Opinions

During the 2024 SAFETY4SEA Dubai Forum, Philippos Giannakos, Senior Sales Manager, NAPA, discussed the role of digital innovation in driving decarbonization in shipping.

In today’s dynamic maritime landscape, effective voyage planning has become increasingly complex. Factors such as evolving weather patterns, operational demands and stringent environmental regulations have heightened the need for innovative strategies that integrate advanced technology with human expertise, argues Christos Gatidis, Voyage Planner and Meteorologist at Weathernews' Athens operations centre.

Starting ECOsubsea was his most worthwhile investment, says Tor Østervold, the company's Founder & CEO, although it has been a ''roller-coaster ride'', bringing its share of sleepless nights, worries, doubts, and anxieties.

In our special column, we are delighted to feature an interview with Yarden Gross, CEO and Co-founder of Orca AI, who shares his journey into the shipping industry and the evolution of his company, which aims to make autonomous commercial shipping a reality.

During the 2024 SAFETY4SEA Dubai Forum, Capt. Anuj Chopra, Managing Director, MaritimESG Middle East Project Management LLC, gave a presentation on how adopting ESG practices enhances operational resilience, safety, efficiency, and profitability. 

The American Club's main priorities for loss prevention over the next five years focus on wellness, mental health, anti-harassment measures, and mentorship programs to attract and retain skilled seafarers, key experts from the Club argue.

Iebum Shin, Data Analytics Lead at Houlder, explains that the practice of slow steaming by shipowners is largely motivated by the goal of lowering fuel consumption. However, he emphasizes that slow steaming is not a is not a universal solution.

Abhijith Balakrishnan, Safety Manager, DPA, Scorpio Marine Management (India) Pvt Ltd.  shares two different stories, comparing ships’ practices and highlighting that safety needs trust.

During the 2024 SAFETY4SEA Singapore Forum, Andrew Glen, Loss Prevention Director, Asia Pacific, NorthStandard, gave a presentation which explored the critical topics of e-navigation, cybersecurity, big data, and smart applications. 

Jenny Braat, CEO, Danish Maritime highlights the importance of Europe maintaining its global market position. She advocates for a European maritime strategy to boost competitiveness and secure EU funding, with Danish Maritime engaging in discussions to position Denmark as a leader in green transformation and innovation.