Global society is getting closer to the marine transportation system, especially with its demands for performance. This is a “new normal” facing shipping today which needs to be addressed in order to be successful moving forward. Public demands for ESG are accelerating, warnings about climate change are being heard, lending practices are changing, technology is advancing, and other impacts. The shipping industry needs to find solutions to meet impending global requirements for reducing CO2 emissions and more.
What they are looking for is accountability and transparency. This is augmented by social justice organizations raising awareness through global communications, prompting companies such as Patagonia, Shell, Cargill and others to demand performance indicators. Investors, too, are scrutinizing these metrics, begging the question: How does your company measure up? Where do you stand on sustainability?
How WILL our industry be judged on the world’s stage? How WILL our industry meet these demands? Are these threats for shipping or opportunity?
Join your peers to learn what industry experts believe is the pathway forward and associated challenges for GHGs and ESG.
Developing Agenda
1200: Networking Luncheon
1300: Welcome and Opening Remarks
Welcome - Captain Clint Winegar, Presiding Officer, 2023, Houston Pilots
Opening Remarks - Joe Hughes, Chairman of Shipowners Claims Bureau (SCB), Chairman of NAMEPA
1315: Regulatory
Moderated by: Doug Martin, President and General Manager, SMIT Salvage Americas
CAPT Amy Beach, Director of Inspections and Compliance, United States Coast Guard
Keith LeTourneau, Partner, Blank Rome
1400: Technical
Moderated by: Kai Martin, Vice President for Strategic Programs, The Pasha Group
Future Fuels - Jan Hagen Andersen, Business Development Director, DNV Maritime
Measure to Manage - Darren Shelton, Co-Founder, FuelTrust
David Cummins, CEO and President, Blue Sky Maritime Coalition
1500: Networking Break
1530: Operational
Moderated by: Gareth Burton, Vice President of Technology, ABS
Gurinder Singh, Director of Technical Sales, ABS Wavesight
Cynthia Hudson, CEO, HudsonAnalytix
Andrzej Mos, HSEQ Superintendent / CSO Deputy, Siem Ship Management
1630: Societal
Moderated by: Jan-Willem van den Dijssel, Americas Lead, Cargill Ocean Transportation
Dr. Rao Kowtha, PhD, Dean, School of Business, Science & Humanities, SUNY Maritime College
Marcela Crowley, Project Director, MaritimESG and NAMEPA
1700: Closing remarks and reception
Joe Hughes, Chairman of NAMEPA and The American Club
Speakers
Andrzej Mos, HSEQ Superintendent / CSO Deputy, SIEM Ship Management
Andrzej Mos working as HSEQ Superintendent, Deputy of Company Security Officer and ISM, ISPS, MLC and Safety Auditor for SIEM Ship Management Gdynia.
I was graduated from Maritime Academy, received MScs in Marine Electronics and Engineering Degree in Navigation, Sea Transport. I have over 30 years of experience at work in maritime business with good sea background and still holding Master Mariner licence.
I “dropped anchor” in 2012 shifted from Captain position on vessels to Siem Ship Management Gdynia which is a member of SIEM Industries Inc group of companies that includes Siem Shipping, Siem Car Carriers, Star Reefers, Subsea7 and Siem Offshore AS.
I am managing of various type of vessels including PCTC LNG fuelled, Ro-Ro and Reefer Containers. Ultimate responsible for the safety of crews, vessels, protection of the marine environment and security on board. Conversant with maritime international legislation. Professional in the field of maritime security and safety management systems.
In my free time I like to do sports, especially swimming and cycling. My other area of interest is programming using C++. I create software to facilitate my ships’ managing work. I also like classical music, especially piano and art also contemporary art.
CAPT Amy Beach, Director of Inspections and Compliance, United States Coast Guard
Captain Beach assumed duties as Director of Inspections and Compliance at Coast Guard Headquarters in July 2022. In this position, she develops and maintains policy, standards, and program alignment for all prevention activities associated with the safe operation of vessels and facilities. This Directorate manages policy development and program oversight for the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, recreational boating safety, foreign and domestic commercial vessel compliance inspections, international and domestic ports and facilities safety and security, as well as vessel documentation and marine casualty investigations.
Prior operational assignments include Commander, Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley in Louisville, KY from June 2019 to July 2022, and Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Savannah from June 2014 to June 2017. Captain Beach also served at the 9th Coast Guard District Prevention Division from June 2017 to June 2019 and.
She graduated from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Arts in History in 1994. She earned her commission as an Ensign in 1995 as a graduate of the Coast Guard’s Officer Candidate School. She holds a Master of Science degree in Environmental Protection and Public Safety Management from Saint Joseph’s University of Philadelphia, a Master of Science degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College, and an Executive Certificate from MIT in Management and Leadership in 2022.
Captain Clint Winegar, Presiding Officer, 2023, Houston Pilots
Captain Clint Winegar, Presiding Officer of the Houston Pilots, is a graduate of Texas A&M at Galveston with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation. Previously he held the position of Second Officer of the Houston Pilots (2014-2015 and 2022). In addition, he serves as Vice President of the American Pilots Association representing the Gulf States of Texas, Alabama, and Mississippi. Prior to becoming a Pilot, he sailed on Product and Chemical Tankers moving cargo around the world for nearly 10 years. Since 2005, he has been licensed as a State Pilot on the Houston Ship Channel, logging over 2700 jobs and 12,000 bridge hours.
Cynthia Hudson, CEO 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.
David Cummins, CEO and President, Blue Sky Maritime Coalition
David Cummins is President of the Blue Sky Maritime Coalition, a non-profit, strategic alliance formed to accelerate the transition of waterborne transportation in Canada and the United States toward net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Prior to his current role, Cummins worked as an executive with Shell with more than 35 years’ experience covering many locations around the world as well as many diverse businesses and skill areas. Cummins was Shell’s Commercial and Business Development Manager for Shipping & Maritime, Americas, and before that served as Vice President of Shell Korea Limited, managing relationships with Korean shipyards and heavy industry. Cummins previously contributed to Shell’s success in technical management, global strategy development, commercial deal making, new business development, strategic customer account management, divestment and portfolio deal teams, capital project planning & execution, and change management/corporate redesign.
Cummins is a frequent speaker with various organizations on topics including Shipping Sectoral Decarbonization, Global/International Account Management, Strategy Development, Negotiation/Deal Making and Cultural Differences between Western and Asian Countries. In his personal time Cummins is an avid golfer and photographer and is also sole proprietor of a timber tract operations company in the US.
Doug Martin, President and General Manager, SMIT Salvage Americas
Captain Douglas Martin began his sea going career sailing for Apex Marine after graduating from SUNY Maritime College, New York in 1983 with a BE in Electrical Engineering degree and 3rd mate deck license. After 14 years sailing he joined SMIT Salvage in 1997 to continue his maritime career in marine salvage.
As a SMIT resident Salvage Master for North and South Americas since 1997 Captain Martin has been responsible for numerous complex and simple salvages throughout the region and beyond.
He now holds the position of President and General Manager for SMIT Salvage Americas and volunteers to serve on the Board of Directors of NAMEPA.
Darren Shelton, Co-Founder, FuelTrust
Darren Shelton is a 27-year veteran of the maritime industry having managed multiple shipping agencies, serving as director of ISO quality management systems and driving digital initiatives for premier global maritime companies.
In 2018 he envisioned a blockchain startup for the energy sector which led to his co-founding FuelTrust, a software company that measures molecules for intelligent supply chain solutions.
Darren studied at Stephen F. Austin State University, Texas Bible College and Hope International University, has received honorary degrees from Alvin Community College and presently serves on the Board of Regents at ACC. He is Chairman of the Lone Star Harbor Safety Committee in addition to serving on the boards of several other community organizations. He and his family reside in the Houston suburb of Alvin TX.
Gareth Burton, Vice President of Technology, ABS
Gareth Burton is Vice President - Technology for ABS. He began his career with a consulting engineering company before joining ABS in 2001. During his time with ABS, he has held various leadership roles in engineering, business management and product development in the U.S., 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 master’s and doctorate Engineering degrees from the University of Ulster, Belfast, Northern Ireland. In addition, he has completed the Executive MBA program at Texas A&M University.
Gurinder Singh, Director of Technical Sales, ABS WavesightTM
Gurinder Singh joined ABS in 2011 and has held several leadership roles within ABS Bureau including the global sustainability and marine departments before transitioning to his current role as Director of Technical Sales for ABS WavesightTM. He holds a bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s in Engineering Management from the University of New Orleans. Learn more about Gurinder Singh here.
Jan Hagen Andersen, Business Development Director, DNV Maritime
Jan-Willem van den Dijssel, Americas Lead, Cargill Ocean Transportation
Jan-Willem van den Dijssel is an accomplished trader and business leader with over 20 years’ experience in the maritime trading industry. In his current role, Jan-Willem is responsible for the general management of Cargill’s business across the Americas, based in Coral Gables, Florida.
Jan-Willem joined Cargill in 1996 as a grain trader in Santiago de Chile within the Latin America business unit. Later, he successfully held trading roles in Cargill’s global corporate headquarters in Minneapolis, Minnesota and in Miami, Florida.
In 2004, Jan-Willem moved to the Panamax desk of Cargill’s Ocean Transportation business in Geneva, Switzerland before he became manager of the Americas Handy desk. In 2011, Jan-Willem joined the New Jersey office as Americas Commercial Manager. In 2014, he was promoted to his current role of Americas Lead.
Jan-Willem studied Finance and Accounting at Glasgow University and in 1995 he graduated with an MSc in Business from Groningen University in the Netherlands.
In January 2018, Jan-Willem was named as Cargill’s board representative of the North American Marine Environment Protection Association.
Joe Hughes, Chairman of Shipowners Claims Bureau (SCB), Chairman of NAMEPA
Joe has served as chairman of the managers of the American Club, an International Group mutual, for nearly twenty-eight 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 both the American Club itself and its European subsidiary based Cyprus. In addition to his chairmanship of NAMEPA, Joe is president of the Maritime Association of the Port of New York and New Jersey, a director of NYMAR and also sits on committees of the American Bureau of Shipping and Lloyd’s Register of Shipping.
Kai Martin, Vice President for Strategic Programs, The Pasha Group
Mr. Martin has over 30 years’ experience in the maritime industry. Joining The Pasha Group in 2011, he leads Pasha’s ESG Environmental Sustainability, Energy Management, Quality, Security, and Business Resiliency programs. Prior to his current role, he managed the Pasha Center of Excellence, Shared Service Centers, PMO, and Business Process Management teams with Pasha.
Prior to The Pasha Group, he served in Iraq as a U.S. Naval Officer and continues to serve as a Captain in the U.S. Navy Reserve. Mr. Martin’s earlier experience included extensive Marine Port and Intermodal operations managing terminals with deep experience with all cargo types. Later he managed the PMO and led Programs for advanced automation, terminal improvement, and greenfield projects. Mr. Martin specialized in deploying new operating systems as well as port facility planning, design, operational and system analysis, labor relations, program management. He is a founding developer of the international Container Terminal Quality Indicator CTQI standard and co-inventor for an automated marine container patent. He holds an MBA-Global Management from American Military University, BS-Marine Transportation from the California Maritime Academy as well as multiple Project Management, Security, Emergency Response, Quality, and Environment certifications.
Mr. Martin was appointed by NOAA to the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council in 2018 where he currently serves as Chair, Measurement and Operational Efficiency Workstream Lead for the Blue Sky Maritime Coalition, Hawaii Energy Policy Forum Member, American Association Port Authorities Environment Committee Member, and serves on various non-profit Boards and Community environmental organizations.
Keith Letourneau, Partner, Blank Rome
Keith Letourneau is Co-Chair of the Maritime & International Trade Practice Group at Blank Rome LLP and is also a member of the Maritime Emergency Response Team (“MERT”). Keith focuses his practice on maritime and energy transactions, vessel arrests and attachments, and maritime commercial litigation matters. He is a retired commander of the U.S. Coast Guard and served as a trial attorney for both the U.S. Coast Guard’s Procurement Law Division and the Admiralty Section of the U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Division. He is a regular contributor to the Texas Lawyer.
Marcela Crowley, Project Director, MaritimESG and NAMEPA
Marcela holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a major in Finance from St. Simon University in Bolivia. She brings a wealth of experience to her role at NAMEPA, having worked in various positions and projects in Corporate America for over 12 years. These roles include Territory Sales Manager for the Northeast territories in the USA, Customer Support, leading the SAP Project Cordillera and the logistics for Consumer Goods, and Inbound Logistics.
At NAMEPA, Marcela plays a lead role in several projects, including the development, successful implementation, and management of the NAMEPA ESG - Maritime Sustainability Program with a group of subject matter experts in the maritime industry. She also utilizes her bilingual skills as a Spanish editor for all NAMEPA educational materials.
Dr. Rao Kowtha, PhD, Dean, School of Business, Science & Humanities, SUNY Maritime College
Dr. Rao Kowtha is the Dean of the School of Business, Science and Humanities at SUNY Maritime. Dr. Kowtha has had a global academic career in various leadership roles and as a professor of management, teaching and consulting with executives in Singapore, Korea and Tacoma. Before entering academia, Dr. Kowtha was a marine engineer. He spent his undergraduate years at the Marine Engineering College, Calcutta, India, subsequently obtaining an MBA and a Ph.D. from Texas A&M University. He got “back home” when he joined Maritime in August 2022.
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 the safe and practical application of advanced technologies and digital solutions, ABS works with industry and clients to provide solutions that drive sustainability, optimize performance and increase operational efficiency for marine and offshore assets.
From its world headquarters in Houston, ABS delivers survey, engineering and advisory services and solutions to clients through a network of local representatives.
ABS Wavesight is the new ABS Affiliate maritime software as a service (SaaS) company dedicated to helping shipowners and operators streamline compliance while maintaining competitive, more efficient, and sustainable operations. Built on ABS’160-year legacy of maritime innovation and safety, ABS Wavesight combines the industry-leading platforms Nautical Systems™ and My Digital Fleet™, which are collectively installed on more than 5,000 vessels across the global fleet.
ABS Wavesight My Digital Fleet™
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.
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. The Firm’s practices cover areas including corporate 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 law; 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.
“Law Firm of the Year” in Admiralty & Maritime Law in U.S. News – Best Lawyers® 2023
DNV 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.
Dorian LPG is a liquefied petroleum gas shipping company and a leading owner and operator ofmodern 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.
Houston Pilots is a voluntary association of 97 ship pilots providing pilotage services to vessels navigating the Houston Ship Channel. A leader in navigation safety and innovation since 1919, the Association’s goal is to safeguard the interests of the citizens of Harris County by ensuring the safe navigation of deep draft vessels transiting to the over 150 public and private docks along the 52 mile Houston Ship Channel. As exclusive agents commissioned by the Governor of the state of Texas, Houston Pilots oversaw over 20,000 safe vessel transits last year, moving more than 147 million metric tons of cargo and stimulating $178 billion in economic activity.
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.
Scorpio Group is a global provider of marine transportation services. Scorpio Tankers Inc. and ENETI Inc. own product tankers and wind mill installation vessels 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.
SIEM Ship Management core values focus on being an environmental leader. We are investing in the latest generation green maritime technologies. Our unique new buildings, ocean trading PCTC vessels, LNG fuelled, which recently joined our fleet, proved that we are promoting positive environmental changes in shipping industry. Our business delivers a cost effective and reliable shipping service working in partnership with manufacturers of automobiles, heavy equipment, trucks, and project cargo. We are pioneering the environmental conservation movement of the shipping industry by reducing harmful emissions by use of our Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) fuelled vessels.
SIEM Ship Management - Sustainable development
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.