1st International Ship Autonomy and Sustainability Summit

The leaders' view on the future of autonomous ships

This summit gave a comprehensive overview of how senior commercial, governmental and international decision makers view the future of autonomous and smart shipping and how it can contribute to a sustainable future for our planet. What are the possibilities and obstacles, where will smart and autonomous ships be used and how will the industry adapt? How well will they meet our environmental challenges, and how will these challenges impact the future of international shipping?

The summit was organised as keynote sessions and high-level panels, each with a specific theme. Each panel participant gave an introductory statement of 2-4 minutes, followed by a moderated discussion between the panellists.

Held for the first time, the event was organized by the Norwegian Forum for Autonomous Ships with practical arrangements by Gyro AS (now LIWLIG).

Unfortunately, no recording is available, but a few pictures are shown below. Click on the image to see full size.

Programme

Moderator: Susannah Streeter, BBC

Opening ceremony

Trond Langemyr | Chair of the board, Norwegian Forum for Autonomous Shipping (NFAS)
Daniel Bjarmann-Simonsen | State Secretary to the Minister of Trade and Industry

Keynote: Singapore’s Vision: Autonomous Ships in Large Ports

Quah Ley Hoon | CEO Maritime and Port Authority (MPA), Singapore

Panel 1: Sustainable and efficient ship transport – an imperative need for the world

Efficient ship transport is the lifeblood of the world. How can shipping maintain the efficiency and increase sustainability? How can the next generation ship transport systems contribute to a better environment for all?

Lise Kingo | CEO and Executive Director of the United Nations Global Compact: Sustainability also in transport.
Quah Ley Hoon | CEO Maritime and Port Authority (MPA), Singapore
Jacob Terling | European Commission, DG MOVE: EU priorities
Nancy Scheijven-Westra | Dutch Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure: Inland waterways
Harald Solberg | CEO Norwegian Shipowners Association: The new role of the ship owner
Oskar Levander | SVP Kongsberg Maritime Finland Oy: The new business cases

Keynote: The new role of the cargo owner in ship transport systems

Bjørn Tore Orvik | CEO and co-founder Yara Birkeland AS

Panel 2: Autonomous and smart ships as enablers for sustainable transport

How can autonomy and smart ships be used in the future sustainable transport systems? How can the national and international strategies work together for a green future?

Geir Håøy | CEO Kongsberg Maritime AS: Supplying the technology
Vegar Johansen | CEO SINTEF Ocean: Research and innovation
Bjørn-Johan Vartdal | Head of DNV GL’s Maritime Research Group: Class’ role in safe technology development
Antoon Van Coillie | Blue Line Logistics: Disrupting inland waterways
Bjørn Laksforsmo | Torghatten AS: Automation in highway ferries
Vegard Evjen Hovstein | CEO Maritime Robotics: SMEs as innovators
Masanori Yoshida | Chief advisor and Director of Offshore Development Office Nippon Foundation: Japanese priorities

Keynote: Regulatory cautions versus new technology and jobs

Magda Kopczyńska | Director for Waterborne Transport, DG MOVE, European Commission

Panel 3: Allowing the autonomous ship to sail

Even partial autonomy challenges our current regulative framework. What are the gaps that need filling before the next generation shipping systems can be realized?

Lars Alvestad | Acting Director General of Shipping and Navigation, Norwegian Maritime Authority: Approving autonomous ships
Henrik Tunfors | Chairman of IMO working group: Development of international regulations
Gijsbert De Jong | Bureau Veritas, Director Sales: Testing and approving the technology
Magne Nilsen | Chief Underwriting Officer, Speciality, Gard: Insurance and liability for unmanned ships
Henrik Ringbom | Professor II, Scandinavian Institute of Maritime Law: Role of UNCLOS and other international conventions
Ørnulf Jan Rødseth | General Manager NFAS: International standards

Panel 4: Creating the jobs of the future

What are the operational outlooks on autonomous and smart shipping? What will the new jobs look like, how will the stakeholders be impacted?

Tom Eystø | CEO Massterly AS: Managing autonomous ships
Einar Vik Arset | Director General Norwegian Coastal Administration: The new coastal state
Harmen van Dorsser | Port of Rotterdam, Program manager "Harbour Master Next Generation": Innovation potential in ports
Morten Kveim | Vice President Maritime Safety and Education, Norwegian Marine Officers Association: New jobs for the crew
Per Brinchmann | Vice President, Wilh. Wilhelmsen Holding ASA: Autonomous deep sea shipping
Douglas Lang | Group Managing Director, Anglo-Eastern Group: The new business models

Final words: Summing up the day

Trond Langemyr | Chair of the board, Norwegian Forum for Autonomous Shipping (NFAS)