The best golf event in Greece and Cyprus, Greek Maritime Golf Event, will take place for the 9 th year, on September 7-10, 2023, at Costa Navarino, Messinia, drawing the attention of the global and Greek maritime industry. 
Golf & Maritime Industry join forces once again for a good cause The Greek Maritime Golf Event is a tournament that proves with actions its social work every year. This year, the top golf event will support Parents Association of Childrenwith Cancer “Floga”. More specifically, during this year’s award ceremony to the winners and winning teams respectively, on Saturday, September 9, attendees will have the opportunity to directly contribute the amount they wish by taking part in the raffles for significant lottery prizes. The total amount collected will be given to Floga, which stands by children suffering from cancer and their families, fights for better medical, mental, and social care for them, shares their fears and concerns, supports their struggle in any way possible, and vindicates substantial presence and in issues relevant to the medical, mental and social care of these children. For more information about Floga: www.floga.org.gr
In the context of this year’s event, the president of the Parents Association of Children with Cancer “Floga”, Ms. Maria Trifonidis stated: “Floga is a Panhellenic Association of parents of children with cancer that now counts 41 years of dynamic presence and social work alongside children suffering from cancer and their families, from diagnosis to the end of their treatment. In the guest rooms of Floga, 50 families from all over Greece are accommodated completely free of charge for as long as the children undergo treatment in the Oncology Departments of the Pediatric Hospitals of Athens. In childhood cancer, there is no prevention, but there is an early diagnosis that can lead to a cure for more children.
Together, we can break down prejudice. We thank everyone who in one way or another supports our work and enables us to realize our goals”.

Two Game Days & a Golf Clinic
This year’s event returns to the two signature 18-hole courses The Dunes Course and The Bay Course, in an idyllic landscape full of centuries-old olive trees with a stunning view of the Ionian Sea, the historic bay of Navarino and the picturesque port of Pylos. On Friday, September 8, participants will take part in the shotgun scramble held at The Bay Course. On Saturday, September 9, the golfing action moves to The Dunes Course for another shotgun scramble. Teams will compete to win the top three positions in the overall standings, whereas special awards will be given to individual players who will achieve the best scores in the “Longest Drive” and “Closest to the Pin” categories.
Finally, non-golfers will have the opportunity to attend the Golf Clinic that will take place on Saturday, September 9, at The Dunes Course.

Significant companies embrace the event
Greek Maritime Golf Event is attended by some of the most significant maritime companies from Greece and Cyprus, and many other important Greek companies that support the event.
IRI/The Marshall Islands Registry is the event’s Platinum Sponsor.
Mainline Shipping Company is the event’s Gold Sponsor.
Aegean Baltic Bank, Arrow Hellas, DNV, Marine Tours, and Swift Marine are the event’s Silver Sponsors.
Miele is the Official Sponsor.
Poseidonia Restaurant and Grey Goose are the Official Supporters.
Under Armour is the Official Clothing Partner.
Messinian Spa is the event’s Official Beauty Partner.
Minoa Water is the event’s Official Water.
Karalis Beach Hotel, Miran, Athi Rodi, and Daily Deli are the event’s Partners.
Costa Navarino, The Margi, Tsikeli Boutique Hotel Meteora, Iliada Sunset Suites,
Namaste Boutique Apartments, Marmari Bay Hotel, Ogarden Suites, Grand Meteora Hotel, and Platanos Steakhouse are the Auction Partners.
Boo Productions is the Audio Visual Partner.
The event will be held under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism.
Greek Maritime Golf Event is organized by Birdie Events, through an initiative of the recognized Greek PGA golfer, Mr. Thanos Karantzias. The Sports Marketing Agency of the Year ActiveMedia Group has undertaken the event’s Golf Production.
The golf tournament is exclusively addressed to distinguished executives of the maritime industry.
#greekmaritimegolfevent #costavarino

Photo Credit: Greek Maritime Golf Event 

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ABB has received an order from the Guangzhou Shipyard International to supply Azipod® DI propulsion system for the new compact icebreaker of China’s Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering. The ship is expected to be delivered in 2025, after which it will begin to carry out operations in the Arctic and Antarctic Ocean.
A complete electric propulsion system including two 4.5 MW Azipod® units will drive the vessel through harsh weather and thick first-year ice to enable research on behalf of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The 103-meter vessel will have a maximum speed of 16 knots, draft displacement of about 9,200 tons, and icebreaking capacity of 1.2 meters ice and 20 cm snow at the continuous speed of two knots. The ship is designed to operate both bow first and astern in ice with an enhanced Polar Class 4 (PC4) ice-breaking level. With a capacity of cruising range of 15,000 nautical miles, it can accommodate a crew of 80 people.
The new research vessel will be equipped to China Classification Society (CCS) LEVEL 2 notation standards on digitalization and fulfill Underwater Rated Noise SILENT A notation. SILENT A notation covers vessels that are ‘acoustically sensitive’, whose underwater noise emissions are controlled to benefit data capture and minimize ecological impact. The criteria are designed to limit high frequency noise while mitigating the practical challenges of reducing low frequency noise from propellers and the main engine.
“ABB has extensive experience and a strong local presence in delivering propulsion products, systems and support we can trust,” said Mr. Guangwei He, Vice Chief Engineer of Guangzhou Shipyard International Company Limited. “Polar Class vessels represent a growing area of expertise for GSI, and we are delighted to work with a reliable partner whose reference list for proven technology in this demanding segment is unrivalled.”
“We are honored to have been chosen to cooperate with GSI again,” said Kerry Yang, Local Division Manager, ABB Marine & Ports China. “This marks the 20th year since ABB Marine & Ports established itself locally in China and we continue to take great pride in localizing our products and services to meet regional requirements in the best possible way.”
The propulsion units supplied will represent ABB’s compact Azipod® DI range, which has been developed for both robustness and simplicity, and to offer strength and reliability in the most challenging ice conditions.
Working with shipbuilders worldwide, ABB technology has been installed on over 150 ice-class and icebreaking vessels. Azipod® propulsion system has been central in the success, establishing itself as the ice-going propulsion solution of choice over a 30-year period. With the electric drive motor situated in a submerged pod outside the hull and the ability to rotate 360 degrees, Azipod® units enable independent ice-breaking and significantly better maneuverability compared to shaftline solutions.
ABB’s Process Automation business automates, electrifies and digitalizes industrial operations that address a wide range of essential needs – from supplying energy, water and materials, to producing goods and transporting them to market. With its ~20,000 employees, leading technology and service expertise, ABB Process Automation helps customers in process, hybrid and maritime industries improve performance and safety of operations, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. go.abb/processautomation
ABB is a technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. The company’s solutions connect engineering know-how and software to optimize how things are manufactured, moved, powered and operated. Building on more than 130 years of excellence, ABB’s ~105,000 employees are committed to driving innovations that accelerate industrial transformation.

Image: Illustration of the polar research Icebreaker. Image credit, Guangzhou Shipyard International Company Limited

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The order of two state-of-the-art, largest CO2 carriers ever contracted constitutes not only a historical milestone for the Capital Group (‘Capital), but for the industry as a whole. It also underscores the company’s commitment to playing a leading role in the global decarbonization efforts, as actions always speak louder than words.
Capital Gas Ship Management Corp.  proceeded to the order of the two first-ever state-of-the-art 22,000-cbm liquid CO2 (LCO2) carriers at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard, S.Korea to be delivered in 2025-2026.
 The company expects the maritime transportation of CO2 to become a rapidly growing market, in which it aims to hold the premier position.
These trailblazing vessels are designed to carry up to 22,000 cubic meters of liquified CO2 at -55 degrees Celsius, making them unparalleled in terms of capacity and functionality, while also boasting the capability to transport ammonia and LPG, setting a new standard in trading flexibility. They are also equipped with numerous energy-saving devices and have been prepared among others for LNG and other alternative propulsion fuels, while they are carbon capture and AMP (cold ironing) ready.
The specification of these vessels is the outcome of meticulous planning and innovative execution of the company’s technical team, embodying the company's commitment to in-house expertise and progressive thinking. In choosing Hyundai Mipo Dockyard for this ambitious project, the company reaffirms the importance Capital assigns in aligning with top-tier partners, who reflect its own commitment to excellence.
This investment in state-of-the-art technology marks another landmark in Capital’s strategic commitment to building a futureproof “energy transition” fleet, as Capital controls a fleet of 18 latest generation dual fuel (DF) LNG carriers equipped with two-stroke engines and a fleet of six DF/LNG Suezmaxes and six DF/LNG Aframaxes/LR2s.
The signing of the agreement for the construction of the 2 pioneering LCO2 Carriers took place at Capital's offices, where, among others, the following were present: Mr. Evangelos M. Marinakis, Chairman and Founder of Capital Maritime & Trading Corp., Mr. Jerry Kalogiratos, CEO of Capital Product Partners LP, Mr. Spyros Leoussis, Chief Commercial Officer of Capital Product Partners LP, Mr. Nicholas Los, Director of Curzon Shipbrokers Corp., Mr. Miltos Zisis, Managing Director of Capital Gas Ship Management, Mr. Nikolas Vaporis, Chief Technical Officer of Capital Ship Management, Ms. Alexandra Xystra, Technical Director of Capital Gas Ship Management, Dr. Niki Kalogiratou Kalogiratou, Chief Communication Officer, Capital Ship Management, Mr. Stergios Stergiou, Green Shipping & Sustainability Director, Capital Ship Management. Representing Hyundai Heavy Industries were Mr. S.Y. Park, Chief Operating Officer & Senior Executive Vice President, Mr. Y.H. Yeo, EVP & MD of the London Office, Mr. S.D. Yoon, SVP & Head of Athens Office, Mr. J.H. Kim, SVP (HMD Sales). Mr. S.H. KIM, Senior Manager, Athens Office. Also in attendance was Mr. Sid Nair, Newbuildings Director of Clarksons, while Lloyd's Register was represented by Ms. Elina Papageorgiou, Vice President for Greece, and Mr. Andrew McKeran, Chief Commercial Officer. Marshall Islands International Registries were represented by Mr. Theo Xenakoudis, Chief Commercial Officer, and Mr. Vasilis Kamitsis, Regional Technical Manager. 
Capital Gas Ship Management Corp. currently operates a fleet of 20 modern LNG Carriers and 2 pioneering LCO2 carriers with a total carrying capacity of approximately 3.13 million cubic meters and a total dwt of 1.47 Tons.

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Operating in a firm market that underpinned yet another quarter of high profitability Stealthgas the Nasdaq listed company reported for the first six months the strongest performance on record, with an EPS of $0.71. CEO Harry Vafias of STEALTHGAS inc commented “During the second quarter we further divested assets in a rising market and will continue to diversify the fleet with the timely addition of bigger sized vessels. We were also largely focused on reducing debt, repaying $105million during the quarter alone, thus greatly reducing our interest rate expenses. At the same time our Board authorised us to repurchase shares that we started doing late in the previous quarter. Up to now we have repurchased over 1million common shares and will continue. We are at the fortunate position where we can deleverage, diversify, repurchase stock and maintain strong liquidity concurrently. Despite any seasonal fluctuations the market remains relatively firm and we expect and upturn in the winter months that are approaching. We remain positive for the medium-term outlook of the LPG shipping market”.

OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

• • All-time record Net Income of $27.3 million for the six-month period corresponding to a basic EPS of $0.71. Strong profitability continued for the second quarter with Net Income of $10.5 million for the three-month period corresponding to a basic EPS of $0.27.
• • About 80% of fleet days are secured on period charters for the remainder of 2023, with total fleet employment days for all subsequent periods generating approximately $90 million (excl. JV vessels) in contracted revenues. 
• • Concluded the previously announced sale of the Eco Czar, the Eco Nemesis, the Eco Texiana and the Eco Enigma. All four vessels were sold at a profit, two were delivered during Q2 23’ and two during Q3 23’.  
• • Entered into an agreement to sell two more vessels, the Eco Dream and Eco Green with forward delivery in January 2024. 
• • Initiated a share repurchase program of up to $15 million. Up to August 11, 2023, 1.1 million shares had been repurchased.
• • Massively reduced debt by $104.9 million from $245.4 million as of March 31, 2023, net of deferred finance charges, to $140.5 million as of June 30, 2023.
• • Revenues at $36.7 million for Q2 23’ despite having reduced the number of vessels in the fleet from 34 vessels at the end of Q2 22’ to 29 vessels at the end of Q2 23’.

image:  CEO Harry Vafias of STEALTHGAS Inc.

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ABS Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Christopher J. Wiernicki, and the Board of Directors have elected John McDonald as President of ABS at its Board meeting on July 18. 
McDonald, who has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the company since July 2021, will take on the title of President and remain the Chief Operating Officer of the company.
“John McDonald has seized the opportunity to demonstrate his leadership skills since becoming Chief Operating Officer of ABS in 2021 and will now be given a further opportunity to showcase his strategic insight and leadership capabilities in the marine and offshore industries as he steps into the President’s position,” said Christopher J. Wiernicki, who will remain Chairman and CEO of ABS.   
McDonald joined ABS in 1996 as a surveyor and has served in various frontline roles in Korea, the Northern Europe and Africa Region and the Central Region for the former Americas Division. He previously held the position of Vice President of Occupational Health and Safety for both ABS Bureau and its affiliate, ABS Group, and led the former ABS Divisions in Europe and in the Pacific. He also has held operational leadership roles including Senior Vice President of the Western Hemisphere Survey Operations and as Senior Vice President of Global Business Development prior to becoming the Chief Operating Officer. McDonald has a bachelor’s degree in marine engineering from Maine Maritime Academy and an MBA from Texas A&M University.
By virtue of his election as President, McDonald will also join the ABS Board of Directors.

image: John McDonald new President of ABS

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 Aiming at the assessment of energy-saving devices (ESDs) produced by HEMEXPO member companies (Hellenic Marine Equipment Manufacturers and Exporters), an agreement was signed with the world’s leading classification society, DNV.
Under the terms of the agreement, in the first instance, DNV will review a makers list provided by HEMEXPO to identify ESDs that fall in the category of energy saving devices, according to DNV expertise. In the second step, DNV will assess which regulatory metrics – i.e., the Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) and the Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) – the relevant ESDs affect. Finally, the classification society will issue a letter of professional opinion for the HEMEXPO products that fall into the ESD category. This will confirm that the product is assessed as an ESD, as per step 1, and describe the regulatory metrics it influences, as per step 2.
Eleni Polychronopoulou, HEMEXPO President, said: “Our agreement with DNV is a significant breakthrough as it aligns closely with the need for an international standard on ESDs, and HEMEXPO’s endeavours to encourage the marine equipment industry’s transition towards green solutions, which HEMEXPO is working towards. ESDs support ship owners and yards in meeting their environmental sustainability objectives, and this agreement will facilitate the acceptance of impactful technologies within the maritime industry.”
Whether selected for retrofit or at the newbuilding stage, ESDs can help shipping companies improve their CII, EEXI and EEDI (Energy Efficiency Design Index) ratings – and as the maritime regulatory landscape evolves, their importance will only grow, Polychronopoulou added.
Chara Georgopoulou, Head of the Maritime R&D and Advisory - OCCS Manager for DNV Greece, commented: “We are pleased to sign an agreement with HEMEXPO to assess its energy-saving devices. The maritime industry has set ambitious sustainability targets and improvements to vessel efficiency and ESDs, alongside new fuels and digitalisation, can significantly contribute to achieving those goals. ESDs can be instrumental in helping to reduce fuel use, cut greenhouse gas emissions and fully contribute towards compliance. For wider adoption however, the industry needs confidence in the technology. By working together to review HEMEXPO member products, DNV is proud to help build this confidence and ensure that the shipping industry can use ESDs to meet its decarbonisation goals.”
HEMEXPO is committed to delivering environmentally friendly solutions and services to support shipping’s green transition. In addition to ESDs, its member companies offer sustainable technology including friction-reducing hull coatings, shore connection facilities and carbon capture systems.

image:  Eleni Polychronopoulou, HEMEXPO President

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Registro Italiano Navale, Fondo Italiano d’Investimento and RINA S.p.A have signed a new agreement aimed to allow the Italian fund to become a shareholder in RINA S.p.A., a multinational company based in Genoa, Italy.
The deal is expected to be completed in the autumn of 2023 and will involve an injection of up to 180 million euros in capital in the form of equity. After the deal’s completion, the ownership structure will see Registro Italiano Navale maintaining the majority stake, Fondo Italiano d’Investimento and other co-investors holding a minority stake of up to 33%, and the company's management participating with a 2.5% stake.
Fondo Italiano d’Investimento SGR will operate through an innovative structure that includes investments from Fondo Italiano Consolidamento e Crescita (FICC), Fondo Italiano Consolidamento e Crescita 2 (FICC 2), and, for the first time, a group of leading co-investors coordinated by Fondo Italiano. This transaction marks the first investment made by FICC 2, the second edition of the fund dedicated to supporting the growth and consolidation of Italian companies, which on this occasion also carried out, just one month after its launch, a first closing for a total of 245 million euro with cornerstone investors CDP Equity, Fondazione ENPAM, Intesa Sanpaolo, UniCredit, and other leading investors.
The capital injected by Fondo Italiano into the multinational based in Genoa, RINA S.p.A., is aimed at providing additional support for the company's growth, both organically and inorganically, as well as its international expansion. RINA S.p.A. has diversified significantly worldwide over the last twenty years, establishing itself as a brand in the fields of engineering consulting and Testing, Inspection & Certification (TIC).
In 2022, RINA S.p.A. reported pro-forma revenues of over 700 million euros, and it is on track to achieve growth objectives of nearly 800 million euros in 2023.
The Chairman and CEO of RINA S.p.A., Ugo Salerno, commented: “We have found the most suitable partner in Fondo Italiano d’Investimento to share our growth path and the realization of ambitious goals we have worldwide. It is a high-level institutional partner, Italian like us, with whom we will embark on a new phase for RINA and who will allow us to fully implement our strategic plan. Based on ESG principles, we will continue to expand our digital services and processes in favour of ecological transition: a journey that involves significant investments, made possible also thanks to the commitment of Fondo Italiano d'Investimento”.
Davide Bertone, CEO of Fondo Italiano d’Investimento, said: “Today, we announce the first closing and, at the same time, the first investment of the second edition of FICC, our flagship fund dedicated to promoting the development of national and global champions in strategic sectors of the Made in Italy. RINA represents Italian excellence, with a global presence, and leadership, as well as significant ambitions for further growth and innovation not only in the shipping sector but also in the energy transition and infrastructure sectors. I am extremely pleased with the partnership we are entering into today and the trust given to us by Registro Italiano Navale and Engineer Ugo Salerno, with whom we are delighted to collaborate in building another phase of development”.
To facilitate this agreement, RINA S.p.A. was advised by Lazard as the financial advisor, Banca Akros as the co-financial advisor, and PwC for financial Due Diligence and Studio Legale Gattai, Minoli, Partners as legal advisor.
On the other hand, Fondo Italiano d’Investimento was supported by BCG for business due diligence, Legance for legal due diligence, New Deal Advisors for financial due diligence, KPMG for tax due diligence, ERM for ESG due diligence, Marsh for insurance due diligence, and E&Y Parthenon for tech due diligence.
The completion of the transaction is subject to customary conditions, including regulatory approvals.

image: The Chairman and CEO of RINA S.p.A., Ugo Salerno

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Dr Efi Tsolaki, Chief Scientific Officer at ERMA FIRST, discusses the importance of training, after-sales support and proactive maintenance in achieving continuous compliance under the forthcoming implementation of D2 standard requirements for ballast water management.

With increasing visibility into the supply chain, consumers are taking an ever-greater interest in how the goods they order are transported from the warehouse to their door – specifically, they want insight into the carbon footprint of the transport methods used.
Consumer demand is already influencing how shipping companies operate having emerged as a driver of emissions-reduction strategies. So far, however, the average consumer knows little about the impact of ballast water discharges on marine ecosystems. If they did, suggests Dr Efi Tsolaki, Chief Scientific Officer at leading sustainable maritime solutions provider ERMA FIRST, “they may think twice before ordering products internationally, and this would force shipping companies into action.”
In the absence of consumer consciousness, the external pressures to drive responsible ballast water management have been slow acting. While the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention was initially agreed in 2004, meeting its ‘D2’ standard limitation on viable organisms permitted in ballast water discharged from ships only becomes a requirement from 8 September 2024.
Nevertheless, conforming with the D2 standard will rely on the implementation of an effective ballast water treatment system (BWTS), and many of the BWTS installed across the global fleet over the last 20 years will fail to meet the fast-approaching standard. Upgrades and replacements will be necessary.
But maintaining compliance will demand more than having an effective system in place, Dr Tsolaki explains.
“It’s not just about installing the right system; you have to ensure it remains compliant throughout the vessel lifecycle,” she says. “The D2 standard applies to every drop of ballast water discharged, and to ensure that each drop is compliant, the BWTS must be operating under normal conditions at all times. Before Port State Control and other authorities begin to enforce the regulation, ship owners should study their BWTS and ensure their crew know exactly how it works and how to keep it healthy.”
ERMA FIRST’s leading ballast water treatment system, the ERMA FIRST FIT BWTS, uses electrochlorination to disinfect ballast water. When developing the product, Dr Tsolaki says, the company found electrochlorination to be a more efficient alternative to ultraviolet sterilisation, which, although a valid means of ballast water treatment, typically involves an additional disinfection stage during discharge, resulting in higher energy demands.
To help users familiarise themselves with its BWTS, ERMA FIRST is offering a range of specialized training solutions. These include a computerised system that simulates ballasting and discharge scenarios; hands-on training using an operational BWTS on land; interactive digital courses on BWTS operation through the ERMA FIRST e-Learning platform including compliance with the BWM Convention; and advanced courses at its training centres in Greece and the Philippines.
The company has also developed through-life support for its BWTS, in a key strategy to ensure continuous compliance. Its ‘FIT and Care’ after-sales services include round-the-clock support and troubleshooting, commissioning testing, maintenance and annual calibration. “Our after-sales service approach is the opposite of ‘fit and forget’,” remarks Dr Tsolaki. “Through our worldwide network of certified engineers, we provide servicing and technical guidance until the day the ship is scrapped.”
Enriching ERMA FIRST’s after-sales capabilities is an artificial-intelligence feature powered by maritime technology provider METIS Cyberspace Technology. As the first example of AI functionality being embedded in a BWTS, the ‘Smart BWTS’ feature provides continuous monitoring and advanced data analytics, with users receiving valuable insights, customised reports and real-time alerts about critical events. This facilitates a shift towards proactive maintenance, ensuring the system remains functional and compliant while reducing operational and maintenance costs and minimising human error.
ERMA FIRST’s offering in the ballast water management domain also benefits from the company’s membership to BEMA – Ballast Water Equipment Manufacturers’ Association – at which Dr Tsolaki has previously served as both president and vice-president.
BEMA is a non-governmental organisation that represents BWTS manufacturers on the international stage and  provides guidance to industry stakeholders, including regulators and ship owners, on the function, design and performance of BWTS. As a BEMA Charter Member, ERMA FIRST participates in relevant global working groups and fora and contributes to the development and implementation of ballast water treatment regulations.
“We contribute by sharing our extensive knowledge and experience of producing, installing, and maintaining ballast water systems and the certification process to enhance cooperation between all Convention stakeholders, and to help them successfully navigate the journey towards compliance and implementation of the Convention in every possible way,” Dr Tsolaki concludes.

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The 35th Hellenic Marine Technical Committee Meeting of Bureau Veritas Piraeus took place on Thursday 22nd June 2023 at Grand Hyatt Hotel, Athens and was attended by more than 40 maritime industry technical leaders. The meeting was hosted by Mr. George Andreadis, Marine Chief Executive Greece and was chaired by the Committee Chairman, Mr. George Sarris, President of Enterprises Shipping & Trading S.A. The event was divided in two sessions. The first session opened with a presentation by Dr. John Kokarakis Technical Director of South East Europe, Black Sea and Adriatic Zone Bureau Veritas who gave a thorough presentation on EU and IMO regulatory frameworks, complemented by examples of their effects on vessel running costs. He was followed by Mr Panagiotis Anastasiou, Cyber Security Technical Leader Bureau Veritas, whose presentation was focused on cyber resilience of ships and systems and how the new IACS Requirements and update BV Rules and services help to achieve it. The first session closed with Mr Bill Stamatopoulos, Global Business Development Director Central & South East Europe Region, Verifuel, with a presentation about the charter party clause for fuels.
The second session of the Committee commenced with Mr Vassilis Dimoulas, Technology & Innovation Director of South East Europe, Black Sea and Adriatic Zone presenting two trending decarbonization technologies: Methanol as a fuel and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). The presentation was complemented nicely by the next and final one by Mrs Maria Lambardaki, Project Developer of South East Europe, Black Sea and Adriatic Zone Bureau Veritas who presented BV case studies for the effect of Methanol as fuel and CCS on CII, EU ETS and FuelEU. The Committee concluded with an open discussion on EU regulations.
Mr. Andreadis stated: “We are in a period of great change driven by regulation and changing markets – all supported by new technology and technical insight. In our committee we addressed key issues related to the energy transition and the digitalization of shipping. Marine classification, supported by our core product – class rules, is playing a vital role in helping ensure that the energy transition in, and digitalization of, the shipping industry will be safe while maximizing performance for sustainable outcomes. It is only by listening to and involving our clients and stakeholders that we can receive the input we need, so we thank them very much for taking part, for sharing their insights and for supporting us to help shape a better maritime world.”

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IMO enters a new era with the election of Arsenio Dominguez, current IMO Director of Environment, as the new Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization.
Last December, The AMP presented the candidacy of Naval Architect Arsenio Dominguez under the slogan “Taking the initiative for a united and better future”, as Secretary General of the IMO.
Arsenio Dominguez is the first Latin American and Panamanian in history to achieve this position.
Dominguez competed alongside Moin Uddin Ahmed of Bangladesh, Suat Hayri Aka of Turkey, Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry of Dominica, Nancy Karigithu of Kenya, Minna Kivimäki of Finland, and Zhang Xiaojie of China for the post.
“As an IMO member country, we extend our congratulations to all of them and look forward to continuing to work together for the maritime industry,” said Noriel Arauz, head of the Panama Maritime Authority and Minister of Maritime Affairs.
Mr. Dominguez has been Panama’s alternate representative to the IMO from 2004 until 2014 when he was appointed Panama’s Ambassador to the IMO and President of MEPC until 2017 when he joined the International Maritime Organization as Chief of Staff, then Administrative Director and Director of Marine Environment.
With the goal of serving IMO by “putting people and the planet first” the Secretary General-elect said during his campaign, “We must take the initiative to address the human element, including the safety, education, training and welfare of seafarers. Seafaring is not a profession like any other: it is rewarding, adventurous and dangerous; our job is to respect it”, which shows that he will prioritize the safety of seafarers in his term as Secretary General.
He also expressed his position on promoting technological innovation to make ships more efficient in their operation and considering the associated cyber risks, and his interest in coordinating the green and autonomous agenda to facilitate and maintain the security of international trade as new trends emerge.
Panama joined the IMO on December 31, 1958, becoming a member of the Council of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 1979. With the entry into force in 2002 of the 1993 amendments to the Convention Establishing the Organization, Panama has since been re-elected as a Category A member of the Council.
Mr. Dominguez’s election honors Panama, its maritime vocation, and dedication to this industry for more than a century.
https://www.panamaconsulate.gr/gr/en/articles/panamanian-arsenio-dominguez-is-elected-imos-secretary-general

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