From 5 to 8 November, Rotterdam is rolling out the red carpet for international visitors and exhibitors at this year’s Europort fair. The course is set by smart and sustainable ways of running maritime businesses in the future
Multi-role navy ship and boat design is a core area for Europort 2019, which this year offers a specific[ds_preview] focus on »smart business, smart people and smart technology« topics that are changing the maritime world. Environmental impacts from the shipping and offshore sectors will be also high on the agenda at this year’s fair. Furthermore, superyachts provide a specific area of focus.
Part of the Europort opening summit, the shipowner panel discussion, provides only the first of the highlights of the conference and exhibition. Antonio Bordils, CEO Boluda Towage, will represent workboats, while Mikki Koskinen, Managing Director of ESL Shipping will speak as a short sea operator. Also on stage will be Pieter Van Oord, CEO of leading dredging and offshore wind contractor, Van Oord, and Annika Hult, Managing Director of ferry operator Stena Line.
Boluda Towage recently acquired the Kotug Smit Towage operation, and Bordils’ market perspective is sure to generate considerable interest for this reason alone. However, beyond consolidation, he also believes: »The true benefits of rationalisation for customers will be only leveraged by the increasing use of smart sustainable technologies.«
Meanwhile, with environmental issues dominating the agenda for European ferry businesses, Annika Hult will discuss sustainable shipping solutions. In her opinion, »Shipping’s winners will be those who embrace alternative fuels and digitalisation, not those who are resistant to change.«
Mikki Koskinen is expected to pick up on this topic, highlighting a problem that some short sea shipping companies are still less than fully committed to monitoring and improving environmental performance. Pointing out that independent evaluation is available from non-profit organisations with well-established methodologies, Koskinen suggests: »It is shipping itself which has been choosing not to engage.«
Pieter van Oord will stress the importance of making the transition to new energy systems: »Our purpose must be to create a better world for future generations by delivering marine ingenuity.
Visitors can also look forward to the most extensive conference and event programm in its history, the organizors announced. For example Europort adds a new programme partner, following the decision of the European Tugowners Association (ETA) to hold its second Autumn conference to run alongside the event on 7 November. The event will focus on current practices in the tug sector and investigate the business models that are most likely to bring future success. The new addition consolidates Europort’s position as a key show for workboats, a sector covered by the event since its inception, also strengthening an already packed programme comprising several returning conferences and events. These include, Europort Masterclasses, RINA Marine Industry 4.0, MareForum, MariMatch and CEDA Dredging Days.
New generation maritime professionals are invited to join the #YoungEuroport programme at Europort 2019, to become part of a unique knowledge-sharing platform offering opportunities to network with peers and gain access to some of the leading figures in the industry. In line with its role as a launchpad for new talent, Europort 2019’s opening ceremony is scheduled to spotlight a group of Young Maritime Representatives.
