The recent Capital Link forum in Athens addressed crucial challenges in the maritime sector, spotlighting the push for net-zero emissions. Discussions emphasized the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence and digitalization in enhancing shipping sustainability and efficiency. Key takeaways stressed that achieving decarbonization requires immediate operational improvements alongside the adoption of future fuels and new technologies.
Welcome remarks made by Mr. Nicolas Bornozis, President – Capital Link, Inc. Ms. Olga Stavropoulou, Director General – HELMEPA.
OPENING KEYNOTE REMARKS presented by Mr. Christopher J. Wiernicki Chairman and CEO ABS.
CELEBRATING STRONG U.S.-GREECE MARITIME TIES FROM THE UNITED STATES
Mr. Joshua Huck Chargé d’ Affaires U.S. Embassy in Athens, Greece in his address focused on the Revitalisation of US maritime sector with the partnership of Greece a leading maritime nation. Mr. Vasilis Kikilias expressed his pride in representing Greek shipping a dominant trade power in the world and E.U. controlling 20% of tonnage worldwide and 61% of EU fleet.
A debate on net zero- Navigating between the ambition and reality was moderated by Mr. Christopher J. Wiernicki, Chairman and CEO – ABS with Panelists Mr. Roel Hoenders, Head of Climate Action and Clean Air, Marine Environment Division – IMO, Mr. Philippos Philis, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer – Lemissoler Navigation Co. Ltd; President – ECSA European Shipowners (2022-2024), Ms. Ioanna Procopiou, Managing Director – Prominence Maritime; President Designate – BIMCO; Member of the Board – Union of Greek Shipowners, Ms. Charis Plakantonaki, Chief Strategy Officer – Star Bulk Carriers Corp. (NASDAQ: SBLK) . Long term planning is needed in shipping and for the time being there is no infrastructure for alternative fuels even LNG cannot be bunkered worldwide said Mrs Prokopiou. Investments in the green require a great amount of capital therefore generous incentives are needed to be provided to move forward, remarked Mrs Plakantonaki. The levy proposal is a more affordable solution by the shipping industry, pointed out Mr. Phillis.
The next panel discussed the issue of artificial intelligence & maritime transformation and Moderated by Mr. Spyridon Zolotas, Vice President, South Europe, Marine – RINA Panelists: • Mr. Gary Lloyd, Chief of Architecture and Strategy – 90 Percent of Everything (90POE) • Mr. Alex Hadjipateras, COO – Dorian LPG Ltd. (NYSE: LPG) • Ms. Eleni Polychronopoulou, President – ERMA TECH GROUP; BoD Member – HELMEPA • Mr. Tim Ponath, CEO – NSB Group • Mr. Theo G. Baltatzis, General Manager – Technomar Shipping.
Dorian has embraced AI in the maintenance and daily operations of its fleet and looking to the future AI will be installed in new building, said Mr. Hadjipateras.
Technomar is putting emphasis on the Performance data analysis and regulatory compliance, remarked Mr. Baltatzis.
Mrs Polychropoulou referred to the role of AI in monitoring air emissions and data collection and pointed out that AI is an essential tool in all spectrum of the company’s operations optimising the performance and efficiency of all tasks. Mr. Ponath focused on the decarbonisation process and other aspects like crew training looking this tool as an opportunity to develop. Digitalisation moves very fast therefore you need partnerships to develop integrated systems covering the needs of your clients emphasised Mrs Polychronopoulou.
AI tools are also necessary in improving safety, transparency avoiding legal implications added Mr. Hadjipateras.
The theme of the 3rd panel was: CHARTING A COURSE FOR OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE BALANCING SAFETY, SUSTAINABILITY, AND EFFICIENCY.
It was moderated by Mr. Leonidas Karystios, Regional Business Development Manager – DNV Maritime with Panelists: • Mr. Stylianos Psillakis, Technical Director – Columbia Shipmanagement Greece • Mr. Dimitris Vastarouchas, Chief Operating Officer & Vice President – Danaos Corporation (NYSE: DAC) • Mr. Evangelos Sfakiotakis, Chief Operating Officer – Diana Shipping Services S.A. • Mr. Dimitris Patrikios, Managing Director – V.Ships Greece.
The speakers elaborated on the issues of decarbonisation and sustainability and the need to sustain a constructive dialogue and channels of collaboration to share data and knowledge.
FROM DATA TO DECISIONS: THE ROLE OF INTELLIGENT SOFTWARE IN MARITIME OPERATIONS Presented By: Ms. Staci Satterwhite, Chief Executive Officer – ABS Wavesight
A KEYNOTE ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION Moderated: Mr. Christopher J. Wiernicki, Chairman and CEO – ABS. The following Panelists discussed the issues of decarbonisation and sustainability: Mr. Paolo d' Amico, Chairman – INTERTANKO (2018-2024); Chairman – d' Amico International Shipping S.A. (BIT:DIS; OTCQX: DMCOF) • Mr. Dimitrios Fafalios, Chairman – INTERCARGO (2019-2024); President / Director – Fafalios Shipping S.A.; Secretary of the Board of Directors – Union of Greek Shipowners • Ms. Karrie Trauth, Executive Vice President Shipping and Maritime – Shell plc; Vice President – UK Chamber of Shipping. Mr. Fafalios underlined that we must decarbonise our industry with respect to the basic values and principles of the shipping practices. He also pointed out that shipping is highly efficient mean of transportation and he expressed his belief that will be absolutely ready to meet 2050 targets.
Mr. D’ amico told that the regulators must regulate the technology which is advancing and not that one that does not exist. He also explained the crucial role of the maritime training in creating a more sustainable environment. Mr. Fafalios also pointed out that if nuclear power is used onboard then we need to train steam engineers an old fashioned shipping profession.
THE “2025 CAPITAL LINK MARITIME SUSTAINABILITY AWARD” was Presented to both Mr. Paolo d'Amico, Chairman – INTERTANKO (2018-2024); Chairman – d'Amico International Shipping S.A. (BIT:DIS; OTCQX: DMCOF) • Mr. Dimitrios Fafalios, Chairman – INTERCARGO (2019-2024); President / Director – Fafalios Shipping S.A.; Secretary of the Board of Directors – Union of Greek Shipowners. Mr D’ amico was Introduced by Dr. Nikolas P. Tsakos, Founder & CEO – TEN Ltd. (NYSE: TEN); Chairman – INTERTANKO (2014-2018). He said that he was the most successful president of Intertanko following at the same time the traditional and well established values of the shipping industry. The award for Mr. Fafalios was introduced by Mr. John Xylas, Chairman – INTERCARGO; President and CEO – Ariston Navigation Corp.; Member of the Board – Union of Greek Shipowners. He said that Mr. Fafalios continues a long family tradition in shipping from Vrontados in Chios. He has studied naval architect and served as Intertanko’s president from 2020-2024 putting emphasis in the safety matters and decarbonisation process of the shipping industry. Mr. Fafalios accepting the award underlined that safety and sustainability must go hand in hand.
A very interesting panel discussion was conducted by Ms. Elina Papageorgiou, Global Strategic Growth Director & Vice President, Greece & Cyprus – Lloyd's Register with panelists: • Dr. George D. Pateras, Deputy Chairman – Contships Management Inc; Former President – Hellenic Chamber of Shipping (2016-2025) • Mr. Marcos C. Vassilikos, Managing Director – Eurobulk • Mr. Georgios Plevrakis, Senior Advisor – Head of Business Development Strategy and Market Development Europe – Hanwha Ocean • Dr. Loukas Barmparis, President – Safe Bulkers, Inc. (NYSE: SB) • Mr. George Saroglou, President & Chief Operating Officer – TEN Ltd. (NYSE: TEN).
The speakers discussed almost all challenges of shipping like energy security, geopolitic developments, regulations, decarbonisation, crew training on alternative fuels and new technologies including fleet renewal strategies.
A presentation under the title SHAPING THE FUTURE: NEXT-GEN SHIPS AND POWER OF MARITIME INNOVATION DRIVEN BY DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION was delivered by Dr. Toshiro Arima, Executive Director, Executive Vice President – ClassNK.
Last but not least the following panel discussion took place that attracted the audience’s interest to the end of the afternoon:
- SECURING THE MARITIME WORKFORCE OF TODAY & TOMORROW: STRATEGIES FOR RECRUITMENT, RETENTION, TRAINING & WELLBEING
Moderator: Mr. Michalis Pantazopoulos, Senior Vice-President – Liberian Registry (LISCR Hellas) Panelists: • Capt. Panagiotis Drosos, Managing Director – Capital Ship Management Corp. • Ms. Amalia Marcou, Crewing Director – Enesel • Ms. Metaxia Psalti, COO – Neda Maritime Agency Co. Ltd.; Vice Chair – INTERCARGO • Mr. Marinos Kokkinis, Managing Director – OneCare Group.
-FROM CADET TO CAPTAIN – REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE THE SEAFARERS’ PERSPECTIVE
Moderator: Mr. Andreas Zarnavelis, Designated Person Ashore & HSQ-Manager – Tsakos Group Panelists: • Capt. Konstantinos Dimanis, Captain – Tsakos Group • Capt. Konstantina Giannaraki, Captain – Tsakos Group • Mr. Nikolaos Markou, Chief Engineer – Tsakos Group • Mr. Michail Petrou, Deck Cadet – Senior Student – Tsakos Group • Ms. Fani Chatzidiamanti, Engine Cadet – First Year Student – TEENS Merchant Marine Academy • Mr. Georgios-Ioannis Pantechakis, ETO Cadet – First Year Student – TEENS Merchant Marine Academy.
-PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER - SHIPOWNERS’ ROUNDTABLE COMPETITIVENESS & OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE
Moderator: Ms. Paillette Palaiologou, Senior Vice President M&O East Europe, Mediterranean Sea, Middle East, Africa & India (EMA) – Bureau Veritas Panelists: • Mr. Antonis Kanellakis, Executive Director – Alpha Bulkers, Pantheon Tankers, & Alpha Gas; Member of the Board – Union of Greek Shipowners • Ms. Semiramis Paliou, Chief Executive Officer – Diana Shipping Inc. (NYSE: DSX); Chairperson – HELMEPA & INTERMEPA; Member of the Board – Union of Greek Shipowners • Mr. Paolo Enoizi, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer – GasLog • Mr. Thomas Lister, Chief Executive Officer – Global Ship Lease, Inc. (NYSE: GSL).
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