8:30 am

WELCOME – PORT HOUSTON

Rich Byrnes
Chief Infrastructure Officer
Port Houston

8:45 am

MAXIMIZING THE FUTURE OF AMERICA’S CONTAINER PORTS

John McCown
Senior Non-Resident Fellow
Center for Maritime Strategy

9:15 am

PANAMA PORTS AND THE PANAMA CANAL: GATEWAY TO THE WORLD

Synopsis: The Panama Canal initiated operations in 1914 and doubled its capacity in 2016. It is the heart of a maritime complex that has five container terminals handling more than 8 million TEUS annually under its area of influence. Today the canal covers 180 maritime routes, providing connections to 170 countries and 1920 ports, transiting more than 14,000 vessels annually, making it a “Gateway of the World”.

Ambassador Juan B. Sosa
Former Ambassador to the U.S.
Republic of Panama

Argelis Moreno Lopez
Senior Forecast & Market Analysis Specialist, Liner Services Segment
Panama Canal Authority

9:45 am

PANAMA: LOGISTICS CENTER OF THE AMERICAS

Synopsis: Ambassador Vergara’s presentation underscores Panama’s critical role as a logistics hub in the Western Hemisphere, highlighting its strategic position in facilitating trade between Houston, the United States, and Latin America. Beyond illustrating Panama’s logistical capabilities, strengthened by the 2016 expansion of the Panama Canal, the presentation delves into the myriad investment opportunities within Panama’s diverse logistics ecosystem. This ecosystem encompasses extensive services and infrastructure, including six major container terminals and the Zona Libre of Colon (Colon Free Trade Zone), which cater to the global supply chain’s demands. Such infrastructure, coupled with a comprehensive array of logistics services, positions Panama as an indispensable partner for Houston, enabling access to new markets and fostering economic growth across the Americas. By emphasizing the dynamic collaboration between Panama and Houston, the presentation showcases how Panama’s strategic location and logistics expertise not only enhance connectivity and trade diversification in the Western Hemisphere but also present lucrative investment opportunities in developing state-of-the-art logistics, infrastructure projects, and services that support the global supply chain.

Ambassador Carmen Gisela Vergara
Former Ambassador to the U.S.
Republic of Panama

10:15 am

Break

11:00 am

A VISION OF THE FUTURE – SUEZ CANAL ECONOMIC ZONE

Waleid Gamal Eldien
Chairman
Suez Canal Economic Zone

11:30 am

SITUATION ANALYSIS – THE RED SEA SHIPPING LANES

Synopsis: Since Autumn 2023, the Houthi group in Yemen has attacked shipping vessels in the Red Sea, Disrupting maritime trade in one of the world’s most important waterways. In response to the assaults, launched following the outbreak of war in Israel and Gaza, a coalition of Western countries has retaliated against Houthi targets and deployed naval forces to protect commercial ships.

Rear Admiral Wayne R. Arguin, Jr.
Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy (CG-5P)
U.S. Coast Guard

12:00 pm

Lunch Break

1:00 pm

THE PORT WORKFORCE: YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND TOMORROW

Moderator: Rich Byrnes, Chief Infrastructure Officer, Port Houston
Panelist: Alan Robb, President, South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District, International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA)
Panelist: Peter Beard, Senior Vice President for Regional Workforce Development

2:00 pm

PANEL: THE INTERNATIONAL PROPELLER CLUB MARITIME EDUCATION INITIATIVE

Synopsis: The International Propeller Club has embarked on a program to prepare a new generation to take its place in the maritime industry, through development of high school maritime curriculums, college scholarships for maritime studies, supporting trade schools that prepare young people to work in ports and the shipping industry, and mentoring young adults regarding careers in the maritime industry.

Moderator: RADM Joel Whitehead (USCG, Ret), International Propeller Club
Panelist: John Hark, Jr, Regional Director, Bertling Logistics, and Adjunct Professor, Texas A&M University at Galveston
Panelist: M. Kelly Hendry, President, Hendry Marine Industries
Panelist: Jeremy Smith, Ph.D, Faculty of Logistics Keiser University and Vice President for Student Ports, International Propeller Club

3:00 pm

Break

3:30 pm

PANEL: PORT SUCCESSION PLANNING

Synopsis: With projected retirements over the next 5-8 years, the Port industry will be subject to a significant turnover of executive talent. Succession planning is how an organization strategically develops a broad, deep talent pipeline. Succession planning requires an organization to consider how it is developing talent at every level.

Moderator: James Nash, Director of Maritime Operations, WGMA
Panelist: Phyllis Saathoff, Executive Director and CEO, Port Freeport
Panelist: Roy J. Wilson, President and General Partner, Cameron Kinston Associates
Panelist: Lorena Parada-Valdes, Organizational Development Manager, Port of Corpus Christi

4:30 pm

PANEL: HIGHER EDUCATION PORT AND MARITIME PROGRAMS

Synopsis: A panel discussion of university programs designed to prepare interested students for careers in ports, shipping, and the maritime industry.

Moderator: Keziah Khan, Texas Southern University
Panelist: Robert Dubois, Executive Director, Center for Advances in Port Management, Lamar University
Panelist: Alok Verma, PhD, Texas A&M University – Galveston
Panelist: John Stauffer, San Jacinto College, a MARAD Center of Excellence
Panelist: Margaret Kidd, Associate Professor, University of Houston

1:00 pm

LATIN AMERICAN AND THE CARIBBEAN: PORT DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES

Speaker: Jorge Duran, Chief of Section, Inter-American Committee on Ports, Organization of American States

1:30 pm

PORTS OF PANAMA: VISIONS OF THE FUTURE

Synopsis: Panama is a maritime country with coasts in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It has served as a bridge since colonial days when Spaniards used the isthmus as a dry canal to access its colonies in the Pacific Central and South America. Through the centuries it has developed a deep maritime culture that today includes the Panama Canal, five international container terminals, a trans-isthmian railroad, the largest ship registry in the world, its own maritime legal bureau, and fifty-three merchant marine consulates across the world in leading city-ports. The panel discussion prepared for the “Port of the Future” conference presents a broad picture of Panama’s worldwide leadership in the maritime sector, connection with 1920 ports around the world and trade routes.

Moderator: Ambassador Juan B. Sosa, President of the U.S. – Panama Business Council
Panelist: Juan Carlos Croston, Vice President Marketing and Corporate Affairs, Manzanillo International Terminal (MIT-Panama))
Panelist: John Moseley, Chief Commercial Officer, Port of Houston
Panelist: Jaime A. Sosa, Consul General of Panama in Houston, representing the Panama Ship Registry

2:30 pm

Break

3:00 pm

NOVAPORTE, CAPE BRETON, NOVA SCOTIA

Synopsis: This presentation focuses on the planned Novaporte port development, a 2000+ acre greenfield port privately led by Sydney Harbour Investment Partners (SHIP) and equity partners Membertou First Nation. Strategically located on the East Coast of North America in Sydney, Nova Scotia Canada.

Novaporte’s vision is to build out North America’s largest East Coast port hub for offshore wind and green energy production. When completed, Novaporte will be a multi-use port hub that will accommodate offshore wind marshalling, manufacturing and assembly, operations and maintenance, green hydrogen and ammonia production and export, along with other maritime services.

Phase One of the Novaporte development, conducted in partnership with Blue Water Shipping, a global leader in offshore wind port operations and logistics, will be a 200+ acre offshore wind marshalling port, projected to begin operations by 2027, to support critical offshore wind supply chain demands in both the Northeast United States and Canada.a transportation, logistics and green energy development in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, in partnership with Blue Water Shipping and equity partner Membertou First Nation, has embarked in an effort to restructure its facilities to develop a major marshalling hub in Sydney, Nova Scotia for offshore wind energy servicing the Northeast Atlantic U.S. and Eastern Canada.

Presenter: Kathleen Yurchesyn, Vice President, Operations and Corporate Development, NovaPorte
Presenter: Charles Edward Haymaker, Head of Infrastructure, Americas , Blue Water Shipping

4:00 pm

LONG SON PORT, BA RIA VUNG TAU PROVINCE, VIET NAM

Synopsis: Vietnam will invest in the creation of a port to support steel production and manufacturing at the at its Long Son complex. The total projected investment is $403 million, to be made in two stages.

Presenter: David Lewis, ECV Holdings
Presenter: TBD, Long Son Port

1:00 pm

“THE INTERMODAL CHASSIS: CONNECTING PORT AND INLAND SUPPLY CHAINS”

Synopsis: The container has become the norm in international trade and logistics by offering a form of standardization in intermodalism. As a transport and storage unit, the container allows regional modes such as trains, barges, or trucks to interact with global maritime shipping services. However, crucial segments of port and inland intermodal operations rely on providing intermodal chassis, an issue that became apparent during the “great intermodal entanglement” of 2021-22.

The presentation focuses on the present and future challenges of intermodal chassis provision with a focus on the unique characteristics of the American market.

Speaker: Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Ph.D, Author/Professor, Department of Maritime Business Administration, Texas A&M University at Galveston

1:30 pm

PANEL: NEW BARGE TECHNOLOGIES

Synopsis: A panel discussion of recent advancements and initiatives in barge technologies. The barge transport industry has experienced a significant transformation through the implementation of advanced technology systems designed to optimize barge transport operations. The integration of autonomous navigation systems, has reduced accidents, minimized fuel consumption, increased cargo capacity while enhancing overall operational productivity.

Moderator: Michael Arnett, Protective Security Advisor, Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency
Panelist: Justin Slater, Vice President of Business Development, Fincantieri Marine Group
Panelist: Scott Puckett, Senior Marine Engineer, Shell Shipping & Maritime US
Panelist: Joel Thigpen, General Manager, Marine New Build Sales, Wärtsilä
Panelist: Tom Paeshuys, Representative Port Antwerp-Bruges North America

2:30 pm

Break

3:00 pm

THE TEAL PROJECT

Synopsis: T.E.A.L., or Tube Enclosed Air Levitated Transport System, is a new concept in high-speed, underground movement of full-size, oceangoing, cargo containers via subterranean pipelines. Designers tout T.E.A.L. as a compliment to existing infrastructure, is virtually pollution free, and is impervious to the effects of weather, relatively inexpensive, non-disruptive to build and maintain, and can transport cargo quickly, safely, and efficiently.

Presenter: Steve Catha, CEO, The Touchstone Group
Presenter: James Bryant, Principal Consultant, R Bryant and Associates
Presenter: Dr. Mo Najafi, Director, CRUISE, University of Texas at Arlington

4:00 pm

PANEL: ADVANCES IN SMART CONTAINER TECHNOLOGY

Synopsis: This is a panel discussion on the latest advances in smart container technology. The adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) devices has rapidly increased across a wide range of industries. Smart Containers are shipping ISO containers equipped with IoT technologies and a range of sensors and devices. These devices can detect door opening or an impact event, provide precise GPS positions and container orientation, measure temperature, pressure, humidity and luminosity, and establish the presence of volatile organic compound gases. In essence, advances in this technology is a game-changer for the shipping industry as it provides real time data that can help to optimize supply chains, reduce fuel consumption and improve fleet management processes.

Moderator: Thomas Beck, the Howland Group, Inc.
Panelist: Roman Sandoval, CEO/Founder, Allosense
Panelist: Niel Furkuawa, CEO AKUA
Panelist: Ian Walter, CEO, Net Feasa LLC

5:00 pm

Closing

8:00 am

CREATING THE FIRST LEED GOLD-CERTIFIED CRUISE TERMINAL

Synopsis: The Royal Caribbean’s Galveston Cruise Terminal is the world’s first LEED Gold-certified cruise facility. The 100 percent solar-powered terminal operates with zero reliance on the local grid. Construction prioritized lower carbon materials, high indoor air quality, minimal landfill waste and reduced exterior lighting pollution.

Speaker: Robert Henkel, Vice President, Galveston Cruise, CERES Terminals, Inc.

8:30 am

CRUISE TERMINALS – BIOMETRIC IDENTIFICATION TECHNOLOGIES

Synopsis: The Port of Galveston, a focal point for cruise ships in the Caribbean, and the Department of Homeland Security Office of Biometric Identity Management discuss advances in biometric identification and the use of these technologies in cruise terminals.

Moderator: Julio R. Gonzales, Supervisory Protective Security Advisor, Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency
Panelist: Rodger Rees, CEO, Galveston Wharves
Panelist: Peter Bergeron, Senior Director of Public Safety and Security, Port Canaveral
Panelist: Richard E. Conrad, DHS Office of Biometric Identify Management (pending DHS approval)
Panelist: Larry A. Panetta, Director, Biometrics Program, U.S. Customs and Border Protection

9:30 am

Break

10:00 am

PANEL: PORT AND TERMINALS – PRIVATE 5G NETWORKS

Synopsis: Nokia has deployed a private LTE network for US port operator Husky Terminal and Stevedoring, based at the Port of Tacoma in Washington. The new network, running in CBRS spectrum, covers around 115 acres. In 2022 , Santos Port Brasil Terminal Portuário (BTP) partnered with telecommunications providers TIM and Nokia to implement a private 5G network at the port.

Speaker: Brayton Sparks, Nokia

11:00 am

LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY TO INCREASE PORT OPERATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE

Synopsis: Ports are experiencing a range of global shifts, from pressures to decarbonize and increase through-put with existing physical infrastructure, to adding physical infrastructure that increases capacity and resilience. These shifts come amidst global supply chain uncertainty and emerging digital solutions. The influx of funding from the Inflation Reduction Act and related Bills, which really have formed the basis of America’s Industrial Strategy, is creating a generational opportunity. How will Ports leverage new technologies to inform infrastructure expansion and climate resilience investments AND increase operational effectiveness and productivity? Ports can capitalize on this opportunity by developing holistic strategies that decarbonize and modernize ports with its stakeholders while creating economic growth, jobs and prosperity.

Speaker: Kevin Pollari, Principal, Deloitte
Speaker: Andrew Pau, Partner, Deloitte
Speaker: Eric Olafson, Director, Global Trade & Business Development, Port of Miami

12:00 pm

Lunch

1:00 pm

BRIDGING THE DIGITAL COMMUNICATION GAP: TANGER MED & WARTSILA PORT OPTIMIZATION TEAMS EXPERIENCES OF BUILDING A PORT ECOSYSTEM

Synopsis: Tanger Med, the largest Mediterranean and African container port, and Wartsila past 3 years have been working to bring multiple stakeholders together to build a port ecosystem including JIT to decrease carbon footprint and enabling Stakeholder engagement. This partnership positions Tanger Med and Wärtsilä as champions of the Smart Marine ecosystem, whereby data exchange will improve operational efficiency, port safety, and environmental sustainability in shipping, including reducing carbon and greenhouse gas emissions. The PMIS is addressing the needs of the leading maritime liners and alliances calling at Tanger Med Port Complex, to optimize their vessel calls and to use standardized master and event data. Tanger Med is strongly committed to the International Taskforce PCO (Port Call Optimisation), which is bringing together several international ports including Port of Rotterdam, Antwerp, Hamburg and Los Angeles to harmonize and optimize procedures for the management of maritime calls.

Partnership includes Wärtsilä Voyage’s Navi-Port system is a digital platform that facilitates the exchange of real-time data between ships and their destination ports to allow accurate arrival times, thereby saving fuel and costly waiting time at anchor. Together with a global port efficiency project by co-developing a new cutting-edge Port Management Information System (PMIS) both organizations sealed their long-term commitment to deploy modern Smart Port tools for port operations and digitalization – including implementing Just-In-Time (JIT) solutions, machine learning and AI as well as other innovative solutions. JIT reduces the need for vessels to wait at anchorage, bringing down congestion and the risk of collisions, also lessening GHG and carbon emissions. Plus, the PMIS digitalizes the entire port-call process, reducing chances of human error and increasing efficiencies.

Tanger Med is the leading African and Mediterranean port complex. It’s a global logistics gateway located on the Strait of Gibraltar with handling capacities of 9 million containers, export of 1 million new vehicles, transit of 7 million passengers and 700,000 trucks on an annual basis. Tanger Med Port Complex encompasses three ports (Tanger Med 1, Tanger Med 2 and Trucks and Passengers port) as well as the adjacent logistical zone.

Speaker: Olga Davletalieva, Head of Ports Advisory Services, Wärtsilä
Speaker: Hicham Kharoufi, Port Call Optimization and Invoicing Manager, Tanger Med Port Authority

1:30 pm

PLANNING FOR GROWTH: A STRUCTURED & QUANTIFIED APPROACH FOR CAPACITY PLANNING – GEORGIA PORTS AUTHORITY

Synopsis: The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) manages the largest single container terminal (Garden City Terminal – GCT) in North America encompassing 1,345 acres. In fiscal year 2012, GPA moved just under 3 million TEUs. In FY2022 GPA handled 5.9 million TEUs, effectively doubling the volume in a 10 year span.

Key to the success is the systematic and quantified approach GPA has taken since 2012 in terms of capacity planning. This approach consists of a capacity improvement program looking ahead 10 years. Each possible improvement measure is quantified using detailed (simulations) to determine the benefit. This is done for each major component (berth, yard, gate and rail) allowing GPA to map out the timing of each measure to ensure capacity is available in time. Portwise and GPA will look back on the past 10 years (implemented improvement programs and lessons learned) as well as provide insight in the outlook for the next 10 years (programs and capacity development).

Speaker: Jeroen Kats, Project Director, Portwise
Speaker: Ed McCarthy, COO, Georgia Ports

2:30 pm

Break

3:00 pm

INTEGRATED SOFTWARE SYSTEMS IN CONTAINER TERMINALS: PLANNING FOR QUALITY AND REDUCING RISK

Synopsis: Automated container terminals rely on highly integrated software systems to coordinate and control diverse aspects of operations. The integration of diverse outside vendor products and customized solutions can introduce significant risk to implementation and optimization of automated terminals. By introducing a strategic, unified approach to software quality and defect management across all systems and vendors, this risk can be mitigated to acceptable levels. Hatch will present based on their experience with two container terminal automation projects at the Port of Los Angeles: TraPac and APM Terminals. Examples and lessons learned from the case studies, along with suggested industry best practices for QA in highly integrated terminal environments, will be presented.

Speaker: Ed Backlund, PE, Regional Lead, Ports & Terminals, Hatch
Speaker: Mike Lai, PE, Regional Ports & Terminals Lead, Hatch
Speaker: Berenice Buenrostro, Sr. Software QA Manager, APM Terminals Pier 400, Port of Los Angeles

4:00 pm

UNMANNED SYSTEMS MANAGING MARITIME RISK

Synopsis: Aging infrastructure, incident impact, security threats, hull condition, hypoxia, etc. The maritime industry often has a good handle on what happens above the water line, but what about below? Historic weather events and international conflicts can change safe routes of navigation overnight. Clean water as a global resource is becoming more scarce everyday globally as hypoxic conditions, dead zones for marine life, continue to grow. Use of divers and other manual operations to define underwater conditions is costly, often adds significant risk, takes additional time to manually generate technical reports, and takes time away from operations.

Current technologies generate high-resolution data for surface and sub-surface hazard and threat definition. Using small un-crewed vessels such as Unmanned Surface Vessels (USV) and Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) with real-time displays affords instant high-resolution feedback gathered from a safe distance. Combined, these technologies define conditions to reduce diver/human cost and risk for hull inspections, provide mapping of hypoxic (dead zones for marine life) and bacteria-infested waters, analyze sediment buildup and quality for removal of structures, and aid in client compliance efforts. MerLion offers safe, timely, and cost-efficient USV and ROV systems easily deployed to provide critical data supporting decisions affecting safety, security, and ecological sustainability.

Speaker: Arnie Tyler, President, Merlion Advisory Group

5:45 pm

DEEP TREKKER REVOLUTION ROV DEMONSTRATION

Synopsis: Prior to the Port Houston Tour, MerLion will conduct a demonstration involving the launch and operation of the Deep Trekker Revolution ROV at the Port Houston Turning Basin. This technology demonstration is “hands-on” inspecting the ships’ hull and adjacent pier structures. End products such as a hull image and inspection will be displayed on a large TV screen for all to see throughout the event. Attendees are invited to take a turn at the helm.

Demonstrator: Serena Brown, Account Executive, Deep Trekker
Demonstrator: Dan Randall, Director, Maritime Operations, MerLion Advisory Group

8:00 am

DATA SECURITY – THE USE OF CHINESE-BUILT CRANES

Synopsis: Cybersecurity threats arise from the reliance on untrusted vendors in critical infrastructure environments. U.S. intelligence agencies have identified potential data gathering from the use of Chinese-built cranes by American ports as a National Security issue. Peoples Republic of China (PRC)-manufactured ship-to-shore (STS) cranes make up the largest share of the global STS crane market and account for nearly 80% of the STS cranes at U.S. ports. By design, these cranes may be controlled, serviced, and programmed from remote locations, and those features potentially leave PRC-manufactured STS cranes vulnerable to exploitation, threatening the maritime elements of the national transportation system.

Speaker: Julio R. Gonzales, Supervisory Protective Security Advisor, Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency

8:30 am

SINGLE-WINDOW MARITIME DATA EXCHANGE

Synopsis: The International Maritime Organization (IMO) Facilitation Committee amended the Facilitation (FAL) Convention which will make a ‘Single Window’ system for data exchange mandatory in ports around the world, a significant step in improving digitalization in shipping. The amendments are expected to enter into force on 1 January 2024. The amendments update the provisions of the FAL Convention on electronic data exchange in ports for ship clearance, making it mandatory for public authorities to establish, maintain and use Single Window systems for the electronic exchange of information required during the arrival, stay and departure of ships in ports. In addition, public authorities will have to combine or coordinate the electronic transmission of the data to ensure that information is submitted only once and reused to the maximum extent possible.

Moderator: Albert Hernandez, U.S. Coast Guard
Panelist: Thomas Damsgaard, BIMCO
Panelist: Olga Davletalieva, Head of Ports Advisory Services, Wärtsilä
Panelist: Darwin Telemaque, CEO, Port Authority of Antigua and Barbados

9:30 am

Break

10:00 am

CASE STUDY: PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE NETWORK NODES (PINNs) – PORT CORPUS CHRISTI

Synopsis: The Port of Corpus Christi Authority has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Autonomy Institute Inc. to develop and deploy intelligent and autonomous projects along the port’s Joe Fulton International Trade Corridor. The agreement between the two parties provides the Joe Fulton International Trade Corridor as a natural use case and proving ground for the deployment of intelligent infrastructure, such as Public Infrastructure Network Nodes (PINN), NextG wireless, assured position navigation timing, edge computing and smart IoT devices. The new partnership is a continuation of the Port of Corpus Christi’s established Technology Advancement Program, which is designed to foster innovation to enhance safety and efficiency across multiple modes of freight mobility.

Presenter: Jeff Decoux, President, the Autonomy Institute
Panelist: Leslie Ruta, Director of Planning, Port of Corpus Christi

11:00 am

CASE STUDY: PORT TANGER MED – DIGITALIZATION PLAN

Synopsis: The Port of Tanger Med engaged PhDSoft to assist in increasing its capabilities in the areas of digitalization and information sharing, resulting in the development of digital twin for port operations.

Speaker: Rosana Ellis, Chief Operating Office, PhDSoft
Speaker: Chawki Benouarrek, Chief Digital Officer Group, Tanger Med Port Authority

12:00 pm

Lunch

1:00 pm

MAKING AUTOMATION WORK…

Synopsis: Automation does not guarantee financial and operational success. Autonomy and autonomous technologies continue to disrupt established industries with opportunities to improve operational efficiency and safety. Looking at a 5 to 10 year time horizon, new and emerging autonomous technologies and accompanying regulation will continue to evolve, changing the port landscape as we know it today. Emerging technologies including Internet of Things (IoT), Vehicle and Equipment Automation, Drones, and Energy Technologies may all potentially be implemented and scaled in a port environment, requiring ports to proactively plan and adapt to technological and regulatory implications of implementing these new autonomous technologies. Three distinguishing factors identify ports and corporations that derive the greatest results from automation: they make automation a strategic priority, focus on people as much as technology, and develop an operating model that enables scaling.

Speaker: Jeff DeCoux, President, Autonomy Institute
Speaker: Brooke Kennedy, Senior Manager, Deloitte

1:30 pm

PANEL: PORT AUTOMATION – PORT HAMBURG, GERMANY

Synopsis: The Port of Hamburg has long been acknowledged as a world leader and benchmark to Automation. Its largest terminal, Hamburg Container Terminal Burchardkai (CTB) decided to move forward with an ambitious automation project whilst fully operational. This case study seeks to share the challenges and success of this automation project in a port that is remains fully operational 100 percent of the time.

Speaker: Pablo Bowen-Bobenreith, HPC Vice President Americas and Associate Partner

2:30 pm

Break

3:00 pm

MANAGING THE PORT OF QUEBEC’S EMISSIONS THROUGH DATA-DRIVEN INSIGHTS

Synopsis: The first sustainability data assessment tool of its type, RightShip’s Maritime Emissions Portal (MEP), is a proprietary product designed to support ports in reducing their emissions outputs through data-driven insights. The MEP has been designed as a tool to support port operators to better and more accurately understand ship-based emissions and use that evidence to identify opportunities to reduce emissions. The tool combines sophisticated Automatic Identification System (AIS) movement data and RightShip’s unique vessel insight data, to identify problem areas and opportunities to reduce environmental impact.

Speaker: Pierre-Luc Gosselin, Director Business Intelligence at Quebec Port Authority
Speaker: Nuno Vendeirinho, Business Development Manager, Rightship

4:00 pm

JAMAICA PORT COMMUNITY SYSTEM

Synopsis: Jamaica’s Port Community System (PCS) Project enhances efficiency and facilitates the real-time transfer of data to improve trading conditions in its ports. This cloud-based platform is designed to facilitate 24/7/365 availability and is accessible from anywhere. Jamaica has built multiple layers of redundancy into its Port Community System’s architecture with dedicated teams to monitoring and ensuring service continuity.

Speaker: Dwain Powell, Vice President for Port Community System Operator, Port Authority of Jamaica

8:00 am

PORT DECARBONIZATION SURVEY: TRENDS AND LESSONS LEARNED

Synopsis: More than ever ports are focusing on mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, criteria pollutants, etc. in order to improve air quality. The US government has allocated billions of dollars in grant funding opportunities to support this effort. The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) and the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has joined hands to survey ports to understand where the ports are in their journey, what is working, what isn’t and what the maritime industry can learn from the projects and planning efforts currently underway to improve the air quality.

Speaker: Veneela Ammula, Senior Engineer, American Bureau of Shipping

8:30 am

ABS STUDY – NUCLEAR POWER IN MARITIME OPERATIONS

Synopsis: ABS is playing a pioneering role in supporting the development of nuclear propulsion for commercial vessels. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded ABS a contract to support the acceleration of commercial maritime demonstration projects using advanced nuclear reactor technologies. This work includes understanding the barriers to the adoption of advanced nuclear technology for maritime applications. In addition to the DOE award, ABS has commissioned Herbert Engineering Corporation (HEC) to explore the potential of advanced modern reactor technology for commercial marine propulsion. The Herbert study is designed to help the industry better understand the feasibility and safety implications of nuclear propulsion and to support future developmental projects.

Moderator: LCDR Alexandra Mostroms, U.S. Coast Guard
Speaker: Meg Dowling, Corporate Technology Engineer, ABS
Speaker: Sanjay Mukhi, Collaboration Manager, National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC)
Speaker: Rob Tagg, Senior Principal Naval Architect, Herbert Engineering Corporation

9:30 am

Break

11:00 am

PANEL: NUCLEAR FLOATING POWER PLANTS IN PORT OPERATIONS

Synopsis: A floating nuclear power plant is a floating power station that derives its energy from a nuclear reactor. Instead of a stationary complex on land, they consist of a floating structure such as an offshore platform, barge, or conventional ship. Since the reactors employed are smaller in size and power than most commercial land-based reactors, mostly derived from nuclear ship and submarine power plants, the power output is generally a fraction of a conventional nuclear power plant, usually around 100MWe, although some are planned to have as much as 800MWe.

Moderator: CDR Brad Bergan, U.S. Coast Guard
Panelist: Scott Edwards, Director, Regulatory Development, CorePower
Panelist: Jan Emblemsvag, PhD, Professor, Norwegian University of Science and Technology

11:00 am

CASE STUDY: PORT OF DETROIT DECARBONIZATION PROJECT

Synopsis: The Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority, in partnership with Tunley Engineering and Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision, is embarking on an ambitious decarbonization project, creating a pathway to net zero carbon emissions by 2040, while at the same time making strides to improve air quality immediately. The project will implement a range of innovative technologies and methods to reduce emissions and promote cleaner energy sources, positioning the Port of Detroit as a leader in sustainable port operations.

Panelist: Dr. Robert Moorcroft, Carbon Reduction Scientist, Tunley Environmental
Panelist: Mark Schrupp, Executive Director, Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority

12:00 pm

Lunch Break

1:00 pm

SHORE POWER TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT AND THE SHORE POWER EMISSIONS CALCULATOR

Synopsis: The EPA’s Shore Power Technology Assessment at U.S. Ports – 2022 Update characterizes the technical and operational aspects of shore power systems in the U.S. and shows an approach for comparing shore power and vessel emissions while at berth.

Speaker: Arman Tanman, Mechanical/Environmental Engineer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

1:30 pm

PANEL: ONSHORE POWER SUPPLY

Synopsis: Onshore Power Supply (OPS) can be known as Shore Power, Shoreside Electricity (SSE), Alternative Maritime Power (AMP), High-Voltage Shore Connection (HSCV), or Cold Ironing. OPS is a rapidly growing weapon in a port’s arsenal to combat emissions. In June 2021, European ports including Antwerp-Bruges, Bremerhaven, Hamburg, Haropa Port and Rotterdam signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to “enable maximal deployment” of OPS for its container segments by 2028. in July 2021, the European Commission published an updated FuelEU Maritime set of proposals, that require all EU ports with over 50 annual containership calls over the past three years to have OPS output to cover at least 90% of that energy demand.

Moderator: Geoffrey Gauthier, Commercial and New Business Development for Shipping and Maritime, Shell
Panelist: Alexandra Pierce, Port of Juneau, Alaska
Panelist: Ralf Nielsen, Vice President, Business Development Americas, PowerCo
Panelist: Joel Thigpen, General Manager, Marine New Build Sales, Wärtsilä
Panelist: Mark Longridge, Capital Project Manager, Port Seattle

2:30 pm

Break

3:00 pm

THE GREEN MARITIME & PORT ALLIANCE (GMPA)

Synopsis: Denmark and the USA share a common commitment to facilitate the green transition of the global maritime sector. The GMPA seeks to open doors to US Ports, ship owners, local and national authorities, research institutions, and other maritime stakeholders for Danish maritime and energy companies with sustainable green solutions for the maritime sector.

Moderator: David Walker, Vice President, ABS
Panelist: Jesper Raakjær, Group Chief Visionary Officer, Port of Aalborg
Panelist: Vesa Koivumaa, Blue Sky Maritime Coalition Liaison to the GMPA
Panelist: Morten Siem Lynge, Consul General | Head of Energy North America, Kingdom of Denmark

4:00 pm

PANEL: PORT ELECTRIFICATION PLANS

Synopsis: Port electrification serves as a long-term solution for operators in the United States to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce carbon footprints through infrastructure upgrades. Technology is well-developed for implementing the infrastructure needed for port electrification, with many operators already utilizing such solutions as charger and grid upgrades in daily operations. While many port operators have hesitations over the significant lead time and capital investment it takes to implement electrification solutions, regulations at the federal, state, and municipal level may soon mandate the practice.

Moderator: Will Marshall, Freight Program Manager, Freight Electrification, The Electrification Coalition
Panelist: Ricardo Schiappacasse, Director, Special Cargo, Port of Jacksonville (JAXPORT Express Project)
Panelist: Janine Moreau Monsour, Head of Accounts, PortNola (New Orleans)
Panelist: Fritz Kuebler, Director of Business Development, RPower
Panelist: Giles Pettifor, Environmental Manager, Port of Hueneme

8:00 am

LITHIUM-ION BATTERY FIRES ON BOARD VESSELS

Synopsis: The presentation addresses the increased risks and challenges with shipboard fires on vessels carrying Lithium-ion batteries as cargo and what ports can do to better prepare their port for an incident. Whether being carried as stand-alone cargo, installed in electric vehicles, or being carried as Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), a shipboard fire involving Li-ion batteries presents unique challenges not only to vessel crew members, but also to shore-side professional fire fighters who respond to vessel fires within a port. Recommendations and best practices from a loss prevention/mitigation point of view will be presented.Infrastructure and Cybersecurity Agency (CISA), Department of Homeland Security

Speaker: CAPT Randall Lund, MBA, CMS, Sr. Marine Consultant, Allianz

8:30 am

CARGO SCREENING: COSMIC RAY TOMOGRAPHY

Synopsis: The Port of Freeport, Bahamas, uses the Multi-Mode Passive Detection System (MMPDS) port scanner, an example of Cosmic Ray Tomography (CRT), that can be used to detect both shielded nuclear material, explosives, and contraband. The scanner is large enough for a cargo container to pass through, making it a scaled-up version of the Mini Muon Tracker. It then produces a 3-D image of what is scanned. Developed by Los Alamos National Laboratory and commercialized by Decision Sciences as the Discovery scanning system, Cosmic Ray Tomography (CRT) is seen as state-of-the art scanning – a safe, viable alternative to x-ray and gamma ray technology.

Speaker: Christopher Morris, Fellow, Los Alamos National Laboratory
Speaker: Konstantin Borozdin, PhD, Principal Scientific Advisor, Decision Sciences International Corporation

9:30 am

Break

10:00 am

Panel: SOUTH COAST REGIONAL INNOVATION ENGINE ON CYBERSECURITY

Synopsis: The South Coast Regional Innovation Engine seeks to conduct research to understand the interdependencies, vulnerabilities, and risks in the maritime transportation ecosystem in order to develop technologies to materially improve cybersecurity through partnerships with academia, industry and government. It envisions a world class Innovation Engine for maritime cybersecurity education, research, experimentation, investment, and commercialization of products with regional and national impact.

Moderator: Robert Hawn, Vice President, Maritime Affairs, WGMA
Panelist: COL Warren Parker, USMC (retired), COO, Maritime Cybersecurity Institute
Panelist: Rick Siebenaler, CEO, Maritime Cybersecurity Institute

11:00 am

SEAGULL PORT SURVEILLANCE OPERATIONS

Synopsis: Water traffic surveillance systems have limitations that make it difficult to capture all traffic, leaving room for criminal activities. Security guards may miss up to 90% of objects after only 20 minutes of screen monitoring. Pleasure craft and vessels that operate stealthily are especially difficult to detect, as they do not use or deactivate AIS transponders and radar fails to provide comprehensive details. To address these challenges, ports in the United Kingdom have partnered with BrainCreations to field Seagull Surveillance. Seagull Surveillance employs AI technology to automatically detect and record all water traffic in ports, harbors, locks, bridges, and waterways using existing camera installations. Seagull can also generate alarms for rapid incident response, making it an accessible and effective way to improve safety and save costs.

Speaker: Jasper Wognum, Brain Creations

12:00 pm

BREAK

1:00 pm

LOGINK LOGISTICS PLATFORM – CAPABILITIES AND CAUTIONS

Synopsis: Widespread adoption of LOGINK, a Chinese platform for sharing logistics information could create economic and strategic risks for the United States and other countries. Now cooperating with over 20 global ports, the National Transportation and Logistics Public Information Platform, branded as LOGINK, provides users with a one stop shop for logistics data management, shipment tracking, and information exchange needs between enterprises as well as from business to government. State control of the LOGINK platform potentially provides the Chinese Communist Party access to data collected and stored on the platform and could enable the Chinese government to gain insights into shipping information, cargo valuations via customs clearance forms, and destination and routing information.

Speaker: Gabriel Collins, Baker Botts Fellow, Baker Institute, Rice University

1:30 pm

AUTONOMOUS PERIMETER MONITORING FOR SUBSURFACE THREATS

Synopsis: The proliferation of unmanned systems poses a threat to ports and littoral areas and requires quick, effective and flexible defensive systems for secure facilities. These systems detect, track, classify, deter, and defeat undersea targets like unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs) in near-shore and port environments. ThayerMahan has prototyped an automated system of networked, collaborative, buoy- or dock-based sensors that can detect, track, and identify potential intruders for perimeters in ports and their approaches. This system can provide protection from both surface and subsurface threats and features the ability to integrate subsurface protection.

Speaker: Kevin Lopes, Thayer Mahan

2:30 pm

BREAK

3:00 pm

BEYOND BORDERS: FOSTERING A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH TO PORT AND SUPPLY CHAIN SECURITY

Synopsis: A panel discussion of port and supply chain security by government, port, and private sector representatives. The panel will address supply chain security in the maritime sector, challenges faced, current programs, and future initiatives.

Moderator: Michael Arnett, Protective Security Advisor, Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency
Panelist: Raymond Monzon, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Panelist: Brian Ulmer, Chief, International Port Security Operations, U.S. Coast Guard
Panelist: Lisabeth Laurie, Secretariat for Multidimensional Security (SMS), Organization of American States
Panelist: Karen Harvey, Principal, Deloitte

4:00 pm

NAVIGATING A CHANGING THREAT ENVIRONMENT: BUILDING RESILIENCE THROUGH EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS: A CASE STUDY”

Synopsis: Ports sit at the heart of a dynamic risk landscape where both physical and cyber threats are quickly evolving. How can they better understand and mitigate the varied risks they face? How can they adapt in a limited resource environment? This session will take a holistic look at the current state of port security; how assessments and evaluative methodologies can help ports identify and mitigate risk; and how they can best prepare for, respond to, and recover from a crisis event. Hear from one of the largest ports in the country on how they approach risk management and their lessons learned.

Speaker: Jeff McLeod, Lead for Cyber Emergency Management & Critical Infrastructure Resilience, Deloitte
Speaker: Brian Cox, Chief Operations Officer, Port of South Louisiana
Speaker: Lester Millet III, Safety Risk Agency Manager, Port of South Louisiana
Speaker: Greg Villano, Critical Infrastructure Protection – OT Cyber, Deloitte

5:00 pm

Closing

Kevin Clement

8:30 am

PANEL: MORE THAN THE PORT…

Synopsis: The economic success and physical well-being of any port and its support from the surrounding community does not rest on the efforts of the port alone. In this case study, Port Houston’s efforts and benefits are enhanced by regional partnerships and alliances.

Moderator: CAPT Eric Carrero (USCG, Ret), President, Greater Houston Port Bureau
Panelist: Chad Carson, Vice President, Economic Development, Economic Alliance Houston Port Region
Panelist: Craig Rhodes, Vice President, Regional Economic Development, Greater Houston Partnership
Panelist: Rohit Saxena, Director, Facility Planning, Port of Houston

9:30 am

Break

10:00 am

Panel: PORTS ALLIES AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Synopsis: A panel discussion on the role that ports have in countering human trafficking, including strategies ports can use to interrupt and ultimately prevent human trafficking in the maritime sector, and discussion of Port of Seattle’s Port Allies Against Human Trafficking (PAAHT) pledge, which calls on port partners to join Port of Seattle in their commitment to stop human trafficking.

Moderator: CDR Mike Cortese, U.S. Coast Guard
Panelist: Kirsten Foot, PhD, CEO and Executive Director, BEST
Panelist: Sam Cho, Commissioner, Port of Seattle
Panelist: Delmas Whitaker, Director, Marine Maritime Maintenance, Port of Seattle

11:00 am

Panel: COMMUNICATIONS IN THE GREATER PORT COMMUNITY

Synopsis: A discussion of best practices and challenges in port communications to government, corporate community, and private entities within and external to the Port Eco-system.

Moderator: Andrea LaVorgna, Marketing Manager/Editor Port Bureau News Magazine, Greater Houston Port Bureau
Panelist: Suzy Trutie, Public Affairs and Communications Director, Port of Miami
Panelist: Christine Abbruscato, Marketing Director, Port Houston
Panelist: Carla Quanjard, Regional Coordinator, International Relations and Networks, Port of Antwerp-Brugess

8:00 am

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY MICROGRID R&D PROGRAM’S PORT ELECTRIFICATION HANDBOOK

Synopsis: Port electrification can take many forms, such as converting drayage vehicle fleets to electric or cold-ironing of ships while berthed. To help evaluate the growing challenge of increased electrification and its impacts on the system, the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Electricity’s Microgrids R&D program is creating a Port Electrification Handbook. The goal of the handbook is to develop a step-by-step guide and reference to aid ports in electrification. This should help port operators and planners evaluate different electrification technologies, including how things like energy storage or distributed renewables may aid or impact that deployment. This talk will outline the current contents and approach of the handbook, which is expected to be readily available by April 30, 2024.

Speaker: Frank Tuffner, Power Systems Research Engineer, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

8:30 am

PANEL: AUTONOMY AND PORT SECURITY

Synopsis: There is a growing interest in autonomous surface and sub-surface vessels serving as platforms supporting elements of port security. The importance of domain awareness – really understanding who is operating in ports around the world is critical for the international maritime transportation system to flourish. Numerous commercial entities have conducted demonstrations around the world with cutting edge technology to highlight a range of capabilities. This panel will look at three questions:

1. How could autonomous capabilities be used to augment port security requirements?
2. What are challenges for such use including cyber security and data management/storage?
3. Finally, what is industry doing to respond to these challenges.

Panelist: Joseph DiRenzo, PhD, Director, Research Partnerships, U.S. Coast Guard Research and Development Center
Panelist: Kenneth Christopher, DPA, National University, San Diego, CA
Panelist: Steve Recca, Director, University and Agency Partnership Program, Naval Postgraduate School
Panelist: CAPT Keith Donohue, Commanding Officer, Vice Commander of USCG Sector Houston-Galveston
Panelist: CDR Justin Davis (USN, Ret), SARONIC

9:30 am

Break

10:00 am

PANEL: TECHNOLOGIES TO ENHANCE FUEL COMBUSTION EFFICIENCIES

Synopsis: Incomplete combustion of carbon fuels significantly contributes to carbon emissions. Efficiencies to increase combustion can reduce fuel consumption and resulting transportation/ shipping costs, reduce carbon emissions by up to 80 percent, increase air quality in the port environment, and ultimately increase asset integrity.

Moderator: CDR Corrina Ott, U.S. Coast Guard
Panelist: Earl Hersch, Founder, No More Carbon USA
Panelist: Elliott E. Vera, Americas Technology Project Manager, Shell Shipping and Maritime
Panelist: Suhaib Kaissi, University of Houston

12:30 pm

U.S. COAST GUARD RESEARCH PORTFOLIO

Synopsis: The Director of Research Partnerships at the U.S. Coast Guard Research and Development Center (RDC), discusses USCG research focus and initiatives impacting ports and maritime sector. This session is open admission to researchers from U.S. colleges and universities.

Presenter: Joseph DiRenzo, PhD, Director, Research Partnerships, U.S. Coast
Guard Research and Development Center

1:15 pm

CONFERENCE CLOSING

Kevin Clement