“What’s in Your Stack?” Conference unites students, regulators, industry, and conservationists to Save Our Seas
January 17, 2019 – The North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) and California State University Maritime Academy (Cal Maritime) co-hosted the “What’s in Your Stack?” conference on January 11, 2019 on the Cal Maritime campus. This marine industry forum focused on the rapidly changing “airscape” for ship emissions as requirements to change operational practices to meet regulatory and societal demands come into force. Sponsored by Chevron, Holland America Line, Hornblower

Cruises & Events, Matson, and The Viswa Group, the conference was a unique and informative experience for students, regulators, industry representatives and conservationists to foster meaningful discussion on the future of the regulatory framework for shipping challenges facing the industry, and options to reduce environmental impacts.
Alex Parker, professor of Oceanography at Cal Maritime, welcomed the diverse crowd of over 60 industry leaders, conservationists, and cadets. He emphasized that the goal of this event, and the commitment to academic rigor at Cal Maritime, is to create an ocean literate group of cadets charting their future in the maritime workforce.
The event was led by industry and academic experts including; Chris Brown, Manager Regulatory Affairs & Advocacy at Chevron Shipping; Carleen Lyden Walker, NAMEPA’s Co-Founder and Executive Director; Gordon Loebl, Senior Vice President Maritime & Engineering of Hornblower Cruises & Events; Joe Servidio, Senior Vice President, Safety, Environmental & Management Services, Holland America Group; Alistair Johnson, Owner and Designer of Dasivedo Design; Keir Moorhead, Assistant Professor of Engineering Technology at Cal Maritime and Ryan Storz, Assistant Professor of Engineering Technology at Cal Maritime. The expansive list of experts spoke on evolving issues and solutions within the marine industry and the necessary balance between commerce and conservation. The event concluded with a leadership roundtable and networking reception.
Ms. Lyden Walker appropriately stated: “Sustainability in shipping is as disruptive as sail to steam and the invention of the container. Adverse environmental and public health effects from air emissions, the imminent sulfur cap, increased automation, shortage of trained mariners, shrinking ice caps, cyber-attacks, and a demand for alternative energy sources are some of the dynamic challenges facing the maritime industry today. We must all work together to Save Our Seas. “
“What’s in Your Stack?” addressed these issues by bringing all voices to the conversation. The forum introduced topics on the decarbonization of ports, electric and wind technologies, liquified natural gas (LNG), and strategies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
The necessity to balance commerce with conservation is more apparent with each passing day. The shipping industry is vital to global society and trade, transporting 90% of all goods and energy across the world. Equally vital is environmental conservation as overpopulation continues to jeopardize our marine environments and natural resources.
So, the question remains, “What’s in Your Stack?”.
To learn more about the event, or to view the presentations and photos, go to www.namepa.net.

Established in 1929, California State University Maritime Academy is the only degree-granting maritime academy on the West Coast. Located in Vallejo, California, the campus serves approximately 1150 students and offers undergraduate degrees preparing students for careers in engineering, transportation, international relations, business, and global logistics. Cal Maritime also offers a master's degree in Transportation and Engineering Management, as well as a number of extended learning programs and courses. Beginning in 2020, the University plans to offer an Oceanography major. Recently, the campus has garnered recognition for its high-achieving graduates – on average, the highest-earning alumni of any public university in California ten years after graduation. www.csum.edu

The North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) is a marine industry-led organization of environmental stewards preserving the marine environment by promoting sustainable marine industry best practices and educating seafarers, students and the public about the need and strategies for protecting global ocean, lake and river resources. Visit us at: www.namepa.net