Public and private leaders from around the world gathered for the Global Maritime Forum’s Annual Summit on 30-31 October in Singapore, to develop concrete solutions to the most important challenges facing the maritime industry, including decarbonization, improvement of efficiency and safety and attracting new generation.
Decarbonization has been at the center of the discussions, including difficult questions around zero emission fuels, the role of the financial sector, the question of a carbon levy, and the need to make decarbonization the most competitive option for the future.
To meet international shipping’s decarbonization challenge, the maritime industry needs a carbon levy, it is coming, and we should shape it. We have an opportunity to shape a new maritime future, create a new business opportunity and drive innovation. A maritime green fund could accelerate decarbonization in shipping, support scaling and infrastructure to deliver new fuels, while taking into consideration the impact on trade and developing states,
…said Andreas Sohmen-Pao, Chairman, BW Group.
Additionally, supporting global trade, thereby providing economic growth, is a key focus of the maritime industry, and there is potential to further improve efficiency and reduce waste through collaboration and data sharing.
We need to digitalize global supply chains to incentivize collaboration in supply chains at sea and on land through digitalization to create efficiency and unlock added economic value. There is an opportunity for broad collaboration and a common language around digital standards and data governance,
…said Michael J. White, Head of TradeLens and Chief Executive Officer Maersk GTD, Tradelens.
Improving safety is a top priority of the maritime industry and was key to the discussions. The safety record of other industries shows that improvements in safety performance are still possible. It will take leadership, collective responsibility and collaboration across the industry to get there.
Three areas are key to improve the maritime industry’s safety performance. Safety should be the top priority in board rooms; we must improve the well-being of seafarers; and we need to have a common industry-wide data base for danger reporting to better understand what is behind incidents. It is our industry, it is our people, and it is our responsibility,
…said Grahaeme Henderson, Vice President Shipping and Maritime, Shell.
Meanwhile, attracting people with a diverse set of skills and perspectives to ensure the future success of the industry has been an important topic at the summit.
To attract the seafarers of the future, we need to see the maritime industry from the perspective of the young and to create awareness and excitement about a maritime career. Young people need to see a clear career path at sea and back to shore,
…said Caroline Yang, President, Singapore Shipping Association.
The Global Maritime Forum will publish an in-depth report for the Annual Summit later in 2019.
