Tech Tides: AI in Shipping 2

Mare Forum and Rotterdam Maritime Capital of Europe will host the 2nd online round table of the successful series "Tech Tides: AI in Shipping 2" on Thursday, 13 February, 11:00 - 12:00 Central European Time

WEBINAR:
➤ Sense and Non-Sense Surrounding the Future of AI in Shipping 2

THE PANELLISTS
➤ Mike Konstantinidis, Managing Director, Vessel Optimisation, ZERONORTH A/S (MODERATOR)
➤ Erik van Gastel, Fleet Director, STOLT TANKERS
➤ Chris van Veelen, Head of Data & Analytics, SAMSKIP
➤ Oscar van Veen, Director of Innovations, Port of Rotterdam
➤ Ronald Root, Manager Data and AnalyticsManager Data and Analytics, VAN OORD
➤ Dr. Karen Sumser-Lupson, Commissioner, African Maritime Safety and Security Agency AMSSA
➤ Maarten Veenstra, Business Development Manager, LLOYD'S REGISTER
➤ More panellists to be announced. Stay tuned

This 2nd online roundtable will explore the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in shipping, addressing both its realistic prospects and the common misconceptions surrounding its adoption.
A plethora of themes will be discussed holistically in a roundtable consisting of leading local and international executives of the maritime industry chair-holders. They will exchange their thoughts, ideas, and visions.

THE AGENDA:
Open Questions for the Roundtable
➤ What are the key challenges in implementing AI at scale in the maritime sector?
➤ How can stakeholders align their efforts to ensure successful AI adoption?
➤ What safeguards are necessary to manage risks associated with AI deployment?
➤ How do we strike the right balance between innovation and regulation?

THE DISCUSSION TOPICS:
A choice of the following themes will discussed at the Tech Tides: AI in shipping 2

Technical Aspects
1. Autonomous Ships and Safety:
How close are we to fully autonomous vessels, and how can AI ensure safety and reliability in complex maritime environments with unpredictable weather, mechanical failures, and cyber threats?
2. Predictive Maintenance:
To what extent can AI-driven predictive maintenance truly reduce operational downtime, and are shipowners prepared to adopt these technologies at scale?

Operational Efficiency
3. Route Optimization:
AI can optimize shipping routes, but what are the trade-offs between cost savings and environmental compliance, especially when regulations like EEXI and CII are considered?
4. Crew Reduction and Upskilling:
With automation and AI-powered tools reducing the need for crew, how will the industry manage the tension between cost-saving workforce reductions and the responsibility to retrain and upskill maritime professionals?

Chartering and Commercial Aspects
5. AI in Chartering Decisions:
Could AI replace traditional chartering professionals by providing instant market analysis and decision-making, and what risks arise from relying on AI models for such high-stakes decisions?
6. Freight Rate Forecasting:
How reliable are AI-based models in forecasting freight rates amid geopolitical uncertainties, and what are the ethical implications if brokers or companies gain an unfair advantage through proprietary AI insights?

Bunkering and Fuel Management
7. Fuel Optimization vs Sustainability:
AI promises fuel optimization, but can it balance the financial and environmental pressures of reducing emissions while still adhering to IMO regulations?
8. Transparency in Bunkering:
How can AI ensure greater transparency and fraud prevention in the often opaque world of bunkering, and will traditional bunkering agents lose their relevance in an AI-driven future?

Agents and Brokerage
9. Role of AI in Ship Agents:
With AI automating tasks like port documentation and customs clearance, how will the role of traditional shipping agents evolve, and what risks does over-reliance on AI pose in terms of operational errors?
10. AI in Shipbroking:
Can AI fully replicate the relationship-based nature of shipbroking, or does this technological shift risk eroding trust in an industry historically reliant on personal networks and human intuition?

Cybersecurity and Risk Management
11. AI and Cybersecurity:
As shipping becomes increasingly digitized, how can the industry safeguard itself from AI-driven cyberattacks that target vessel control systems, cargo data, or financial transactions?
12. Insurance and Liability:
With AI driving decisions on board and ashore, who takes responsibility when something goes wrong—AI developers, shipowners, or operators? Are current insurance frameworks equipped to handle these new risks?

Environmental and Regulatory Compliance
13. AI in Meeting Decarbonization Goals:
Can AI tools provide actionable insights to meet IMO’s decarbonization targets faster, and how do we ensure that smaller operators with fewer resources can also access these technologies?
14. Regulatory Challenges with AI-Driven Operations:
Are international regulatory bodies prepared to keep pace with the rapid adoption of AI in shipping, and how can regulators strike the right balance between innovation and control?

Trade and Market Dynamics
15. AI and Global Trade:
Could AI-based supply chain optimization lead to a consolidation of power among a few large shipping companies, and what would this mean for smaller operators and global trade dynamics?
16. Trade Route Disruption:
How might AI disrupt traditional trade routes by identifying previously unviable routes or reshaping demand patterns for goods?

Data Ownership and Collaboration
17. Data Sharing and Ownership:
AI thrives on data, but how will shipping companies overcome the challenges of sharing sensitive operational data without compromising competitive advantage or security?
18. AI Collaboration Across Stakeholders:
What role should AI play in fostering collaboration between shipowners, charterers, ports, and logistics providers, and how do we address conflicts of interest in the process?

Ethics and Workforce Impacts
19. Ethics in AI Decision-Making:
How do we ensure ethical use of AI when decisions affect cargo prioritization, fuel allocation, or labor assignments, especially in regions with disparate economic conditions?
20. Impact on Global Workforce:
With AI reducing the need for traditional maritime roles, how do we prevent widespread unemployment in developing nations where shipping jobs are vital to the economy?

‍The first round table (held in January 2025) was a resounding success, sparking insightful discussions and innovative ideas. Missed it? Watch the recording here:
https://www.bigmarker.com/mare-forum/Designing-the-Future-of-Shipping-9

It will be inspiring - register now