Conference Programme 2023
Event Overview
Net zero – tanker shipping setting the global decarbonisation agenda
8th November 2023, Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai
The eighth annual The Maritime Standard Tanker Conference will take place on Wednesday 8th November 2023 at The Atlantis, the Palm, Dubai.
This year the primary focus of the three conference sessions will be on environmental protection and sustainability, assessing how tanker shipping can take a lead in achieving demanding greenhouse gas reduction targets. This is reflected in the overall theme for this year’s event – “Net zero – tanker shipping setting the global decarbonisation agenda” – which is particularly appropriate given the fact that the UAE will be hosting the COP28 Climate Conference later this year.
It has been calculated that if shipping were a country it would be the sixth largest global emitter of greenhouse gases. Shipping in general and tanker shipping in particular therefore has a key role to play in the battle against global warming and the conference will be the place to hear about best practice as well as innovative thinking and solutions in this context. The conference will, for example, assess the regulatory impact of environmental regulations like CII and EEXI and the race to develop alternative fuels, including LNG, methanol, ammonia and wind power.
The conference will, of course, also highlight some of the key underlying trends affecting the operation of tankers, in the crude oil, product, chemical and gas sectors. Generally market conditions have been positive, with a shrinking fleet and growing demand in tonne-miles terms shifting the balance in favour of owners and operators, reflected in generally higher profitability and buoyant freight rates. But economic growth prospects are uncertain and, with the newbuilding order book at an all time low, and over 30% of the world tanker fleet over 16 years of age, there is clearly a challenge in providing sufficient high quality tonnage to meet demand in the years ahead. So the future is far from problem free.
As well as environmental issues and market trends, other key topics such as digitalisation, safety and security, support services, vessel technology and shiprepair and maintenance will be covered at the conference. This will include papers setting out new ideas and technology developments that will benefit tanker shipping.
Attendees will get the chance to hear from respected leaders and experts in the tanker business, as well as specialists in the environmental and other fields. The format will as always be lively and engaging with plenty of opportunities for interaction with the many high level speakers and top quality attendees. As in previous years it is expected that all the region’s leading tanker owners and operators will be present, making this a must-attend event for anyone involved with tanker shipping.
The Conference will target engagement with, and participation from, leading decision makers within the tanker shipping industry. This makes the TMS Tanker Conference 2023 a vitally important event for all companies active in this sector. The aim is to create a forum for informed dialogue and discussion about the future of this sector of the shipping business, both in the short and longer terms, and to generate new thinking and fresh reflection regarding the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Conference Programme Outline
08:30
Reception
Welcome by
Clive Woodbridge
Chairman & Editor, The Maritime Standard
Inaugural Address by
Trevor Pereira
Managing Director, The Maritime Standard
Keynote Address
10:00
Session 1: Setting green shipping strategy – policy choices for the tanker sector in uncertain markets
High level speakers will give their assessments of the environmental challenges and opportunities presented to the tanker shipping business, against a backdrop of volatile market trends in the crude, chemical and product tanker trades, as well as the gas carrier segment. They will draw on their own experiences to identify best practice and forward looking solutions.Topics will include:
How best to meet challenging IMO and other environmental targets in volatile and uncertain tanker shipping markets
Building up high value integrated logistics systems to support end customers
Key trends shaping demand in the tanker market both in the short and long term
Newbuilding shortage – is there time to avert a capacity crunch?
Strategies to sustain the momentum towards decarbonisation in tanker shipping
Regional tanker markets – how best to add value and target investment opportunities
Alternative fuels – what are the most cost effective, and risk free, options when considering newbuilding decisions?
Living with EEXI and CII – experience to date and lessons learned
Keeping vessels environmentally compliant – the evolving role of class
The importance of port and free zone infrastructure investment projects
The role of ship managers in charting a course to net zero
COP28 – what to look for from a tanker shipping perspective
Developing green ship recycling infrastructure
The future of vintage ships and sustainable recycling
Panel Discussion/ Q&A Session
12:30
Lunch
13:30
Session 2: Tanker operations in an era of change
This session will focus on key operational issues facing tanker shipowners and operators, and the solutions available to them, both as a result of environmental regulatory changes, but also technology advances in areas such as digitalisation and AI. Topics will include:
How can owners and operators best respond to changing oil and petrochemical trade flows in an era of geopolitical uncertainty?
If and when will charterers enjoy a dual fuel tonnage premium?
Using digitalisation and AI to best effect to strengthen commercial and operational resilience
The human element – developing crewing strategies that are fit for purpose in the current market
Sanctions – how to ensure compliance with multiple layers of trade restriction and identify ‘red flags’
Safety at sea – tackling the security challenges facing the industry
Environmental retrofits – how is the landscape changing
Is carbon capture a viable option for tanker shipping?
Assessing India’s green shipping programme and its likely operational impacts
Panel discussion/ Q&A Session
Refreshment Break
Session 3: Support services stepping up
This session will hear from a range of speakers from diverse backgrounds including shiprepair, maritime insurance, law, bunker supply and classification societies, as to how support services are enhancing their offerings to meet the emerging needs of the tanker shipping segment. This will include initiatives targeted at helping tanker owners and operators meet environmental regulations and associated targets.
Developing agile bunker supply networks to deliver sustainable solutions
Refining technology to support tanker surveys and inspections
The role of ship agency in ensuring local environmental compliance
Harnessing digital tools to enhance tanker maintenance and repair
The latest advances in coatings, hull cleaning and related technology
Identifying the investment opportunities arising from green shipping
The emergence of new generation digital classification
Green shipping corridors – the legal context
Panel Discussion/ Q&A Session
Conference ends
Networking Cocktails
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