The Maritime Standard Tanker Conference 2022, which took place on November 16th at The Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai, was marked by a broad consensus that prospects for the tanker shipping sector are as optimistic as they have been for many years. There was agreement amongst the high level speakers that TMS assembled for the event that tanker market fundamentals have greatly improved and, together with geopolitical events, are driving a significant and sustained rise in freight rates which seems likely to continue. Tonne-miles demand continues to grow as a result of the dislocation of Russian oil shipments, even if overall demand is down, and tanker newbuilding levels are at an all-time low.

The 2022 TMS Tanker Conference, which featured a packed programme of expert presentations and lively panel discussions, was structured around the theme “Reshaping the Market – Tanker Shipping Post-pandemic.” Indeed, despite the overall optimism, speakers agreed there are still a host of challenges as tanker shipping tries to chart course back from the pandemic which has left an indelible impact on economies and societies around the world and which will shape the future of shipping in all sectors, including tankers, for some time to come.

Opening the conference, TMS Editor, Clive Woodbridge, said, “Despite the return of some good times for tanker owners and operators, there is much more uncertainty and volatility in markets than everyone would like. Unpredictability makes everyone nervous. Nonetheless, despite what the world has been through over the past few years, the outlook for tanker shipping is really optimistic and this conference is timely as it represents a chance to discuss and help formulate strategies that can capitalise on these positive trends and deliver a sustained return to stability and profitability – as well as a reduced impact on environmental issues.”

The opening session, on ‘Recalibrating tanker shipping after the pandemic’ was led off by a keynote speech from Capt. Abdulkareem Al Masabi, CEO of ADNOC Logistics and Services. Other speakers in this all-important session, which set the tone for the day-long proceedings, included Dr. Ibrahim Al Nadhairi, CEO of ASYAD Shipping & Drydock Services; Essam Khoori, Executive Director, DP World; Nikos Michas, Global Tanker Segment Director, Lloyd’s Register; Navin Kumar, Director Maritime Research, Drewry Shipping Consultants; and Friedrich Portner, Chief Commercial Officer, Maritime Cluster, AD Ports Group. Key themes highlighted included the likely sustained nature of the increase in tonne-miles demand; newbuilding constraints; the need for infrastructure investment to support a transition to alternative fuels; the implications of slow steaming as an industry strategy; and the impact of IMO environmental regulations.

Session 2, chaired by Nijoe Joseph, Partner, Stephenson Harwood, looked at how tanker shipping is facing up to environmental challenges. A lively and wide ranging session featured papers from Pawan Sahni, Business Development Director, DNV; Simon Bonnet, Chief Maritime Officer, IRI/The Marshall Islands Registry; Anders Ostergaard, Group CEO, Monjasa; Chris Peters, CEO, Tristar Maritime Logistics; Rajiv Agarwal, Operating Partner (Infrastructure) Essar & Managing Director, Essar Ports; and Franck Kayser, Chief Operating Officer of ASYAD Shipping Company. They were joined as a panellist by Amir Mosadeghi, CEO, Islamic P&I Club. One of the key conclusions of this group was that there was no ‘one size fits all’ alternative fuel choice and that there was likely to be a broad divergence according to the vessel type and size and trade lane.

The final session kept attendees in their seats to the end, with a wide ranging session on support services and how they can help shape the future of tanker shipping. Moderated by Ali Shehab, Global Director of Special Projects and Services, DNV, panellists included Meera Kumar, President and CEO of Diablo Global; Katherine Yakunchenkova, General Manager, Al Safina Security; Jamil Al Ali, Head of Regional and Commercial Development, Middle East, Bureau Veritas; Vishavdeep Gautam, CEO, Fast Freight DMCC and Ramee Rashid, Director, Seamaster Maritime.

Clive Woodbridge concluded: “It was a really stimulating and thought provoking conference that was very upbeat in its assessment of the market. The next 12 months are certain to be interesting for tanker shipping, with plenty of twists and turns, but there seems little chance of any significant deterioration in what is a very positive scenario right now.”

For more information about the conference and how to register please go to: www.tmstankerconference.com

The seventh annual The Maritime Standard Tanker Conference takes place on 16th November at the Atlantis, the Palm, Dubai. A high quality, topical and thought-provoking program has been put together that reflects the extraordinary circumstances facing tanker shipping after two years of pandemic, and now some unprecedented geo-political shockwaves.

As part of a packed one day conference, a focus on support services and new technology will shape Session 3 in the afternoon, ensuring the event ends on a high note. Clive Woodbridge, Conference Editor, says, “Tanker shipping is at the vanguard of the race to embrace new technology, and especially digitalisation, to create a sound foundation for the future. We have seen over the course of the pandemic that digital tools have been employed extensively and as a result there has been a permanent change in the operational basis of the sector. So, there will be plenty to discuss in this fascinating third session.”

Topics proposed for inclusion include: Refining technology to support remote surveys and inspections; the use of AI and blockchain solutions; protecting against cyber-attack threats; enhancing the post pandemic role of ship agency; and the development of alternative fuels for the tankers of the future. Tanker safety will also feature, as will updates on scrubber and ballast water treatment retrofits.

Confirmed speakers in the afternoon Session 3, which is sure to keep attendees engaged right to the end of the conference, include: Meera Kumar, President and CEO of Diabos Global; Katherine Yakunchenkova, General Manager, Al Safina Security; Jamil Al Ali, Regional Commercial & Business Development for the Middle East Region, Bureau Veritas; Saleem Kadernani, Vice President, Commercial, Middle East, Inchcape Shipping; Vishavdeep Gautam, CEO, Fast Freight and Ramee Rashid, Director, Seamaster Maritime

Clive adds, “The pace of innovation and change continues to accelerate, as tanker owners and operators seek ways of overcoming operational and climate changes challenges, as well as of operating more safely and securely. This is a session that is certain to keep people engaged right to the end as it will be packed with fresh, innovative new ideas.”

For more information about the conference and how to register please go to: www.tmstankerconference.com

The seventh annual The Maritime Standard Tanker Conference takes place on 16th November at the Atlantis, the Palm, Dubai. A stimulating and thought-provoking program is rapidly taking shape that reflects the extraordinary circumstances facing tanker shipping after two years of pandemic, and now unprecedented geo-political shockwaves.

In addition, tanker operators face the ongoing challenge of gearing their fleets to meet tough new environmental regulations and the drive to decarbonise operations. This will be the focus on an exciting Session 2, with the theme of “Tanker Shipping Facing up to Environmental Challenges.”

Clive Woodbridge, Conference Editor, says, “Tanker shipping is having to reassess all aspects of its operations and the technology deployed on its vessels to meet challenging new environmental targets. The journey to carbon neutral will be challenging, but opens up a host of opportunities, which is why we have placed this topic so high on this year’s agenda.”

Topics proposed for inclusion in this session include a discussion about EEXI and CII regulations and their impact on tanker shipping; dual fuel operations; LNG fuel retrofits; the role of classification societies and flag stages in keeping tanker environmentally compliant; and developing environmentally friendly fuel bunker networks.

To date speakers confirmed for Session 2, which will be chaired by Nijoe Joseph of Stephenson Harwood, include: Simon Bonnett, Chief Maritime Officer, International Registries (UK) Limited; Anders Ostergaard, Group CEO, Monjasa; Chris Peters, CEO, Tristar Maritime Logistics; Rajeev Agarwal, CEO & MD, Essar Ports; Emad AlHumam, Senior Vice President Corporate services, International Maritime Industries; Franck J Kayser, COO, Asyad Shipping Company; Pawan Sahni, Business Development Director, Middle East and Africa, DNV; and Amir Mosadeghi, CEO, Islamic P&I Club.

Clive adds, “There are a host of key issues that tanker owners and operators need to address in the environmental compliance space. Matching services to the evolving needs of the tanker shipping business in this context will be a key challenge and this session will give some important pointers as to the way forward.”

For more information about the conference and how to register please go to: www.tmstankerconference.com