Futureproofing the maritime industry at the Asia Pacific Maritime 2018

Futureproofing the maritime industry at the Asia Pacific Maritime 2018
06/02/2018 http://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/futureproofing-the-maritime-industry...

The 15th Asia Pacific Maritime (APM), Southeast Asia’s most established maritime, workboat and offshore exhibition and conference will present its strongest lineup of keynote and conference speakers when it takes place in Singapore from 14 to 16 March 2018. Over 40 leaders and experts from across the global maritime industry will lead pertinent discussions on the major trends and issues shaping the maritime, workboat and offshore industries, whilst sharing their insights and forecast to help players forge the way forward. In addition to the inaugural APM Leaders’ Forum (14 March 2018), the three-day APM Conference will also cast the spotlight on the vessel market (15 March 2018), specifically the outlook for the tanker market, shifting trends in maritime finance and an in-depth look at Vietnam’s growing maritime industry.

Day three (16 March 2018) will see industry leaders examine the maritime industry’s priorities in marine fuels, the latest hybrid technologies and offshore prospects. “Whether in good times or in bad, the need to stay relevant is imperative to futureproof your business. APM seeks to help the maritime industry do just that by pulling together under one roof a powerhouse conference, comprehensive exhibition and high-value networking events to catalyse prospective business matches, drive profitable business relations and provide our delegates with the most relevant business contacts, including some of the industry’s most powerful personalities,” said Yeow Hui Leng, Senior Project Director, Asia Pacific Maritime.

Paving the future for the global maritime industry

The dynamism of the global maritime industry has also given industry leaders optimism for what 2018 has in store. “Global oil demand growth is strong and export-oriented refinery capacity is increasing to meet this demand. The shift of short-term oil market dynamics, coupled with underlying strong demand growth and declining supply growth, is setting the stage for a seasonable rebound, at least in the mid-range product tanker market,” said Gernot Ruppelt, Chief Commercial Officer, Ardmore Shipping Corporation.

Mr Ruppelt will be shedding more insights on the tanker market during his session on day two of the APM Conference. Other keynote speakers on day two include Capt. Michael Elwert, Group Chief Executive Officer, Elektrans; Nicolas Parrot, Managing Director, Head Transportation Sector Investment Banking Asia Pacific (Singapore), BNP Paribas Singapore; and Tim Wilkins, Environmental Director & Regional Manager Asia-Pacific, INTERTANKO.

The APM Conference will also play host to distinguished leaders from Vietnam’s maritime industry as they help industry players understand the development and potential of this emerging shipping hub in Southeast Asia. Strategically located along the major shipping route in the South China Sea, its burgeoning oil industry with its own reserves, rigs and refineries provide a strong foundation for maritime activity.

The extensive port infrastructure across its coastline is also well-poised to facilitate average annual export growth. Speakers include Bui Viet Hoai, Deputy General Director & Vice Chairman, Vietnam, Vietnam National Shipping Lines (VINALINES) & Vietnam Ship owners’ Association (VSA); Hai Bang Pham, Head of Sea Ship Classification & Registry Department, Vietnam, Ministry of Transport – Vietnam Registry, Vietnam; and Nguyễn Tất Hoàn, Deputy Director on Operation and Field Development PVEP POC and Director General of Seahorse Yacht, Vietnam. With climate change an ever-growing global concern, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) announced last October that it would implement a global cap on marine sulfur emissions in January 2020.

Further restrictions on nitrous oxide (NOx) emissions will take place in January 2021, and longerterm carbon dioxide (CO2) marine emissions might also be curbed. “The international shipping community faces a tough situation, as vessel owners and operators will need to retrofit their vessels or do new-builds by 2020 in order to meet the IMO’s requirements. However, they must also consider the longer-term NOx and CO2 restrictions, and which technology will help them achieve a long-term, economically-viable and environmentally-friendly marine footprint,” said Dom LaVigne, Director of Government & Public Affairs – Asia Pacific/Middle East, Methanol Institute (MI).

Experts including Mr Dom LaVigne; Henning Gloystein, Energy Editor, Asia, Thomson Reuters; Per Christer Lund, PhD, Counsellor for Science & Technology, Royal Norwegian Embassy; and Dr Marc Perrin, in charge of the R&D Programme on LNG and International Development at ENGIE Lab CRIGEN (Center for Research and Innovation in Gas and New Energies) will discuss how fuel and technology solutions such as methanol and LNG are being implemented, and what is the best course moving forward.

Echoing Mr LaVigne’s sentiments for eco-friendly and energy efficient maritime equipment and technologies is Ms Xue Hua, Managing Director, Weichai Singapore Pte Ltd. “Hybrid technology and lithium battery technology in vehicle application are the recent talk of the town, and I foresee a shifting trend in the maritime sector towards the adoption of alternative or greener energy.” Insights from 23 maritime leaders, including Ms Xue’s, on how the maritime landscape will change in 2018 has been compiled into the #onething2018 e-book that will be available at the APM Conference.

Co-located partner conferences to address cyber threats and IP risks

Other co-located partner conferences include Digital Ship’s Maritime Cyber Resilience Forum (15 March 2018) to tackle the omniscient cyber threat growing across all sectors. With increasing reliance on technology, cyber resilience becomes business-critical to protect operations, processes and data Page 3 from attacks, damage or security breaches. The Intellectual Property (IP) Management and Enforcement in the Maritime Industry (16 March 2018) will debate on intellectual property (IP) issues in the maritime industry and strategies to protect against risks.

Talent-building at APM

Talent remains a critical success factor for the future of the maritime industry. To engage tomorrow’s maritime leaders and build talent, APM will hold a new Career & Skills Pavilion for professionals in the maritime industry seeking prospective career, networking, and training and development opportunities throughout the sector. Top talent development agencies participating include CPP Asia Pacific, Direct Search Asia, Facilitators Network Singapore, Gemini Personnel, Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology (IMarEST) and the Singapore Association of Shipsuppliers and Services (SASS) Academy. Gemini Personnel will also be offering a complimentary Workplace Culture psychometric assessment to the first 100 visitors at their booth each day.

Networking at the heart of APM

Also forming the backbone of APM are its networking events, which have been revamped with a more targeted approach. New next year is the series of six thematic networking sessions tailored to bring together international companies and buyers from Asia with similar interests to forge new partnerships. The six themes are: Powering the way forward – next generation marine power; Best in class marine equipment and fitting; IMO 2020 vision: Preparing for the new global sulphur cap; Competing on a global playing field in terms of shipbuilding; The future of maritime shipping – transforming shipping industry with ICT and digitalisation; and Lubricant, coating and corrosion. Using the APM Recommendation Tool that crosses data to match common business interests, buyers will be connected to the relevant exhibitors while for exhibitors, the tool actively recommends them to their most targeted audience at the exhibition. Other events organised for APM delegates to network include the inaugural APM Networking Golf event (13 March 2018) organised in partnership with Singapore Maritime Network (SMN), which brings together top leaders in the maritime community for both business and leisure connections.

Source: Asia Pacific Maritime