Industry Challenges and Opportunities for Decarbonization and Digitalization, Explored at NAMEPA Marine Operations Program

HOUSTON, February 28- NAMEPA (North American Marine Environment Protection Association) welcomed representatives from industry, the USCG and students to its annual Marine Operations Seminar in Houston last month. The Houston Pilots Association hosted the event at their corporate headquarters in Deer Park and provided tours of their facility.

The program revolves around decarbonization and digitalization with the discussion focusing on how to navigate the road ahead. Setting the stage for this dialog was RDML John Mauger, Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy, USCG who gave an overview from the regulatory standpoint.  Keith LeTourneau of Blank Rome provided an overview of maritime air emissions.

Simon Mockler, Regional Director of Decarbonization, Maritime Americas for DNV, moderated a panel discussion on strategies for the maritime industry to pave the way to decarbonization with Blue-Sky Maritime Coalition’s David Cummins providing a review of their efforts towards decarbonization of the industry and NAMEPA’s Carleen Lyden Walker providing a report from COP 26, accompanied by 1/C Meghan Reilly of Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

The digitalization panel, moderated by Gareth Burton of ABS, illuminated how the digitalization highway is fast moving with technology ever changing as the global environment demands efficient and safe tools for ship management.  Ananth Srinivasan of V-TIC Services (a division of Viswa Group) addressed “Data in Maritime”, and Fuel Trust’s Johnathan Arnault explained “Digital Twinning Fuel for Ships”.  Given today’s cyber risks, Cynthia Hudson of HudsonAnalytix recommended going on the offensive with digital tools.

The seminar concluded with remarks from Captain Anuj Chopra, Co-Founder and CEO, ESG+ on WHY it is important to set the strategies to navigate to zero-emissions and master digitalization to meet goals and bring the maritime industry to a unified path forward.

To view the proceedings, go to NAMEPA Marine Operations Proceedings.

Sponsors of the event include ABS, The American Club, Blank Rome, Clay Maitland, DNV, Dorian LPG, Fairfield Chemical Carriers, Houston Pilots, HudsonAnalytix, Scorpio, Siem Ship Management and Viswa Group.

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

Featured Photo:

Cynthia Hudson, CEO, HudsonAnalytix