEng MIMarEST

Principal Specialist - Environment, Technical Directorate, Lloyds Register

Find out more

Roundtable 9: Unlocking Environmental Benefits of Offshore Surveys with New Technology

4.30pm – 5.15pm, 9 July 2024 ‐ 45 mins

Roundtables

• Opportunities for collaboration between commercial and research vessels, identifying shared goals and potential avenues for joint data collection and scientific investigation
• The economic benefits for commercial operators participating in scientific surveys, highlighting reputational gains and potential research partnerships
• The effectiveness of new technologies in minimising environmental impacts of offshore surveys, exploring areas for further development and research
• The importance of open data sharing and collaboration between stakeholders, maximising the environmental benefits of offshore surveys

Roundtable 3: Greenwashing or green giant? Demystifying decarbonisation in the maritime industry

4.30pm – 5.15pm, 9 July 2024 ‐ 45 mins

Roundtables

• Exposing greenwashing tactics and advocating for transparency in decarbonisation efforts within the maritime industry
• Realistic pathways and timelines for achieving decarbonisation goals, prioritising effectiveness over symbolic actions
• Industry-wide collaboration, knowledge sharing, and investment in proven technologies and sustainable fuels and examination of new ideas
• Frameworks for monitoring and reporting decarbonisation progress, ensuring accountability and preventing misleading claims