Following the continuous changing shipping landscape the dry bulk sector strives to address the challenges and opportunities that have been created by the new environmental regulations, emerging technologies and the adoption of alternative fuels.
With the aim to help Greek shipping companies in their decarbonization journey and inform them for the latest developments in bulk carrier designs and operation, ABS held its Bulk Carrier Forum in Kavouri of Athens bringing together leaders and experts from the maritime value chain who discussed the energy transition and decarbonization goals that will shape the low-carbon future of bulk carriers and drive market grow.
Elias Kariambas, Vice President of Business Development in Greece of ABS welcomed the guests and presented the agenda of the forum.
Vasileios Gkikas, Director, Business Development, Global Lead on Bulk Carriers, ABS referred to the key factors of the Bulk Carrier segment such as the carbon neutral/ zero alternative fuels, standardized and streamlined designs, operational reliability availability and flexibility, crew awareness, multitude solutions approach, global uniformity vs regional regulations, access to financing, dry bulk owners spread, commodity sensitivity and China’s and India’s economic growth.
Stamatis Fradelos, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs of ABS presented the latest regulatory developments such as the IMO GHG Reduction Strategy. He observed they the shipping industry has become more efficient in terms of energy consumption however the air emissions are increasing because of the favorable market conditions.Mr Fradelos also examined the issues of mid- term measures, lifecycle guidelines of marine fuels, amendments to SEEMP, ECA standards, EU-ETS, FUEL-EU.
The Development of SDARI Bulk Carrier Design 2024 were discussed by Zhang Zhuo, Deputy Director, SDARI.
Bulk Carriers Challenges and Survey Trends were elaborated by Leonidas Noulas, Lead Surveyor of ABS.
A Panel Discussion with Key Stakeholders was conducted by Vasileios Gkikas regarding the Perspective and a Pragmatic Approach.
Panelists included Panos Zachariadis, Technical Director, Atlantic Bulk Carriers, Dimitrios Fafalios, Director, Fafalios Shipping, Nicholas Logan, Asset Deal Originator, Cargill Ocean Transportation and Basil Sakellis, Managing Director, Alassia Newships Management Inc.
Dimitrios Fafalios told that the sector must preserve its operating model and treated as Containerships and LNG Carriers and not fighting each other. He also expressed his concern if a ship that will be built in 2026 will continue to be operating in 15 years from now.
Basil Sakellis pointed out that energy transition is the biggest challenge of shipping as we are called to change the way we operate and maintain our vessels therefore we have to work more closely all together involved in the shipping industry addressing the issue of zero emissions.
Moreover he agreed that Greeks will thrive in the future provided that Europe stops shooting itself and penalizing European shipping.
Panos Zachariadis expressed his optimism about the effectiveness of the vessels’ designs and outlined what fuel looks green today may not look green tomorrow.
Nicholas Logan stated that charterers as Cargill are determined to lead the energy transition by incentivizing shipowners and sharing new ideas with them such as the adoption of renewable energy from wind and solar sources.
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