New Attendance Record for LEC Sustainable Shipping Technologies Forum on “Green Ports”

The LSSTF was launched by the Large Engine Competence Center (LEC) of the University of Graz in 2019. This forum led to the development of a partnership between LEC and Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) with its subsidiary Flotte Hamburg taking the lead. The joint goal is to create a network for the shipping sector that can further the exchange of knowledge and help advance the development of sustainable maritime propulsion
technology. As part of the Austrian COMET Competence Centers for Excellent Technology program, the large motor research center LEC in Graz carries out research and development of visionary concepts for sustainable energy and transportation systems. HPA and the Port of Hamburg provide an attractive environment for the application of such innovative technology.

Because of the Covid pandemic, the second LSSTF was held as a purely online event, but this year it was possible to use a hybrid form with the speakers meeting in Hamburg. “I am pleased that we had the opportunity to exchange ideas and build networks again this year. Some 600 people from 25 countries and five continents registered online for the event this year. That is a record number and shows how great the interest in the topic of ‘Green Ports’ is,” said Karsten Schönewald, CEO of Flotte Hamburg. “LSSTF links a large network of various people in the areas of research and business. Thus, it is not only an excellent supplement to the “Shipbuilding, Machinery & Marine Technology” (SMM) trade fair held directly following it, but also underlines the relevance of international cooperation for sustainable shipping.”

“We need to pull all the stops to achieve the climate goals set for 2050! This applies particularly to the maritime sector, since ships operate over a very long period. Retrofitting and e-fuels will play a key role in decarbonizing shipping. We need to join forces, promote innovation, and develop a diverse range of
Technologies. With our annual forum, we want to support international cooperation and networking in the area of green shipping,” LEC’s CEO Andres Wimmer emphasized.

Further topics at this year’s forum were “advanced propulsion and ship design,” fuel reforming, and carbon capture, as well as ship efficiency technologies. For further information see: LEC Sustainable Shipping Technologies Forum (shippingforum.at)