Chairmen confirmed for Propulsion & Future Fuels 2019

Two industry leaders to share their knowledge at the Propulsion & Future Fuels Conference, 19-21 November 2019

The world’s largest shipping associations, BIMCO and the German Shipowners Association, VDR, who represent the fourth-largest merchant fleet in the world, have confirmed chairmanship of Propulsion & Future Fuels 2019.

Day one and two of Propulsion & Future Fuels Conference will welcome Lars Robert Pedersen, Deputy Secretary General of BIMCO and Martin Kroeger, Managing Director of VDR as chairmen of the 2019 conference, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience for delegates.

Lars Robert Pedersen joined BIMCO as Deputy Secretary General in 2010 and is currently responsible for BIMCO's technical and operational activities including membership services, technical and nautical issues and security. His role encompasses responsibility for regulatory developments related to ship operation at international, regional and national levels. Before joining BIMCO, Mr Pedersen was involved in the technical management of the Maersk fleet of container ships at A.P. Moller-Maersk.

Dr. Kröger joined the German Shipowners’ Association VDR in 2012 as Managing Director whilst also holding other prominent positions within the industry including Managing Director of the German Shipping Foundation and a Member of the Board of the German Cooperation for Social Insurance of the Transport Industry. Before joining VDR, Dr. Kröger worked as Managing Director for the Association of German Seaports Operators and was actively involved in the work of the Federation of European Private Port Operators – FEPORT in Brussels.

Marianne Rasmussen-Coulling, Events Director - Mercator Media, commented, “It’s an honour to have two of the largest shipping associations supporting our conference, the wealth of knowledge both chairmen will bring to the conference is unprecedented and we are looking forward to the event in November”. The conference will also welcome a key note speech from the University Maritime Advisory Services (UMAS). Carlo Raucci, a Principal Consultant at UMAS, will present a Zero-Emission Vessels Transition Pathways study which will identify the key conditions that need to be implemented in order to achieve transition towards a decarbonised shipping industry.

Jasper Faber, Aviation and Maritime Specialist, Manager Mobility & Transport, CE Delft will follow with the final key note address titled “2019 update: emission projections from shipping”.

Other 2019 topics include, “Using LNG as a bridge to 2030 presented by Wolfram Guntermann, Director Environmental Management, Hapag-Lloyd AG; "The future of smart shipping – autonomy, cyber-enabled ships" presented by Gijsbert de Jong, Marine Marketing & Sales Director, Bureau Veritas; and “Operator experience two years on: world’s first LNG container ship” presented by Christian Hoepfner, Managing Director, Wessels Marine GmbH.

Delegates will be able to learn, discuss and share the latest developments in efficient power and propulsion technology, alternative low flashpoint and low carbon fuels with key industry figures.