The Twelfth Annual Joint Shipping Conference, hosted by the Hellenic and Norwegian Chambers of Commerce, was held on 7 February, attracting leaders from across the maritime cluster. For 2006 the main theme was ‘The Image of Shipping: Perception or Reality’.
Michael Grey of Lloyd’s List moderated the theme panel which featured Miklos Konkoly-Thege, DNV CEO; USCG Admiral Thomas Gilmour; Hamish Norton of Bear Sterns; Paul Slater of Maritime Industry Forum; Richard Udell of the US Dept. of Justice; and Gail Yancosek, noted television producer. This makeup provided viewpoints from the public, maritime press, law enforcement, flag state, Wall Street, the industry and class.
The main thrust of the discussion was how we can create enough goodwill in the public mind to counter inevitable accidents. Miklos Konkoly-Thege announced DNV’s commitment to fund an effort to create this public-relations effort at a rate of $100,000 over five years, noting that this is a long-term effort and needs to be treated this way.
The second panel was moderated by Stephen Van Dyck, chairman of Intertanko and addressed ‘Jones Act Resurrection, Fact or Fiction’. Morten Arntzen, OSG CEO & President and Tim Casey, CEO & President of K-Sea Transportation, both strong advocates for, and investors in the Jones Act completed this panel.
Mike McClure, of Navios moderated the panel on ‘The FFA Market: Informative, Liquid and Transparent?’ Per Heilman of Heidmar, Greg Josephs of ACM-GFI McQuilling made the case for the further maturation and growth of these markets.
DNV organised an oversubscribed Environmental Forum at the New York Helmsley Hotel the day following the Joint Chamber of Shipping Conference. The forum examined current practice and future developments in the use of Oily Water Separators, and the practical effects of MARPOL Annex VI.
The forum was hosted by Blaine Collins, DNV Vice President and Regional Manager for North and South America, who led a panel of distinguished experts consisting of Rik van Hemmen, Vice President Martin, Ottaway, van Hemmen, & Dolan; USCG Admiral Thomas Gilmour; Richard Udell, Senior Trial Attorney US Dept. of Justice; and Dr Rudolph Kassinger, Technical Consultant for DNV Petroleum Services.
Blaine Collins noted the high level of attendance by the industry at both the conference and the forum, commenting: “The primary focus of events was to put the issues on the table, and, most importantly, to see some of the best practices available to the industry to improve its performance and image.”
Date: 2006-03-13