2025 Annual Conference and Awards Dinner
October 30, 2025 - New York

Powering Progress: Maritime at the Crossroads of Innovation and Impact 

Today’s maritime world is transforming rapidly. The convergence of global disruption, regulatory pressure, and emerging technology creates a powerful moment for the industry to lead with both innovation and impact. 

Join NAMEPA as we explore what’s next for maritime, and celebrate those leading the way in environmental protection, collaboration, and workforce development. 

AGENDA 

1300: Registration & Networking hosted by Wasteline Solutions

1330-1345:  Welcome – Mr. Stash Pelkowski, JD, USCG RADM (ret.), Department of Global Business and Transportation, SUNY Maritime College

Opening Remarks – Joe Hughes, Chairman of NAMEPA and Chairman of the Managers of the American Club

1345-1400: Keynote Address – Decisive Leadership for a Maritime 5.0 World- Chris Wiernicki, ABS Chairman and CEO

1400-1405: Keynote Address – How the USCG is Approaching Change and Innovation- Rear Admiral Wayne Arguin, Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy, USCG

1405-1415: Keynote Address – Learning on the Waterfront- Capt. Jonathan Boulware, President & CEO, South Street Seaport Museum

1415-1500: Strategic Crossroads – Maritime Leadership Amid Disruption and Transformation 
The maritime industry is navigating a pivotal moment where geopolitical uncertainty, regulatory pressure, and technological disruption intersect. This panel explores how industry leaders are adapting, responding, and innovating in the face of complexity. turning disruption into opportunity while maintaining safety, sustainability, and global trade flow. 

Moderator: Jan Hagen Andersen, Business Development Manager, DNV

  • Navigating Geopolitical Instability and Trade Disruption: Taro Rasmussen, Chartering Manager, Dorian LPG
    How are global conflicts, sanctions, and shifting alliances influencing shipping lanes, insurance, risk management, and investment? What long-term impacts should maritime leaders be preparing for?
     
  • Responding to Regulatory and IMO Expectations: Vanessa C. DiDomenico, Associate, Blank Rome
    From IMO to regional emissions rules, the regulatory landscape is intensifying. How are companies adapting compliance strategies while staying commercially viable? 
  • Harnessing Digital Tools and Data While Minimizing Risk: Maria Kolitsida, Founder, Signal Fusion
    Managing operational risk requires sharper insight. Which tools and assessments can help mitigate vulnerabilities?
  • Leading Through Uncertainty: Strategy in Motion: Derek Paruolo, President, MOL Chemical Tankers North America
    How are maritime executives rethinking strategy in the face of volatility? What does leadership look like when the waters are unpredictable? 

1500-1530: Coffee / Networking Break hosted by ITOPF

1530-1615: Workforce Reimagined – Building Maritime Talent for the Future 
From sea to shore, maritime needs talent that is agile and future-ready. This panel explores how to build, train, and retain the workforce that Maritime’s transformation demands. How can we introduce maritime careers earlier and create clear, supported pathways from middle school to maritime employment? 

Moderator: Molly Dushay, Executive Director, NAMEPA

  • Growing Awareness of Maritime Careers: Matthew Wilson, CEO,  Maritime Academy Charter School
    How can we introduce maritime careers earlier and create clear, supported pathways from middle school to maritime employment? 
  • Strengthening Partnerships with Education and Training: Captain John Stauffer, Associate Vice Chancellor, San Jacinto College
    What innovative partnerships between industry and academia are transforming training and placement outcomes?
  • Featuring a Shipowner’s Perspective: Kelly Dennison, Vice President Marketing & Government Relations, The Pasha Group
    A shipowner’s perspective brings unique insight into workforce development, from operational demands at sea to the need for innovative training pipelines and clear pathways for career growth. This conversation will highlight how shipowners can play a critical role in shaping the next generation of maritime professionals through partnerships, investments in training, and forward-thinking workforce strategies.
  • Investing in Upskilling and Leadership Pipelines: Benton Lobo, Vice President, Compliance & Environmental Operations, Carnival
    How can we ensure that current mariners are equipped for decarbonization and compliance? What are the most urgent skill gaps? As generational expectations shift, how do we retain skilled professionals and keep them engaged?  

1615-1700: Leadership Roundtable 

Moderator: Tina Goldstein, President, Wasteline Solutions and Innovation Award Winner

  • Lifetime Achievement Award – Chris Wiernicki, ABS Chairman and CEO
  • Port Award – Port of Corpus Christi, Sarah Garza, Director of Environmental Planning & Compliance
  • Sustainability Award – Carnival Cruise Line, Benton Lobo, Vice President, Compliance & Environmental Operations
  • Sustainability Award – Resolve Marine, Matthew Bierwagen, Director of Bids & Estimating
  • Workforce Development Award – Capt. Aaron Singh, Waterfront Director, New York Harbor School

1700-1715: Chairman’s Reflection & Closing

1715–1745: NAMEPA Annual General Meeting  

1800-1900: Cocktail Reception 

1900-2130: Dinner Program & Awards Presentation 

Our Speakers:

Joe Hughes

Chairman NAMEPA, Chairman Shipowner's Claims Bureau

chris abs

Chris Wiernicki

ABS Chairman and CEO

Carleen Lyden Walker

Co-Founder and CEO, NAMEPA

Rear Admiral Wayne Arguin

Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy, USCG

Molly Dushay

Executive Director, NAMEPA

Jan Hagen Andersen

Business Development Manager, Regional Director for Maritime Decarbonization, DNV

Maria Kolitsida

Founder, Signal Fusion

Derek Paruolo

President, MOL Chemical Tankers North America

Vanessa DiDomenico

Associate - Maritime, Blank Rome

Captain John Stauffer

Associate Vice Chancellor, San Jacinto College

Rear Admiral Francis Pelkowski JD

SUNY Maritime College

Capt. Jonathan Boulware

President & CEO South Street Seaport Museum

Benton Lobo

Vice President, Compliance & Environmental Operations, Carnival Cruise Line

Sarah Garza

Director of Environmental Planning & Compliance, Port of Corpus Christi

Matthew Wilson

CEO, Maritime Academy Charter School

Tina Goldstein

President, Wasteline Solutions

Matthew Bierwagen

Director of Bids & Estimating, Resolve Marine

Kelly Dennison

Vice President Marketing & Government Relations, The Pasha Group

Capt. Aaron Singh

Waterfront Director, New York Harbor School

Our 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.

Explore Sponsor Content: Classification in North America

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.

Blank Rome Maritime is one of the largest maritime practice groups in the United States and is supported by an even broader Transportation Industry Group that brings considerable depth and experience to the myriad litigation, regulatory and transactional issues facing the maritime industry. With more than 750 attorneys serving clients across the globe, Blank Rome represents businesses and organizations ranging from Fortune 500 companies to start-up entities around the globe. Blank Rome helps its clients in all aspects of their businesses. 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; government contracts; 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. For more information, go to www.blankrome.com

Explore Sponsor Content: Mainbrace September 2025

Cargill Ocean Transportation is committed to moving dry and wet cargo around the world in a safe, responsible, and sustainable way. Sitting at the heart of the supply chain, we offer more than exceptional freight-shipping services. We move cargo, bring perspective, partner for progress and lead change.

Explore Sponsor Content: Cargill Ocean Transportation – Sustainability 

Carnival Corporation, parent company of Carnival Cruise Line and other great brands, is the global leader in the cruise industry, leading the way in innovative and sustainable cruising to deliver memorable vacations and build borderless connections. But we never forget to create unforgettable happiness for our guests during their extraordinary cruise vacations, all while honoring the integrity of every ocean we sail, place we visit and life we touch.

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is the world’s largest cruise industry trade association, providing a unified voice for the industry as the leading authority of the global cruise community. CLIA supports policies and practices that foster safe, healthy, and sustainable cruise operations; tourism strategies that maximize the socio-economic benefits of cruise travel; and technologies and innovations that protect and preserve our planet.

DNV is the world’s leading classification society and a recognized advisor for the maritime industry. The company enhances safety, quality, energy efficiency and environmental performance of the global shipping industry – across all vessel types and offshore structures. DNV invests heavily in research and development to find solutions, together with the industry, that address strategic, operational or regulatory challenges. Visit us at www.dnv.com for more information.

Explore Sponsor Content: DNV Maritime Forecast 2050 (2025 Executive Summary)

Dorian LPG is a leading owner and operator of modern Very Large Gas Carriers (“VLGCs”) that transport liquefied petroleum gas globally. Our current fleet of twenty-five VLGCs includes twenty ECO VLGCs, four dual-fuel ECO VLGCs, and one modern VLGC. Dorian LPG has offices in Stamford, Connecticut, USA; Copenhagen, Denmark; and Athens, Greece.

Every day, International Seaways’ mission is to exceed its customers’ expectations. We know that every stakeholder is a customer.  We do this by understanding our customers’ needs, and by understanding our own business and challenging ourselves to constantly seek improvement.  We transport energy safely and efficiently though diligent and environmentally compliant operations of well-maintained assets by well trained and dedicated crews. Learn more at International Seaways, Inc. – Investor Relations

ITOPF is maintained by the world’s shipowners and their insurers on a not-for-profit basis to promote effective response to spills of oil, chemicals and other cargoes in the marine environment.

Established in 1968, ITOPF has attended on-site at over 860 shipping incidents worldwide to provide objective technical advice on clean-up measures; the effects of pollutants on the environment and economic activities; and on compensation.

Its first-hand experience of pollution incidents is utilised during contingency planning, advisory and training assignments for government and industry. It is also an authoritative source of information on marine spills through its publications, statistics and films.

MOL Chemical Tankers is a global leader in the transportation of bulk liquid chemicals, dedicated to providing safe, efficient, and customer-focused shipping solutions that connect industries and markets worldwide.

Following the acquisition of Fairfield Chemical Carriers in March 2024, MOL Chemical Tankers’ fleet expanded to 117 modern chemical carriers, positioning the company among the largest stainless-steel chemical tanker operators in the world. This integration strengthened MOLCT’s ability to serve a diverse portfolio of customers with enhanced scale, network coverage, and technical expertise.

Headquartered in Singapore, MOL Chemical Tankers operates through a strategically positioned network of regional offices in Dubai, London, Copenhagen, Rotterdam, Houston, Wilton, Bogotá, Tokyo, Busan, Shanghai, and Durban, ensuring localized expertise and 24/7 support across all major chemical trade lanes. This global footprint allows the company to deliver reliable door-to-door logistics solutions that optimize safety, efficiency, and sustainability across every voyage.

Rooted in the MOL Group’s 140-year legacy of maritime excellence, MOL Chemical Tankers upholds the highest standards of safety, environmental responsibility, and professional integrity. The company’s fleet is operated under rigorous management systems that comply with international safety and environmental regulations, reflecting its commitment to protecting people, cargo, and the planet.

Beyond transportation, MOL Chemical Tankers partners closely with its customers to develop tailored logistics and shipping strategies that support their growth and supply chain efficiency. Through innovation, transparency, and operational excellence, the company continues to strengthen long-term relationships built on trust, performance, and shared values.

For more information, visit www.molchemtankers.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.

Navios Maritime Partners L.P. (“Navios Partners”, NYSE: NMM), is a leading US publicly listed marine transportation company that owns and operates dry bulk, container and tanker vessels.  Navios Partners has a modern fleet of 174 vessels, across three segments with 16 different types of vessels and an average age of 9.9 years.

Navios Partners is committed to being a leader in sustainability and is continuously working towards this commitment by striving to measure and reduce emissions and waste, aiming to achieve ‘Zero Incidents’, and always focusing on operating ethically, compliantly and transparently.  For more information, please visit our website at www.navios-mlp.com.

The OPA 90 Forum was founded to serve as a community of those parties interested in the protection of U.S. waters from pollution by oil and hazardous substances from waterborne or land-based sources. The Mission is to provide a forum for those concerned with OPA 90 preparedness, prevention and response, with the goal of reducing the number and severity of incidents and increasing the effectiveness of response.  The OPA 90 Forum is a non-profit organization incorporated in Delaware in 2021. It is recognized by the IRS as a 501c6, and is accepted by the U.S. Federal Government under the System for Award Management. 

Established in 1947, The Pasha Group is a family-owned, third-generation diversified global logistics and transportation company that provides ocean transportation for containers and rolling stock between the U.S. West Coast and Hawaii; port processing services for finished and privately owned vehicles; stevedoring for vehicles, breakbulk and container cargos; auto hauling services with its truck fleet throughout the contiguous U.S.; domestic and international relocation services; and international logistics management for general commodity and project cargoes.

The Port of Corpus Christi, the third-largest U.S. port by total waterborne tonnage, serves as a premier gateway for global trade and energy exports. Strategically located on the western Gulf Coast, its 38-mile, 54-foot-deep channel supports shipments of crude oil, LNG, refined fuels and other key cargo. Following the completion of the historic Channel Improvement Project in 2025, the Port continues advancing infrastructure, efficiency and growth, proudly “Moving America’s Energy.”

Resolve Marine is a global leader in ship and vessel salvage, rescue, emergency response, compliance, environmental mitigation, and specialized marine services. A private company established in 1984 and headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, FL, Resolve Marine has commercial offices, response warehouses and equipment depots located in the United States, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.resolvemarine.com, call +1.954.764.8700 or follow us on LinkedIn and @resolvemarine on X and Facebook.

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. 

Triworld Shipping Services, Inc. is the exclusive local US agent for the TST Group, providing comprehensive in-house management of all shipping venture facets—commercial, operational, technical, accounting, risk management, and claims—you are assured of a partnership that consistently seeks out and capitalizes on value creation opportunities in the dry bulk industry.

Wasteline Solutions has introduced a pioneering model of port reception and waste management services designed for the cruise and shipping sectors in USA. Their innovation lies in integrating MARPOL-compliant waste reception with circular economy practices and advanced traceability systems. By applying digital monitoring tools, we provide cruise lines and shipping operators with real-time transparency on the fate of their waste streams, ensuring full compliance and accountability. Unlike traditional models that rely heavily on landfill disposal, Waste Line Solutions maximizes recycling, recovery, and upcycling of onboard-generated waste. Plastics are separated and directed into local recycling markets, organic waste is converted into compost, Feed or energy sources, and residual waste is treated in a manner that minimizes environmental impact. The impact has been transformative.  

In the past year alone, Waste Line Solutions has diverted over 20,000 tons of ship-generated waste away from landfills, reduced GHG emissions from waste transport and processing by 35%, and established the first transparent reporting system for cruise ship waste management in the region.  

These achievements not only protect marine ecosystems but also create a replicable model for ports in other developing regions. Waste Line Solutions demonstrates that innovation in environmental services can deliver measurable sustainability outcomes while enhancing compliance and accountability across the maritime industry. Learn more at www.wastelinesolutions.com

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