Secretary General, International Windship Association (IWSA)

Gavin Allwright is the Secretary General of the International Windship Association (IWSA). Established in 2014, this not-for-profit has grown to 130+ members from across the shipping industry and is working to promote and facilitate the uptake of wind propulsion solutions in commercial shipping. Alongside his work as association secretary, he also leads the policy work stream, requiring regular attendance at IMO, EU and national government level meetings and sits on the stakeholders advisory committee for the MTCC network at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

Gavin is also a non-executive board member for the World Wind Energy Association (WWEA), a work package leader on the EU Interreg Wind Assist Ship Propulsion (WASP) and advisor on various shipping decarbonisation projects. He is a regular guest lecturer at the UN World Maritime University (WMU) and holds a Masters degree in Sustainable Development, specialising in small scale sustainable shipping and logistics in developing countries and was an expert reviewer for the IPCC special report on 1.5C climate change.

Head of Hydrogen Business Development, Galp

Diogo Almeida holds a Master in Chemical Engineering from Instituto Superior Técnico, in Lisbon, and 20 years of experience at Galp within the energy ecosystem.

He has taken different roles on the oil value chain and corporate strategy and is heading Hydrogen & Renewable Fuels Business Development since June 2021, pushing forward for a strong energy transition commitment through the development of opportunities and new projects in the green hydrogen and renewable fuels value chain.

CEO, TecnoVeritas

Dr Jorge Antunes has 40 years’ experience in ship performance and ship fleet energy management, becoming specialised on cruise ship environmental revamping, with a long track record.

He served at sea, as a seagoing engineer, and obtained his BSc, MSc and PhD in Marine Technology from Newcastle University, becoming lecturer of MTEC at the University of Newcastle for 20 years.  He covers, Nuclear, Diesel, Otto and gas turbine technologies,  working as a consultant for some of the major engine manufacturers, in particular on dual fuel engines, he is presently developing the Hydrogen Pioneer project for MITSUBISHI.

Thirty years ago, he founded its own engineering innovation company, TecnoVeritas, Services of Engineering & Systems Technology ltd. The company won various prizes like SEATRADE AWARDS for Clean Shipping, Motorship and Green Projects Awards.

Head of Shorepower Department, Port of Barcelona

Ana Arévalo is M.Sc. Naval Architect and Marine Engineer from the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM) and Master in Management Development - PMD® from ESADE Business & Law School.

She has developed her professional career over the last 22 years involved in naval and logistics and she is highly specialized in ports.

Arevalo is currently Energy Transition Manager at the Port of Barcelona, a position that was created to accelerate the docks electrification project, which she is leading at the moment. She also participates as a professor at the European Intermodal transport school and she is member of WISTA and other different associations in the port logistics sector on behalf of the Port of Barcelona.

Group Commercial & Business Development Director, VPS

Steve is the Group Commercial & Business Development Director for VPS, responsible for the development and implementation of global commercial strategy, since joining the company in July 2016,

Graduating from Northumbria University with a BSc (Hons) in Applied Chemistry, Steve worked as an R&D Chemist for BNFL, ICI and Sanofi-Aventis, before joining Anachem Ltd, in a commercial role within laboratory instrumentation in 1997.

Progressing his international commercial career, Steve moved from technical sales to Sales & Marketing Manager, before becoming the General Manager for a1-Envirotech, gaining formal business management qualifications and awards along the way.

Steve joined Lintec Testing Services Ltd, a subsidiary of Intertek, as Operations & Key Accounts Manager in 2007, before becoming General Manager of Lintec in 2011, then Director of Intertek ShipCare in June 2012, a role held until joining VPS.

Head of Sales and Business Development, WISAMO Michelin

With a confirmed experience in maritime areas, Nicolas Boulet is acting as Head of Sales and Business Development in WISAMO team from Michelin Group. Holding a MSc degree in Naval and Maritime Engineering, Nicolas has a double competency combining technical and commercial responsibilities with the ambition to bring WISAMO innovative solution to the market.

CEO, Wavelength Technology Centre

Tiago Braz is the CEO of the Wavelength Technology Center, an organization working to decarbonize shipping by delivering fuel handling solutions that utilize methanol, ammonia, or other green fuels.
Wavelength is also an active stakeholder in the development of CO2 maritime transportation infrastructure, as well as other solutions, ultimately targeted at reducing the carbon intensity of ships.
Tiago has a background in chemical engineering, having worked in the Oil & Gas, petrochemical and energy sectors before joining the shipping industry.

Policy Officer, Directorate-General for Climate Action, European Commission

Luca Colonna is a policy officer working at the European Commission, Directorate General for Climate Action. Luca is part of the team working on the decarbonisation of the shipping sector, covering the monitoring, reporting, and verification system (MRV) for greenhouse gas emissions from maritime transport and the EU ETS extension to shipping.

Luca has a background in EU affairs and previous experience in transport and international trade policy. 

Director, Business Development (Europe), Enerkem

Tiago Corvo is Director Business Development at Enerkem. In this capacity, he is responsible for business opportunities generation, validation, and development.

Mr. Corvo brings 18 years of experience in business development, technology, engineering, and project management of capital projects in the oil & gas industry.

Before joining Enerkem, he held several roles with increasing responsibility at Gusto MSC and at SBM Offshore in the Netherlands, at Pacific Oil & Gas/Woodfibre in Singapore and Canada, and at Linde Engineering in Germany. He has been involved in the different stages of development of large and complex EPC projects worldwide, from early stages through to construction and commissioning, including LNG and Natural Gas plant projects, FPSO/FLNG, drillships, heavy-lift and pipelay vessels.

Tiago has a background in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisbon.

A4S Association for Shipping 

Jorge d’Almeida has over 50 years’ experience in the maritime sector. He graduated from the Portuguese Naval Academy and holds an MS degree in Naval Engineering from MIT and an MBA in finance from New York University. He worked for 12 years in the USA, where he joined US Lines, under Malcom McLean, the containership pioneer, when he lunched the first round-the-world liner service in 1982.

He co-founded Saconsult in 2001 and has been engaged in wide-ranging projects in the maritime sector, including the launching of the Sines mega-container terminal, where he served as Managing Director.

Presently, he is the president of the Sines Port and Logistics Community.

He is a co-founder of 4Shipping, an association that promotes the Blue Economy in Portugal.

Head of Alternative Fuels & Sustainability, Peninsula

Nacho de Miguel has more than 25 years of experience in the energy business. He started in the industry as Bunker Trader at the Spanish oil company CEPSA, moving then to the role of Fuels Manager for Power Generation at Naturgy. In 2004 he joined Union Fenosa Gas where he held successive senior management positions at its global LNG business. In 2020 he moved to Peninsula to be responsible for leading the Company’s Sustainability strategy and its transition to cleaner fuels

Head of Unit Safety and Security, EMSA

Santiago Encabo is a Naval Architect as background and holds an MBA. He worked in the shipbuilding industry during some years before joining EMSA to develop the EU network of pollution response vessels. He then joined the ship safety sector where he worked on several topics including the revision of the EU Passenger Ship Safety legislation. Currently, he is Head of Unit for safety and security coordinating EMSA activities in relation to ship safety, marine equipment, port state control, accident investigation and ship security. He has also coordinated the first European Maritime Safety Report (EMSAFE).

Technical Commission President, International Shipping Register of Madeira - MAR

Presently as the President of Madeira’s International Ship Registry Technical Commission, I’ve been involved throughout all may professional career with the shipping business, mainly from a technical point of view.

Having a licence degree in Mechanical Engineering and a graduation in a negotiation specialization program, I’ve been working and closely engaged in the shipping repair business at one of the main Ship Yards in Europe in the project management department, for a considerable amount of time (15 years), allowing me for a close and practical  involvement with vessel’s technical problems and specifications and also permitting the development and enhancement of a professional relationship with several Owner’s Representatives.

Further to above and within the Technical Commission, now undertaking the mission to preserve the well renamed MAR ship registry, to continue the efforts and develop the same to be one of the world’s leading registries, well known for the quality of their fleet and the support given to all the entities that trust in MAR and see the registry as one of the most reliable and solid options for the future.

An high level of motivation drives me and the remaining Technical Commission to continue setting up the right conditions and also restrictions to allow the registry to grow and to maintain the quality that is already a characteristic and a synonym of MAR, all of this to be achieved and consolidated within a different and challenging world.

Director Global Engagement and Sustainability, OLDENDORFF CARRIERS GmbH & Co. KG

Christopher Fee is currently Director Global Engagement and Sustainability at Oldendorff Carriers, where he has been working for the dry bulk owner and operator since 2013.

Christopher moved to the company’s Fleet Department in 2015 to establish a Green Ship Desk and is now engaged in Oldendorff Carriers’ sustainability and industry engagement activities.

He has been a Member of BIMCO’s Marine Environment Committee since inception, and presently chairs their Sub-Group on Alternative Fuels. He recently joined the Board of the Liberian Shipowners’ Council and was on the Executive Committee of the Clean Shipping Alliance from its inception in 2018, resigning as Vice Chair in 2022.

Christopher also represents Oldendorff Carriers at the Sustainable Shipping Initiative.

Emerging Businesses & Shipping, Prio

Telmo Ferreira, holds a bachelor’s in economics and a master’s in finance. Throughout his professional career, Telmo accumulated experience in different economic/industry sectors with professional roles/positions related to financial markets and risk management strategies, specifically financial derivatives instruments used to mitigate commodity risk exposure. First, in the investment banking sector, pulp and paper industry and currently on the energy segment. With a strong familiar path linked to maritime industry, Telmo is now taking the opportunity to lead PRIO to be at the forefront of the shipping energy transition in Portugal. Head of Emerging Markets and Shipping in PRIO, bunkers market, maritime sustainability targets and the related new legislation coming from IMO and EU is certainly his new and biggest challenge.

Business Development Manager, GTT

Janine Fonseca graduated in Industrial Engineering in 2011 from University of Oporto in Portugal and has an MBA from Lancaster University.

She joined GTT in 2022 as a Business Development Manager for the Iberian Peninsula, Italy, Switzerland, and Africa region. She is involved in LNG shipping, LNG offshore, small scale LNG, LNG fuel markets and also in supporting the smart shipping activities of GTT subsidiaries.

Janine has some 10 years of experience in the Maritime industry. Before assuming her current role, she worked in the bunkering sector in West Africa and Singapore.

Partner, Furstenberg Maritime Advisory

Sofia, Partner at Fürstenberg Maritime Advisory (FMA), is a transition agent, helping maritime stakeholders progressing the energy shift, and developing ESG strategies for mutual value creation and risk sharing. FMA are Maritime Directors to the Ammonia Energy Association, where they facilitate knowledge sharing and connection between maritime and ammonia industries. FMA are members of the Getting To Zero Coalition and in various outfits support the UN Ocean Decade. Sofia was previously Innovation Portfolio Manager at Maersk, Business Development Manager for Nor-Shipping, and Senior Consultant at DNV. In the industry since 2006, Sofia has worked in Oslo, Singapore and Copenhagen. She is a Board Member of WISTA International. She has a MSc in Chem. Eng. from Lund University, DNV’s Top Tech Diploma from Haas Business School, Berkeley, and is a graduate of the Blue MBA, Copenhagen Business School. Sofia is based in Sweden.

Founder, OceanScore

Dr. Albrecht Gundermann has more than 20 years experience in the Shipping Industry. Before he became Managing Partner at EUROMAR, he was founder and Managing Director of LISCR Deutschland GmbH and he spent several years as Vice President of Global Shipping at Commerzbank AG. He studied law at the Universities of Freiburg and Würzburg and served as Assistant to Saxonian Prime Minister Prof. Biedenkopf and as Assistant to the President of Israeli High Court of Justice, Prof. Aharon Barak.

Key Account Manager, Eltronic FuelTech

My name is Jamal Kaddoura, and I am representing Eltronic FuelTech A/S as Key Account Manager and Ship Management Relations in Europe and the Middle East, covering both pre- and aftersales tasks and long-term service agreements (LTSAs) with our customers.

Lecturer in Maritime Economics/Head of Maritime Transport Research Group, Department of International Shipping, Logistics and Operations, University of Plymouth

Dr Stavros Karamperidis is the Head of Maritime Transport Research Group and Programme lead of the MSc International Logistics and Shipping programmes at the University of Plymouth. His research interest is in maritime transport and logistics with focus on decarbonisation/sustainability, digitalisation and security (physical and cyber). Stavros has helped several companies to improve their operations by helping them to build tailormade business models.

He is also regularly invited to deliver guest lectures at various Universities, organisations, companies and Merchant Maritime Academies around the globe, while he is also invited by leading broadcasters (e.g. BBC, Aljazeera) to comment on issues related to shipping and logistics.

Dr Karamperidis manages projects of approximate value £2.4 million.

Project Manager, Lloyd’s Register Maritime Decarbonisation Hub

Natassa Kouvertari is a Project Manager at the Lloyd’s Register Maritime Decarbonisation Hub, also involved in the Maritime Just Transition Taskforce training project  of UNGC on the skills and competencies of seafarers for the safe handling of ammonia, methanol and hydrogen. She has undertaken a number of positions in the Marine Business and South Europe Projects team at the Lloyd’s Register in Greece since she first joined in 2004.

She holds an MSc in Environment and Development from London School of Economics and a BA in International and European Studies from Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences , which was followed by an internship at the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs,

at the Directorate for UN and other International Specialized Organisations.  Natassa is an IEMA Associate Member with a genuine interest in projects that foster innovation towards a sustainable future.

Managing Director, Langh Ship Oy Ab

Mrs Laura Langh-Lagerlöf is the Managing Director and co-owner of the Finnish company Langh Group Oy Ab and its daughter company, shipping company Langh Ship Oy Ab. Laura has a master’s degree in Economics & Business Administration from Åbo Akademi University and she has since an early age been involved in the family business. Thanks to the excellent knowledge in the maritime industry and the good business sense, Laura has led the shipping company successfully.

She has from the start been a very important actor in the scrubber development and she is the Commercial Director of the scrubber manufacturer Langh Tech Oy Ab. Langh Tech’s SOx scrubbers and water treatment systems have currently been sold to over one hundred reference vessels.

Director General, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)

As Director General of CLIA in Europe, Marie-Caroline Laurent is leading industry engagement with EU Institutions, European countries, and the wider cruise community in support of policies and practices that foster secure, healthy, and sustainable cruising.

A transport policy expert, Laurent joined CLIA in November 2021 following leadership roles with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and innovation consultancy LAM LHA. At LAM LHA, Laurent led the organization’s European activities from 2018 to 2021, focusing on transport security regulatory strategy and border security matters.

Prior to LAM LHA, she was Assistant Director for EU Affairs with IATA where she developed the organization’s position on EU legislation impacting the aviation sector, advocated on IATA member airlines’ behalf, and developed IATA security and travel facilitation strategies in Europe. Earlier in her career, she worked in policy development for the Association of European Airlines and also served as a parliamentary adviser at the European Parliament and as senior policy officer at the American Chamber of Commerce to the EU.

Laurent holds a master’s degree in public administration from Sciences Po Paris (IEP) and second master’s degree in European policies from the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium.

Director for Development and Sustainability, APDL

Hugo Lopes currently serves as the Head of Development and Sustainability at APDL and is a member of the Portuguese Delegation of PIANC. In addition, he holds a non-executive board position at the Institute for Sustainable Construction at FEUP and is a member of the North Region Board Delegation of the Portuguese Water Resources Association (APRH). He also imparts his expertise as an instructor in the Master of Geotechnical and Geo-Environmental Engineering program at ISEP.

Hugo holds an MBA from the Porto Business School. He furthered his education at IMD, completing a Short Course on the Digital Discovery Expedition Program. His foundational academic qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and a PhD in Civil Engineering, both from the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP/UP). Additionally, Hugo has earned a MSc in Environmental Engineering from FEUP/UP.

APS - Ports of Sines and the Algarve Authority

He holds a PhD in Private Law from Extremadura University (Spain) and a PhD in Maritime Law from Lisbon University. He has also lectured at the Naval Academy, Military University Institute, Maritime College, and NOVA School of Law.

He holds a naval sciences degree from the Portuguese Naval Academy and is a former naval officer who attended different naval courses at the Naval Superior Institute (Lisbon), at HMS Dryad (UK), and at NATO School (Germany). He also holds the Maritime Shipping and Port Management Postgraduate Course at the Economic and Management School (Lisbon).

During his professional career as a Navy officer, he performed various duties aboard operational naval units, at the Naval Tactics Instruction Centre, and on the Navy General Staff.

Since 2016, he has been an executive member of the Board of Directors of the Port of Sines and Algarve Authority (APS, SA).

He has published over thirty books and articles on the law of the sea, maritime law, and maritime safety law.

Business Development Manager, CapWatt Metanol

Hugo has 10 years' experience in Waste to Energy sector with Business Developing scope and International Business.

He also has profound Project Management skills that he applied in the development of new projects and keeping track of the milestones ahead.

From 2023 is Business Developer at Capwatt Metanol mobilising an agenda on green methanol production, financed by the European Resilience and Recovery Plan, with a total budget of 250 M€ to implement a value chain regarding renewable methanol production and utilisation. Also, manage supply chain, guaranteeing an efficient logistic expedition of Renewable Methanol according to offtaking needs, production stock and railway availability. Always searching for new projects that combine the best match of resources needs, land availability, regulatory, local entities and offtaking. Joint venture agreements with partners that have the same growing vision and plan as Capwatt Metanol.

Sales Proposals Manager, E&A, Wärtsilä

Filipe Mineiro, as a Master Degree in Electronic Engineering, working for Wartsila the past 17 years. As taken several responsibilities, from Power Plant and Ship’s commissioning, R&D and training, is now engaged in supporting the Maritime industry decarbonization with special focus on electrical and automation projects that can help our customers continuously improve their environmental and economic performance. 

Founder, OceanScore

Jörg Molzahn is founder and Managing Partner at EUROMAR. He has 20 years of experience in the Shipping Industry.

Before joining EUROMAR, he was Senior Vice President at LISCR LLC - Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry and Managing Director at LISCR Deutschland GmbH. Jörg graduated at the University of Applied Science in Elsfleth. He sailed on board for various shipping companies such as Hartmann, Ernst Jacob, Deutsche Afrika Linie and Sea Cloud Cruises and worked ashore as a Superintendent for the shipping company Baco-Liner GmbH.

Climate, Energy and Mobility Co-ordinator, ZERO

Pedro Nunes works at ZERO – Association for the Earth System Sustainability, where he coordinates the Climate, Energy and Mobility group.

He has a degree in Sciences of the Earth, a master's in Energy and Environmental Engineering, and a PhD in Sustainable Energy Systems. Before ZERO, he worked as a post-doc researcher at Instituto Dom Luiz, with work on sustainable energy and mobility systems, energy modeling and planning, and public policies in the area of transport and environment.

General Secretary, EISAP

Secretary General, European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA)

Sotiris Raptis has been Secretary General of ECSA since 2022. He worked previously as Director for Environment in ECSA and as Senior Advisor in European Sea Ports Organisation. Sotiris was responsible for the clean shipping campaign of the NGO Transport & Environment and dealt as MEP policy advisor with environment, transport, and legal affairs in the European Parliament. He studied law at the University of Thessaloniki, University of Athens, and King’s College London. Sotiris was awarded European Citizens’ Prize 2008 of the European Parliament as member of “G700” blog for promoting intergenerational justice.

Partner, Morais Leitão

Claudia Santos Cruz has a law degree from the University of Southampton. She is a partner at Morais Leitão and as well as coordinating the practice team for Portuguese-speaking Africa, she also heads the international Shipping team.

Claudia practised as an English lawyer at DLA Piper and Watson Farley & Williams, a leading global maritime law firm and is regarded in the international legal market as one of the leading shipping lawyers in Portugal and in Portuguese-speaking countries such as Angola, Mozambique and Cape Verde.  Over the years she has advised oil companies that charter floating production and storage units, cargo and cruise companies and acted in the biggest ship finance transactions in Lusophone markets including the Coral FLNG in Mozambique. Claudia is often seen as the international lawyer dealing with foreign insurers and P&I clubs in high-profile cases. Admitted to the Bar in England (1996), Portugal (2005) and Mozambique (2018).

Managing Director, Stolt Tankers

Maren Schroeder has been appointed as Managing Director, Shipowning for Stolt Tankers in their Rotterdam, Netherlands headquarters effective April 2022.  She is responsible for ship management and newbuilding activities for Stolt Tankers’ managed fleet of over 100 deep sea and regional chemical tankers with 135 shore staff in Rotterdam, Manila, Houston and Singapore and 4100 sea staff afloat.

Ms. Schroeder joined Stolt Tankers in 2019 as Fleet Director, responsible for the safe and cost-effective operation of the Stolt fleet.  Prior to this she was Technical Head at Vroon after having held technical, fleet management and surveying positions with Exmar, Euronav and Germanischer Lloyd in Belgium and Germany.  

Ms. Schroeder is a 2004 graduate of the University of Rostock in marine engineering and naval architecture and holds an executive MBA from the WHU/Kellogg School of Management. 

She has also joined the board of ITOPF in December 2022.

Director of Environmental Regulatory and Public Affairs, Group Commercial, Bunker Holding

Maria Skipper Schwenn recently joined Bunker Holding as Director of Environmental Regulatory and Public Affairs. Her primary tasks include securing Bunker Holding staying ahead of the curve in the transition to a low-carbon maritime industry. Before joining Bunker Holding Maria worked as Executive Director, Climate, Environment and Security at Danish Shipping for 13 years. She has been deeply involved in shaping the EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime regulations, served as advisor to the Danish IMO delegation and was a member of ICS Marine Committee and ECSA Safety and Environment Committee. In her current position, Maria has joined the Future Fuels Working Group of IBIA.

Maria holds a master’s degree in Political Science from University of Southern Denmark as well as a master’s degree in European Politics and Administration from the College of Europe, Belgium.

Partner, MakingSense Consulting

Kasper Søgaard is a partner at MakingSense, a boutique consultancy founded on the belief that finding commercially viable and sustainable solutions to the complex problems facing the maritime industry today requires new ways of working rooted in trust and collaboration.

Kasper has a background as chief strategist and managing director at the Global Maritime Forum where he led the development and running of multistakeholder initiatives including the Getting to Zero Coalition, the Poseidon Principles, the Sea Cargo Charter, the Neptune Declaration and the All Aboard Alliance. Kasper also led the design of the Global Maritime Forum´s annual summit from 2018-2022 as well as collaborative workshops and events especially focusing on maritime decarbonization.

Prior to joining the Global Maritime Forum, Kasper held leadership positions in the Danish Government, where he worked on business policy, maritime growth policy, as well as international negotiations and EU affairs. Kasper lives outside Copenhagen with his family and in his free time he enjoys hiking and mountain biking.

Senior Director,Global Marine Commercial, RINA Services S.p.A.

Pino Spadafora currently serves in the marine sector as RINA’s Global Commercial Senior Director and has been living and working in Northern Europe for 17 years to continually enhance the profile of the group throughout the region. His current responsibilities encompass group strategy and external corporate development, both commercially and technically.

In terms of group strategy, he is specifically responsible for the rollout across business streams into a global plan and ensuring consistency with the company’s vision and mission. Working closely with RINA’s CEO and individual business streams, his role is to identify potential partners with whom to collaborate to grow and build the business.

Pino has acquired a wealth of experience in fleet management principles, classification services, advisory services, project management, key account management and customer service, including customer retention and satisfaction. He also has excellent knowledge and technical experience of all aspects of the marine industry, including environmental and regulatory matters.

Group CFO, Scylla AG

Over the last 8 years, Robbert Verbeek has had one of the leading roles within a leading river cruise company. Scylla AG is well-known as one of the most successful operator within the four star segment of river cruising. This family owned company now owns, employs and operate a number of forty river cruise vessels that mostly operate under Swiss flag.

With a background in tax and finance, supported by a Executive Master of Business Administration degree, Robbert has positioned the position as Group CFO within this 50 years old company.

Robbert has been one of the main drivers to register the group its Portuguese operating vessels, with a Portuguese flag and homeport Madeira. This shows the company its efforts to create a stakeholder based and local business model, for their operations on the river Douro.