2013 SHIPPINGInsight Fleet Optimization Conference a Success

More than 100 delegates from 11 countries attended the second annual SHIPPINGInsight Fleet Optimization Conference, which was held Oct. 22-24, 2013 in Stamford, Conn. The organizers are already starting to make plans for next year’s conference, which is tentatively scheduled for mid-October 2014 in Stamford.

Participants and delegates represented all segments of the international maritime industry. They included 20 senior executives from major shipping companies, many of whom served as moderators and panelists, as well as major classification societies, industry experts and solution suppliers.

The agenda covered a full range of issues related to improving profitability in ship operations, including regulatory issues, ship design and construction, fuel and propulsion management, system performance monitoring, maintenance and onboard management, ship routing, hull treatment and power management. A dedicated LNG workshop featured eight industry experts who discussed all aspects of LNG as a marine fuel, including ship design and construction, transportation and storage, bunkering, propulsion systems, special handling requirements and crew training.

“Post-event evaluation forms reveal high levels of satisfaction with the conference content and quality,” said Frank Soccoli, conference co-director. “We are using the feedback from participants to fine-tune the conference agenda for next year.”

Highlights from the 2013 conference include:

• Two keynote speakers – Peter I. Keller, president of Sea Star Line, and Yasushi Nakamura, executive vice president of ClassNK
• 26 speakers
• 10 sponsors
• 21 exhibitors
• Dedicated LNG workshop
• Sponsored luncheons and networking reception in exhibit hall

“The conference provided valuable insight into the various topics associated with LNG as a fuel,” said Joe McKeown, fleet director of V Ships (US). “I have already shared conference information with a number of V Ships staff, and I look forward to participation next year.”

“The conference gave me an opportunity to learn about the latest technology advances in ship performance during the panel I moderated,” said John Nichols, deputy head of operations, Clipper Bulk (US). “I also enjoyed the networking event, which allowed time to interact with solution suppliers.”

“The shipping industry is struggling to pull itself out of a deep and abiding slump, and faces difficult challenges in a marketplace characterized by persistent overtonnage, weak demand, depressed freight rates, rising fuel costs and high capital investment for regulatory compliance,” said Jim Rhodes, conference co-director. “In this business climate, it’s imperative for shipowners to reduce operating costs and improve efficiency. The Fleet Optimization Conference is the premier forum addressing technical solutions and best practices for efficient ship operations.”

[mappress]

Source: SHIPPINGInsight, November 22, 2013