2021 Houston Marine Operations Virtual Seminar

Agenda 

Speakers

Niels Aalund, Sr. Vice President Maritime Affairs, West Gulf Maritime Association

Niels Aalund serves as an Officer and as Senior Vice-President, West Gulf Maritime Association, with primary responsibility for advocating on behalf of member companies (stevedores, steamship agents, vessel owners, and industry stakeholders) with local, state and federal agencies. From organizations such as Washington, D.C, based, National Maritime Association, to the commercial sector, Aalund has provided leadership for a variety of maritime-related positions. He has extensive strategic planning experience in both operations and commercial maritime activities. Including management positions overseeing liner, break-bulk and stevedoring groups. Currently, Aalund serves on 14 regional and/or national committees and boards, including such groups as Director at Large, Houston Ship Channel Security District, Lone Star Harbor Safety Committee, Area Maritime Security council (AMSC), South East Texas Waterways Advisory Committee (SETWAC) , Corpus Christi Harbor Safety Committee (STWAC), National Association Maritime Organizations (NAMO), Propeller Club International Governing Board, North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA), the University of Houston, College of Technology Dean Advisory Board and has been recognized as Distinguished Alumni, University of Houston – College of Technology. A Houston native, Aalund is a graduate of the University of Houston. Aalund is an active public speaker at industry programs, seminars and conferences. He helps prepare the WGMA “Daily Industry Update Report” for maritime stakeholders. This daily report briefs the trade on regional, national and international developments and trends.

Krishna Achuthanandam, Marine LNG Business Development Team Lead, Shell LNG Marketing & Trading

Krishna Achuthanandam is a Marine LNG Business Development Team Lead, based in Houston, responsible for developing Shell’s LNG as a marine fuel market globally. He has been evangelizing the use of LNG as a marine fuel for the last 7 years and is proud of Shell’s leadership position in forging a decarbonized future for the marine sector. 

Jan Hagen Anderson, Business Development Director, DNV GL

Mr. Andersen has over 25 years of experience in the maritime industry.  He has a MS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Washington and started his career at a marine engineering and service company in Seattle. In 2005, he joined DNV Norway in the Machinery Section of Maritime Technical Advisory.  In 2010.  he moved to DNV Maritime in Houston, Texas and is currently a Director of Business Development for Region Americas.   In this role, his focus is on fleet performance management, environmental performance, cyber security, and novel technologies in shipping. He is a Licensed Professional Engineer and a member of the SNAME  M-16 Panel on Propulsion Shafting.

Mikal Bøe, Managing Director & CEO, CORE POWER

Mikal Bøe is a senior maritime executive with three decades of experience from floor to board level in commodities, shipping, and technology. As Chairman and CEO of CORE POWER, Mikal today plays a key role in the development and deployment of a new generation of reactor technologies as the solution for ocean transportation to meet its emission reduction targets. In the decade prior to starting CORE-POWER in 2018, Mikal served among other as Chief Risk Officer for Eagle Bulk Shipping in New York City and for Thoresen Thai Agencies in Singapore.

Gareth Burton, Vice President Technology, ABS

Gareth Burton is Vice President Technology in ABS (American Bureau of Shipping). He began his career with a consulting engineering company before joining ABS in 2001. During his time with the organization, he has held various roles in engineering, business management and product development in the US, Mexico and Singapore.  In his current role, he is responsible for the development and execution of the ABS research program. Gareth holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Manchester, England and a Masters’ and Doctorate of Engineering from the University of Ulster, Belfast, Northern Ireland. In addition he has completed the Executive MBA program through Texas A&M University.

Todd Duke, General Manager of Compliance Services, Resolve Marine 

Todd Duke has been in Maritime Emergency Response services for over 30 years. Starting as a U.S. Navy Damage Controlman, he progressed through the emergency response community first as a professional marine firefighter, then working his way up as a fire officer in petrochemical and offshore production installations for major oil companies.  Todd has been with Resolve Marine for 22 years.  Along with his firefighting and oil spill response expertise, Todd also leads a variety of salvage and oil spill operations around the world.  Todd helped found the SPRO (OSRO) operation Resolve Marine provides in Shanghai, China and led the startup of 1-Call Alaska, a USCG approved OSRO APC for vessels transiting the Great Circle Route.  As a Native Floridian now residing in Alaska, Todd oversees readiness for Resolve Marine’s OPA-90 SMFF and OSRO programs as the General Manager of Compliance Services. Todd sits on various boards including the Regulatory Affairs Committee of the American Salvage Association.

Randy Giveans, Senior Analyst, Group Head of Energy Maritime Shipping Equity Research Group, Senior VP, Jefferies 

Randy Giveans is the Senior Analyst and Group Head of the Energy Maritime Shipping Equity Research Group and a Senior Vice President at Jefferies. He currently covers 30 energy maritime shipping companies that transport crude oil, refined petroleum products, LNG, LPG, dry bulk commodities, and containers. In both 2019 and 2020, he was named to Institutional Investor's (I.I.) All-America Research Team, and in 2018, he was named an Institutional Investor All-America Research "Rising Star" and was ranked as the #1 Stock Picker for Shipping in the Thomson Reuters Analyst Awards. Randy has appeared on Bloomberg TV, CNBC, and Yahoo Finance, and has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Fox Business, CNN, and Bloomberg. Prior to joining Jefferies in 2011, Randy worked as a Senior Financial Analyst in the Corporate Finance department at Continental/United Airlines. Mr. Giveans received a Bachelor of Science in Finance/Economics from Spring Hill College and an MBA in Finance with an Energy Specialization from the Freeman School of Business at Tulane University.

Cynthia Hudson, CEO & Founder, HudsonAnalytix

Cynthia A. Hudson is CEO and founder of HudsonAnalytix, Inc., a global maritime risk consultancy serving the maritime transportation sector, headquartered in the Philadelphia, US and internationally from London to Piraeus. Well-known and highly regarded throughout the maritime transportation industry for her work and contributions in her field, Ms. Hudson was honored by the Organization of American States (OAS) Inter-American Committee on Ports with the 2016 Maritime Award of the Americas: Outstanding Women in the Maritime and Port.  Ms. Hudson serves on a number of Industry Boards, such as the American Caribbean Maritime Association and the Maritime Academy High School in Philadelphia. She is President of WISTA Delaware River & Bay Chapter and a Director of NAMEPA.

Joe Hughes, Chairman & CEO of Shipowners Claims Bureau (SCB), Chairman of NAMEPA

Joe has served as Chairman and CEO of the managers of the American Club, an International Group mutual, for nearly twenty-five years. Joe also oversees the activities of Eagle Ocean Agencies, Inc., an affiliate of SCB, which operates the Eagle Ocean Marine and Eagle Ocean America insurance facilities. In addition, he is a director of American Hellenic Hull Insurance Company, Ltd., a Cyprus-based underwriting investment of the American Club. In addition to his corporate responsibilities, Joe is chairman of the North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA), and a director (and former president) of the Maritime Association of the Port of New York and New Jersey.

Jason Kelly, Executive Vice President, Moran Shipping Agencies & Co-Founder, Sea Ahead

Jason Kelly serves as Executive Vice President of Moran Shipping Agencies and is a co-founder of Sea Ahead, a startup blue-tech incubator.  An active member of the maritime community, Jason volunteers with ASBA (Treasurer), the Chamber of Shipping of America, the Dean’s Advisory Council, URI Graduate School of Oceanography, Chair, Providence Harbor Management Commission, and member, Mystic Aquarium President’s advisory board.  Jason holds an MBA from Middlesex University in Shipping & Logistics and a Bachelor of Business from Boston College.  Jason is a passionate advocate for commercial shipping and smart-ocean planning, strongly supporting industry best practices in safety, security, and environmental stewardship.

Giorgos Kyriazis, P Ship Systems 

The world is going nuts with the adverse effects of plastic on the environment and the sea. Toxins, chemicals, you name it! Not to mention the damage caused to earth’s living souls’ health. I am passionate about protecting the sea, seafarers and the environment through the latest environmental, health and safety initiatives, ensuring compliance with all industry regulations. I am a problem and cost solver, goal-driven international executive, with a can-do attitude. I deliver value, fully covering client’s what's-in-it-for-me, with 26+ years of hands-on experience in the marketing and business development in the B2B environment in the EMEAS region, operating in demanding working environments. Always open to new challenges.

Peter Lindsey, VP Marine, Purify Fuels Inc. 

Peter Lindsey serves as the VP of Marine for Purify Fuels. Domiciled in Washington State, his career in maritime spans over 35 years and included sailing on commercial vessels, shoreside terminal operations, and sales and marketing for large ocean carriers and freight services providers. Over the last decade, Peter was deeply involved in marine energy, overseeing the west coast for a large bunker and lubes supplier.

Madadh MacLaine, Founder & Secretary-General, Zero Emissions Maritime Technology Ltd, Co-Founder of International Windships Association (IWSA)

Madadh began working in zero-emissions shipping with the design of a ZE multi-access cargo ship in 2007. Frustrated by the lack of available technology, she set off on a course to bring ZE Ship Technology to the market and founded ZESTAs to promote the interests of the Zero Emissions Ship Technology Industry. The goals of ZESTAs are to support ZE Technology development, represent its interests in the international shipping industry and regulatory bodies, and ensuring a level playing field for Zero Emissions Ship Technologies as well as ship owners who are coming under increasing pressure to decarbonize their fleets. Madadh is an avid sailor and has a background working in hydrogen water electrolysis and sustainable development in West Africa.

Dana Merkel, Blank Rome

Dana Merkel focuses her practice on domestic and international marine transportation and environmental issues for clients worldwide. Major areas of practice include U.S. and international compliance counseling, defense of administrative, civil, and criminal enforcement actions, internal investigations, risk mitigation strategies, and development of administrative and legislative solutions to maritime and environmental compliance challenges.  Prior to her legal career, Dana attended the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and worked through the International Organization of Masters, Mates, and Pilots on a variety of vessel types.  She also worked ashore managing vessel transportation for a major U.S. oil company. 

Melody Saunders Breena, CEO and Co-Founder, IntelliReefs and the Ocean Non-Profit 

Former CEO of two successful cast architectural stone and nanomaterials companies, Vicon Eco Construction Systems and Milestone Architectural Ornamentation Inc. in Texas. Funded the development of and oversaw the research in a revolutionary nanomaterials laboratory where Intellireef’s material science was created, successful Caribbean prototypes deployed and scientifically analyzed. Extensive experience in sales, marketing, supply chain logistics, and advanced materials science. Built the global ocean space/UN/trust over last 4 years, bringing the companies into the Decade of Ocean Science.

RDML Richard Timme, Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy, USCG

Rear Admiral Richard Timme serves as the Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy, with the responsibility for the development of national policy, standards, and programs promoting Marine Safety, Security and Environmental Stewardship. Three Directorates carry out the mission: Inspections and Compliance, Marine Transportation Systems, and Commercial Regulations and Standards. Programs include waterways management, navigation and boating safety, ports and facilities, merchant mariner credentialing, vessel documentation, marine casualty investigation, commercial vessel inspections, and port state control. His operational experience includes serving as Commander of Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley and as Commanding Officer of Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh. He served as a Deputy Incident Commander and Federal On-Scene Coordinator Representative during the 2010 DEEPWATER HORIZON oil spill response.

Sponsors

ABS, a leading global provider of classification and technical advisory services to the marine and offshore industries, is committed to setting standards for safety and excellence in design, construction and operation. Focused on safe and practical application of advanced technologies and digital solutions, ABS works with industry and clients to develop accurate and cost-effective compliance, optimized performance and operational efficiency for marine and offshore assets.  From its world headquarters in Houston, ABS delivers survey and engineering services and solutions to clients through a network of local representatives working from more than 200 offices in 70 countries.

ABS- At-A-Glance

The American Club’s mission is to provide its Members with a broad and financially secure range of P&I and related insurance services which most effectively meet the imperatives of their day-to-day business and which are delivered in an attentive, efficient, courteous and focused manner.

The American Club: A Profile - Seamless Service for Turbulent Times 

 With more than 600 attorneys serving clients across the globe, Blank Rome represents businesses and organizations ranging from Fortune 500 companies to start-up entities around the globe. The Firm’s practices cover areas including business tax; commercial and corporate litigation; employment benefits and labor; financial services; bankruptcy and financial restructuring; government relations; health law; intellectual property; maritime, international trade and procurement; matrimonial; privately held and emerging companies; product liability; public companies and capital formation; public finance; real estate; trusts and estates; and white collar, internal and government investigations. Blank Rome also represents pro bono clients in a wide variety of cases and matters.  

Maritime Practice 

DNV GL is the world’s leading classification society and a recognized advisor for the maritime industry. We enhance safety, quality, energy efficiency and environmental performance of the global shipping industry – across all vessel types and offshore structures. We invest heavily in research and development to find solutions, together with the industry, that address strategic, operational or regulatory challenges. With origins stretching back to 1864 and operations in more than 100 countries, our experts are dedicated to helping customers make the world safer, smarter and greener.

Dorian LPG is a liquefied petroleum gas shipping company and a leading owner and operator of modern VLGCs.  Dorian LPG currently owns and operates 22 modern VLGCs. Dorian LPG has offices in Connecticut, USA, London, United Kingdom and Athens, Greece. 

Fairfield Chemical Carriers is committed to being the chemical tanker operator of choice in its selected markets; to providing its customers with top quality and reliable service – creative, proactive, and always client focused; to maintaining the highest standards for safety and efficiency in the operation of its fleet; and, above, all, to conducting all its activities professionally, ethically and in a socially responsible manner.  

HudsonAnalytix is a US-based international business risk solutions company providing expertise and support to the world's leading commercial shipping, ports and terminals, oil and gas, finance, insurance, manufacturing, and government sectors. HudsonAnalytix provides risk management solutions to the maritime sector galvanized by more than 30 years’ experience. Our comprehensive services, global insight, and depth of experience enable our clients to meet their regulatory, commercial and operational needs efficiently, effectively, and profitably. For more information, go to http://hudsonanalytix.com/

Morgan Marketing & Communications LLC is a client-based, retained marketing and communications agency committed to providing its clients with the highest quality professional marketing and communications services available. Our mission is to partner with our clients to meet their needs and exceed their goals.

What we do:

Marketing Services:

• Consulting
• Strategic planning and development
• Commercial development
• Research and intelligence

Corporate Communications:

• Advertising Management
• Public/Media Relations
• Event Management- Physical and Virtual
• In-house Correspondence
• Board of Directors and Company Meeting Preparation
• Speech Writing and Presentation Development
• Training and Facilitation
• Crisis media management

Whom we serve: Morgan Marketing & Communications services the commercial maritime industry.

P Ship Systems mission is to protect Seafarers, Environment, and the Sea, while saving money to shipping companies. We work with commercial shipping fleets (retrofits sailing worldwide and new-buildings). We help vessels easily, fast, real cost-effectively, by complying with/over-exceeding regulations to get rid of plastic bottled water onboard, to have a great and always freshly produced drinking-and cooking- water, 24 hours a day (utilizing their existing vessel-generated water/infrastructure), to stop waste management charges, protect people onboard and the environment, reduce GHGs and save money and resources. With distribution centres in Barcelona, Athens, Rotterdam, Houston, UAE, Hong Kong and Singapore to better support maritime clients.

Turn Vessel's Generated Water into Drinking and Cooking Water

Purify Fuel develops nanO₂ Combustion Catalysts®, custom nanotech fuel additives for heavy transportation that save money, increase power and reduce emissions without engine modification. With 400 million diesel engines worldwide, we provide an immediate solution for today’s energy challenges. Our game-changing product helps achieve the most complete combustion possible. It increases fuel efficiency while significantly lowering PM, soot, carbon monoxide, and NOx. For Maritime, blending NanO2 is comparable in price to VLSFO without the hazards associated with using a product that lacks global standardization.

Resolve Marine provides innovative response, recovery, and compliance solutions that solve our client’s problems while safeguarding the environment. Operating from a global network of strategically positioned offices, depots, and warehouses, Resolve’s owned and managed assets ensure marine insurance companies, shipowners, offshore operators, and global governments benefit from responsive teams who strive to protect client assets and marine environments. Resolve’s salvage experience and technical expertise translates into regulatory leadership as a USCG approved OPA 90 SMFF, China SPRO, USCG approved OPA90 APC Alaska and state-approved NTV NVCC (1-Call Alaska) provider.  

Scorpio Group is a global provider of marine transportation services.  Scorpio Tankers Inc. and Scorpio Bulkers Inc. own product tankers and bulk carriers respectively.  Scorpio Services Holding provides services to Group companies and third parties including pooling and technical management.  Scorpio has its principal offices in Monaco and New York.  For more information, go to www.scorpiogroup.net 

SMIT Salvage is able to provide assistance to ships in distress (emergency response (OPA-90), wreck removal, environmental care and consultancy) anywhere in the world and at any time. It does this by operating out of four locations which are strategically situated in relation to the main international shipping routes: Rotterdam, Houston, Cape Town and Singapore. In addition, Boskalis offers a wide variety of marine services and contracting for the offshore energy sector including sub¬sea, heavy transport, lifting and installation (through Boskalis Offshore and Dockwise) and towage and salvage (through SMIT). Boskalis operates over 1,100 marine units in around 75 countries across six continents.

Since 1968, the West Gulf Maritime Association (WGMA) represents the interests of over 200 members comprised of steamship owners, operators, agents along with stevedoring, and terminal companies located in all Texas ports and the Port of Lake Charles, Louisiana.   The West Gulf Maritime Association negotiates and administers various multiemployer collective bargaining agreements with the ILA in West Gulf ports.  The Association also liaises with various governmental entities throughout the West Gulf.  For more information, go to http://www.wgma.org/