2:00 pm

PORTS GRANTS WORKSHOP

April Danos and representatives from MARAD, FEMA, USCG, and EPA

6:00 pm

NO-HOST SOCIAL – INNOVATE UK

The Port of the Future Conference welcomes a 14-member delegation from the United Kingdom, coordinated by Innovate UK.

8:30 am

WELCOME – PORT HOUSTON

Rich Byrnes
Chief Infrastructure Officer
Port Houston

8:50 am

CREATING THE U.S. CENTER FOR MARITIME INNOVATION

Synopsis: The U.S. Maritime Administration’s Maritime Environmental and Technical Assistance (META) Program is establishing the US Center for Maritime Innovation as authorized by Congress. This Center is a new national research, development, and demonstration projects supporting maritime innovation in a range of potential subject areas. The scope of interest includes all types of vessels, port/port facility, and other marine transportation issues and covers the diverse issues of interest in different geographical regions of the country. This session will provide (1) an introduction and update briefing on the US Center for Maritime Innovation, including preliminary strategic research priorities and (2) an explanation on ways that attendees can engage with the Center going forward. Additionally, those attending this session will have an opportunity to provide their input on ideas and priorities for the Center through a live polling tool around priority research topics for the Center.

David Walker
Vice President Global Government Service at the American Bureau of Shipping;
Director of the Secretariat for the US Center for Maritime Innovation

9:50 am

2024 AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN PORT COMMUNICATIONS – PUERTO LA PLATA, ARGENTINA

Greg Trautwein
President
New Wave Media

10:00 am

Networking Break

10:30 am

VISION OF THE FUTURE – PORT OF SEATTLE

Stephen Metruck
Executive Director
Port of Seattle

11:00 am

PORT SEATTLE RANSOMWARE ATTACK

Stephanie Warren
Assistant Director, Cybersecurity
Port of Seattle

11:15 am

PORT CYBERSECURITY ON A BUDGET

Brian Brammeier
CEO and Chief Information Security Officer
OPSCURA

12:00 pm

Lunch Break

12:10 pm

BLUE SKY MARITIME COALITION LUNCHEON

(By Invitation – Location: Palacio del Rio)

1:00 pm

THE CORN BELT PORTS

Synopsis: The newly-formed Corn Belt Ports are four distinct regional units of government (or, official government collaborations) that are county-based, modern, sustainable, long, linear, rural, multi-modal transportation features compatible with existing regional planning agency boundaries. The Corn Belt Ports are the Illinois Waterway Ports Commission; Mid-America Port Commission; Upper Mississippi River Ports (IL & IA) and the Northern Grain Belt Ports.

Speaker: Robert Sinkler, Executive Director, Corn Belt Ports

1:30 pm

CHANCAY MULTI-PURPOSE PORT, PERU

Synopsis: The Chancay Multipurpose Port is located 60 kilometers (37 miles) north of the Peruvian capital of Lima. The port will play a crucial role in enhancing regional connectivity and economic exchange It is designed to facilitate the movement of goods, including containerized cargo, general cargo, non-mineral bulk cargo, liquid cargo, and roll-on/roll-off cargo. With its natural deep-water harbor, Chancay will be able to handle container ships that cannot dock elsewhere in South America. Advertised as “the gateway from South America to Asia,” the $1.3 billion project will offer a direct route to China with a travel time reduction for ships of 10 days.

Speaker: Juan Carlos Paz, President of the National Port Authority, Peru

2:30 pm

Break

3:00 pm

THE TEXAS PORT MISSION PLAN

Synopsis: The Texas Port Mission Plan is a comprehensive plan outlining $9.16 billion in funding needs of Texas seaports, encompassing 125 essential projects. These projects focus on connectivity, infrastructure, and waterway improvements, which are critical for the continued growth and efficiency of our ports. The Port Mission Plan identifies $3.11 billion for port infrastructure needs, $585 million to improve port connectivity and $5.46 billion to widen or deepen ship channels to accommodate larger vessels.

Speaker: Geir-Eilif Kalhagen, Director, Maritime Division, Texas Department of Transportation

4:00 pm

SUSTAINABLE PATHWAYS TO DECARBONIZATION IN LATIN AMERICA’S PORT SECTOR

Synopsis: This presentation is an analysis of competencies, management challenges, and ideas for the adoption of good sustainable practices in the port environment in Colombia. The speaker analyzes the competencies currently exercised by the relevant authorities at the local level and aims to identify those competencies related to sustainability and environmental considerations. The presentation addresses whether the current framework is sufficient and whether there are incentives for adopting sustainable practices in the port sector. The session culminates with ideas and initiatives that could be implemented to encourage more sustainable behaviors in port activities.

Speaker: Javier Franco, Research Professor in Commercial Law at Universidad Externado de Colombia

5:00 pm

Closing

Speaker: Kevin Clement

1:00 pm

BUILDING PRACTICAL RESILIENCE IN PORTS AND HARBOURS

Synopsis: Situated in current and future hazard areas, maritime infrastructure is exposed to increasing climate-related risks. Owners and operators (across ports, harbours, marinas and shipyards) of this sector are exposed to a unique set of challenges and impacts due to their proximity to the coast and waterways. As the current and potential future impacts from climate become better understood, many maritime sector organizations are starting to take their first steps toward resilience and adaptation planning. The discussion addresses this shortcoming and offers strategies to address it.

Speaker: Jaret Fattori, Director, Climate & Environment, BMT

1:30 pm

THE CLEVELAND HARBOR EASTERN EMBAYMENT RESILIENCE STRATEGY (CHEERS)

Synopsis: The Cleveland Harbor Eastern Embayment Resilience Strategy (CHEERS) project is a concept that emerged from a yearlong study to determine how to transform Cleveland’s lakeshore through reconnecting communities to the lake, improving public health, bolstering the economy, and benefiting the environment and natural habitat. It is now in a design phase with the help of a consultant team to move the original study towards implementation. Stakeholders and the support received from the community are crucial to the success of CHEERS.

CHEERS illustrates the importance of investing in coastal resilience measures in an urban area to provide the greatest impact for human community resilience. The project will demonstrate beneficial use of dredge material to build habitat and expand parks, protect the critical infrastructure of Interstate 90 along the shore, ameliorate previous industrial uses and unjust development practices, and stabilize the unpredictable wave action adjacent to key recreation and transportation facilities.

Speaker: Linda Sternheimer, Vice President, Urban Planning and Engagement, Port of Cleveland
Speaker: Kara Slocum, Senior Civil & Resilience Engineer, Arup

2:30 pm

Break

3:00 pm

PORT OF TAMPA BAY – PORT DISASTER INSURANCE AND UNDERWRITING

Synopsis: In the autumn of 2024, the Port of Tampa Bay weathered two disastrous storms, Hurricanes Helene and Milton, within the span of 13 days. While the port was able to quickly reestablish operations, the impact on port insurance and financing is pronounced. Insurance policies’ coverage is reducing while premiums are increasing.

Extreme weather costs spiraling. Hurricanes, flooding and storm damage are becoming more common, exposing ports’ people, assets and operations to damage, disruption and third-party claims. Insured losses from natural catastrophes continue to be above the 10-year average of $81 billion, at $115 billion. Ports and terminals as a result, are at greater risk of being thrown into a lottery of being overcharged and underinsured.

Annually, as much as $63 billion of trade is at risk due to climate change. Hence, ports across the world require rigorous preparedness planning, infrastructure upgrades and watertight insurance policies.

Moderator: Mark Condon, Senior Account Executive, Kale Info Solutions
Speaker: Jorge Torres, Senior Director of Security and Safety Compliance, Port of Tampa Bay
Speaker: Tricia Lucas, Vice President, Armada Risk Partners

4:00 pm

ENHANCING THE RESILIENCE OF PIER, QUAY, AND BREAKWATER INFRASTRUCTURE

Synopsis: Recent advances in techniques and materials to harden port infrastructure can enhance a port’s resilience and ability to withstand such natural hazards as earthquakes and anthropogenic risks. Existing infrastructure and superstructure can be hardened with design features capable of withstanding physical damage from extreme weather events; earthquakes, and accidents, ease of maintenance, and decrease in insurance costs.

This panel discusses new materials, technology applications, and infrastructure construction techniques, to build terminal facilities with stable, reinforced foundations made less vulnerable to erosion and landslides; construction of quay walls that can handle additional tidal, seismic stresses and small collisions; fashion breakwaters able to protect the port from current and tidal effects; and design apron, mooring equipment and fenders so as to ensure that the dock can moor and secure ships under the most stressful conditions.

Moderator: Hady Salloum, Ph.D., Director of Research, BTI Institute
Speaker: Dr. Hamid Saadatmanesh, CEO, CarboShield
Speaker: Dr. Mo Ehsani, President, QuakeWrap

5:00 pm

Closing

Speaker: Kevin Clement

1:00 pm

INTERMODAL CONNECTIVITY – THE TEXAS-MEXICO BORDER TRANSPORTATION PLAN

Synopsis: The Texas-Mexico Border Transportation Master Plan (BTMP) is a comprehensive, multimodal, Texas-Mexico long-range plan. It identifies current and future transportation needs, challenges, and opportunities for moving people and goods across the Texas-Mexico border. The Port of Laredo is the number 1 inland port along the US-Mexico border and the nation’s third-busiest port among more than 450 airports, seaports, and border crossings with $299.4 billion in total trade with the world in 2022. This session will explore the role of the intermodal sector in US – Mexico trade.

Speaker: Margaret Kidd, Program Director, Supply Chain and Logistics Technology, Cullen College of Engineering, University of Houston

1:30 pm

THE MARITIME TRANSPORTATION DATA INITIATIVE

Synopsis: Commissioner Carl W. Bentzel of the Federal Maritime Commission has called for the establishment of a Maritime Transportation Data System, a set of “performance standards so that the supply chain industry stakeholders can accomplish their work with better and more timely data than is presently available. At the core of the MTDI process are recommendations for pre-planning cargo movements, enhanced in transit visibility with real-time forecasted arrivals, harmonized exchange of transit data from carrier to terminal and better coordination among transportation modes and stakeholders to inland destinations.

• The Maritime Transportation Data System (MTDS) will establish a standard in information sharing in U.S. ports
• The MTDS would require ocean carriers to be more transparent in advising supply chain partners of their services, especially regarding the arrival times of their ships in U.S. ports.
• The MTDS also would require standardization of terminology by ocean carriers so that shippers and other supply chain partners can better understand the movement of their cargo.

Speaker: Carl W. Bentzel, Past Commissioner, Federal Maritime Commission; President, National Association of Waterfront Employers (NAWE)

2:30 pm

Break

3:00 pm

INTELLIGENT INFRASTRUCTURE ECONOMIC ZONES

Synopsis: IIntelligent Infrastructure Economic Zones are a new business model and investment foundation enhancing intermodal connectivity between ports and cargo destinations. The Intelligent Infrastructure Economic Zone is the 21st Centtury Data Economy, featuring Resilient Electrical Grids (Edge sensors, switches, digital transformers, inverters); Broadband for all (Fiber, 5G, 6G, 7G, WiFi, Public Safety); Intelligent Transportation (Lidars, Radars, cameras, DSRC); Data Exchanges (Processing, Security, Privacy); Edge Computing (Sensor processing, Spatial Computing, environmental sensors, RF Monitoring); Terrestrial GPS (UltraWideband, DGNSS, DT); and more.

Speaker: Jeff DeCoux, President, The Autonomy Institute

4:00 pm

THE FUTURE OF DRAYAGE

Synopsis: In recent years, the Environmental Protection Agency’s “Clean Ports” initiative has provided grants to fund battery electric container handlers, electric reachstackers, heavy electric forklifts, and electric-powered vehicles. However, recent advances in green hydrogen-powered engines may be a game changer. The panel presentation focuses on the advantages and disadvantages of electric-powered and hydrogen-powered engines with an eye to optimum investment in zero-emission drayage. This panel discussion will touch on the comparative efficiencies of battery powered electric vehicles (EV) and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), sourcing, refueling/recharging and accessibility, required support infrastructure, and ultimately production and disposal.

Moderator: Matt Fuhrman, CEO, Core Group Resources
Panelist: David Gully, Regional Sales Manager, Taylor Machine Works, Inc.
Panelist: Steven Lua, CEO, Unitrove Innovation Ltd.
Panelist: Niki Okuk, Deputy Director of Trucks and Off-Road, CALSTART

5:00 pm

Closing

Speaker: Kevin Clement

12:15 pm

UK MARITIME AND PORT INNOVATION

Location: Waldorf Astoria Ballroom

Synopsis: The UK has a vibrant and well-supported maritime innovation ecosystem. Innovate UK and the UK Department for Transport have been delivering over £200m in business-led research funding over the past 3 years. This presentation will give an overview of the maritime innovation projects and support mechanisms funded by the UK Government. These projects focus on port, vessel and digital technology R&D.

Innovate UK and the UK Department for Transport have also supported several UK maritime innovators to attend the Port of the Future conference. This presentation will introduce these businesses, all of whom are interested in collaborating on research with the U.S. port ecosystem.

Speaker: James Lovett
CEng – Innovation Lead – Future Maritime Technologies
Innovate UK

5:00 pm

CONFERENCE CLOSING

Speaker: Kevin Clement

8:00 am

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN PORT DIGITAL INCIDENT RECONSTRUCTION: A NEW DIMENSION FOR LESSONS LEARNED AND TRAINING

Synopsis: A state-of-art port incident and forensics simulation platform is described, developed through extensive collaboration with the US NTSB and many other statutory marine accident investigation agencies around the world.

The digital forensics platform links an advanced ship and port hydrodynamic navigation simulator with multiple interfaces, including VDR, AIS and PPU data feeds, and automatically generates 3D multiple viewing angle visual reconstructions. This allows the user to replay incidents and “pause and take control” at any stage leafing up to an incident by introducing a facility to switch seamlessly from a passive 3D reconstruction/replay mode to a full interactive simulation mode, thereby allowing any number of alternative scenarios to be played out. This provides a new dimension to Lessons-Learned based training in ports and other restricted waterways, Several reconstructions of incidents in ports will be provided, to illustrate its utility.

Speaker: Phil Thompson, PhD, Head of Commercial Product Development, BMT Global

8:30 am

TRANSFORMING PORTS INTO DIGITAL HUBS

Synopsis: Our maritime sector is rapidly undergoing a digital transformation of ports as they shift from traditional transport hubs to digital nodes that play a crucial role in an ever-evolving supply chain ecosystem. Digitalization allows a seaport to become a transport and an information node, providing an important means to be better integrated in the supply chain. The port as a digital node focuses on the total digital capability required to operate as a sustainable port, i.e. as a sustainable transport and logistic node, energy node, and information node).

Moderator: Jason Gasparik, Business Development, Moffatt & Nichol
Speaker: Brooks Lobingier, Director of Information Technology, Port of Corpus Christi
Speaker: John Piletich, Telecom and Technology Specialist, Deloitte Consulting LLP
Speaker: Juan Ignacio Rodriguez, Head of Modernization Division, Puerto Quequén, Argentina
Speaker: Donovan Guin, Public Transportation Lead, IBM

9:30 am

Break

10:00 am

INTEGRATING ENERGY AND SUPPLY CHAIN MODELING THROUGH DYNAMIC SIMULATION

Synopsis: Ports and supply chains around the world are experiencing a decarbonization revolution. To the lay person, the transition from carbon-based liquid fuels in marine terminal and broader logistics contexts to zero-emission alternatives seems simple: replace diesel-powered cargo handling equipment with zero-emission cargo handling equipment on a 1:1 basis. A truck for a truck, so to speak. The reality of the decarbonization revolution is far more complicated, however. Challenges associated with this transition from carbon-based fuels to zero-emission alternatives range from technical to commercial with huge implications, not only from an operations perspective, but from a whole-of supply-chain perspective. Perhaps the most critical aspect of the supply chain impacted by the decarbonization revolution is the energy sector itself. Understanding not only how much energy is required to sustain operations, but what type of energy, is a relatively new problem. In the past, energy supply and demand in the broader transport sector were measured almost exclusively in barrels. Increasingly, the key units of measurement will be electrons and molecules. This fundamental shift in thinking around energy begs for a new way of understanding ports from a supply and demand perspective. This presentation will explore the value of modeling and dynamic simulation at ports and across their broader supply chains as a means not only to optimize marine terminal and related operations, but as a tool to plan more intelligently and holistically for the decarbonization revolution.

Speaker: Tristan Anderson, Executive Advisor, Freight Systems and Simulation (TA), GHD
Speaker: Michael Vanderbeek, Maritime and Coastal Planning Lead, (MV), GHD

11:00 am

HOW PORT CALL VISIBILITY SUPPORTS PORT CALL PERFORMANCE

Synopsis: We often discuss inefficiencies and waste in port calls, but what does it look like? How is port call performance actually perceived? Teqplay will present real examples of a vessel’s arrival and departure process into different ports like Rotterdam, Algeciras and New York, providing visibility on:

• Waiting during anchoring because the terminal is occupied;
• Waiting again because the gangs aren’t available; and
• Unable to depart because the bunker set is still alongside.

Teqplay will share how ports utilize data to improve port call performance and be a competitive and future ready port.

Speaker: Léon Gommans, CEO, Teqplay
Speaker: Daan Spikker, Head of Product, Teqplay

12:00 pm

Lunch

1:00 pm

PORT USE OF UNCREWED & AUTONOMOUS VESSELS

Synopsis: Ports face growing challenges from security threats, more frequent natural disasters, and increased and heavier displacement shipping traffic. Uncrewed Surface Vehicles (USV’s) provide ports with additional tools to face these challenges safely and efficiently without putting the operators of the USV in harm’s way. USV’s can help with routine surveys of waterways for navigability and dredging. They can also provide a round-the-clock security detail for extra eyes above and below the surface of the water, filling in blind spots. In the event of a natural disaster, a USV can be used to quickly survey a port for obstructions and scour to help reopen commerce. This presentation will dive into the broad applications of USVs in ports to augment and multiply the port’s workforce with leading technologies. It will highlight how USV technology increases safety and accessibility for port workers, enabling “work from home” for maritime professionals. It will also discuss how Chance Maritime Technologies tailors USV technology solutions for individual port needs.

Speaker: Michael Scherer, Chief Technology Officer, Chance Maritime

1:30 pm

THE USE OF AI AND VIDEOGAMES TO IMPROVE PORT CAPACITY & SAFETY

Synopsis: This presentation highlights the use of Active Digital Twins, built using video game technology, to improve port safety and capacity. The presentation explains how port operations are improved by providing tools with intuitive interface elements that incorporate real-time data and look like the real world. Through this concept, port operators are able to increase vessel traffic capacity and cargo throughput without compromising safety by using AI and Machine Learning to predict and prevent potential vessel-to-vessel and vessel-to-facility intersections using course and heading data from AIS transponders.

Speaker: Starr Long, Executive Producer, The Acceleration Agency
Speaker: Darrell Keach, Business Systems Manager, Port of Corpus Christi

2:30 pm

Break

3:00 pm

PANEL: DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES IN MARITIME SYSTEMS

Synopsis: A successful vision of the future must involve the economic and environment stewardship of the maritime value chain as a system of systems. A successful systems approach for maritime could be similar to aviation’s air traffic control to improve safety and economic efficiencies of the system as a whole. This means changing the very nature of global maritime business approach to optimize first the entire global system before further optimizing individual organizations.

Digital Technologies will be key to this. Not necessarily by inventing new technology but innovating from existing approaches in other segments such as the aviation approach to vessel autonomy and machine learning predictive algorithms that will be required to solve the much more complex systems approach of the global maritime value chain. This digital innovation approach can be developed rather quickly and inexpensively, and Digital Technology is perhaps the only technology that is truly future proof.

Moderator: David Cumins, President, Blue Sky Maritime Coalition
Panelist: Charlotte (Runzel) Lemos, Management Consultant, Energy, Sustainability, & Infrastructure, Guidehouse
Panelist: Robert Kessler, Product Manager at MIS Marine
Panelist: Mathieu Charbonneau, Vice President, General Manager Transport Division, AIRUDI

4:00 pm

ROBOTICS IN MARITIME APPLICATIONS

Synopsis: Robotics are revolutionizing the maritime industry by enhancing safety, efficiency, and operational capabilities. Applications include Vessel Inspections; Hull Cleaning and Maintenance; Underwater Survey and Exploration; Autonomous Vessels; and in Training and Simulations. Robotics can perform inspections of ships, piers, pipelines, and underwater port infrastructure, to ensure safety and compliance with regulations. Robots can be autonomous or human-controlled and can work in conjunction with automation systems.

The panel discussion focuses on the marine application of robotics in maritime applications, current challenges, and forecasted advances and anticipated improvements.

Moderator: Jason Gasparik, Business Development, Moffatt & Nichol
Speaker: Geoff Douglass, CEO and Co-Founder, Mythos AI
Speaker: Kirstin Collins, Operations Support Team Lead, Greensea IQ
Panelist: Karl Lander, Director of Environmental Services, Subsea Solutions LLC

4:30 pm

Buses depart for Port Houston Tour

8:00 am

ENERGY ISLANDS CONCEPTS

Synopsis: Denmark is pioneering the concept of energy islands as part of large-scale offshore wind farm projects. Denmark will construct the North Sea Energy Island and build upon Bornholm (an existing island) to establish a energy island in the Baltic Sea. Both will serve as hubs for offshore wind farms, facilitating smart electricity distribution between regions across the two seas. These energy islands are designed to operate as green power plants at sea and will play a major role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, phasing out fossil fuel energy sources in Denmark, and creating a sustainable energy future.

Speaker: Jan Behrendt Ibsø, Group Senior Vice President, Renewables and PtX, COWI
Speaker: Torben Glar Nielsen, CEO, Torben Glar Nielsen Consultancy Aps

8:30 am

TRANSITIONING TO A WIND PORT

Synopsis: Port representatives from ports engaged in support of offshore wind farms discuss the planning, challenges, and achievements in transitioning from traditional cargo ports.

Moderator: Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Ph.D., Professor, Texas A&M University at Galveston
Panelist: Katheryn Yurchesyn, Vice President, NovaPorte
Panelist: Stephen Kelly, President of Sales and Development, Port of Coeymans
Panelist: John O’Keeffe, Vice President, Business Development, Waterson LLC, Port of Providence

9:30 am

Break

10:00 am

THE PORT OF LONG BEACH’S PIER WIND PROJECT

Synopsis: The Port of Long Beach has announced a bold plan to establish a 400-acre wind port called Pier Wind that could centralize the manufacture and staging of floating offshore wind turbines on the West Coast and provide a major infrastructural boost to California’s planned goal of building floating wind farms so as to generate 25 Gigawatts by 2045. The Port projects the following benefits to California’s offshore wind efforts:

• Harness the powerful wind in deep waters in order to generate renewable energy at a lower cost while enhancing air quality by reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
• Meet California’s goal of producing 25 gigawatts of offshore wind power by 2045.
• Contribute toward lowering the national cost of offshore wind power by 70% by 2035.
• Place California and the United States at the forefront of floating offshore wind technology and development, the project would create jobs and economic opportunities for communities near the San Pedro Bay port complex.

Speaker: Suzanne Plezia, Chief Harbor Engineer, Port of Long Beach

10:45 am

NORFOLK WIND PORT – THE FAIRWINDS LANDING PROJECT

Synopsis: MARAD awarded the Norfolk (VA) Economic Development Authority a $39,265,000 Port Infrastructure Development Grant to help transform the marine terminal at Fairwinds Landing into an offshore wind logistics facility. The PPIDP funding will assist in renovating the aging waterfront infrastructure at Fairwinds Landing. The project focuses on three major components: 1) Enhance port capabilities for offshore wind operations and maintenance activities; 2) Heavy lift Operations, and 3) Cable Loading Operations.

Speaker: Mike Hopkins, Managing Director, Fairwinds Landing LLC
Speaker: Robert Sharak, Assistant Executive Director, City of Norfolk Economic Development Authority

11:30 am

THE CASE FOR OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY

Synopsis: On January 20th, an order was issued to pause all leasing of federal waters for offshore wind and to halt new or renewed approvals for onshore or offshore wind projects on federal land. This pause will remain in effect until the completion of a comprehensive assessment and review of federal wind leases and permitting practices. Additionally, the Department of the Interior announced a 60-day suspension for Department Bureaus to issue any onshore or offshore renewable energy authorizations.

This presentation will explore the potential path forward for offshore wind energy, a significant source of renewable electricity generation in the United States.

Speaker: Kevin Pearce, Director, Business Development for Offshore Renewables – Americas, ABS

12:00 pm

Lunch

8:00 am

NEW FUELS AND TECHNOLOGIES

Synopsis: The Marine Sector is entering period of innovation. New fuels and new technologies are entering the market and have the potential to transform how our ports operate. To help enable this transition, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Office, will discuss the recently released Action Plan for Maritime Energy and Emissions Innovation. This action plan lays out a strategy for the actions, objectives, targets, and activities to scale the newly available fuels, energies, and technologies, while strengthening the maritime workforce; bolstering shipbuilding capacity; and expanding complementary landside infrastructure. Deputy Assistant Secretary Berube will also highlight the ways government is working with partners int this space and how we can build the ports of the future together.

Speaker: Dylan Lakatos, Energy Transition Team, American Bureau of Shipping

8:30 am

E-METHANOL AS A MARINE FUEL

Synopsis: With a reduction in carbon emissions of 80% or more, e-Methanol offers the shipping industry a promising option for shippers to achieve sustainability targets and comply with more stringent environmental regulations. What improvements and optimizations are required in the ‘last mile transport’ to bunker e-Methanol? How are IMO and other regulatory frameworks impacting the supply and availability of e-Methanol in ports? How can the ports and terminals, shippers, fuel logistics companies, and e-Methanol producers, like HIF Global, all work together with key regulatory agencies and policy makers?

Speaker: Meg Gentle, Executive Director, HIF Global
Speaker: Lee Beck, SVP, Global Policy and Commercial Strategy

9:30 am

Break

10:00 am

BIOFUELS

Synopsis: Biofuels are liquid hydrogen fuels with similar composition and properties to fuel oil. They are produced from renewable sources such as crops, agricultural and forestry waste, animal waste, or vegetable and animal fats. Biofuels offer reductions in Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Biofuels’ suitability with existing power generation systems makes them a drop-in solution without the need for equipment retrofits or vessel redesign. As such, Biofuels are a “here-now solution” as they take advantage of existing fuel transport and bunkering infrastructure.

Moderator: Peter Bergeron, Vice President, Public Safety & Security, Port Canaveral
Panelist: Marcel Schafer, PhD, Senior Program Coordinator, Fraunhofer USA Alliance
Panelist: Rakshay Shah, Carbon Program Manager, Marine Low Carbon Solutions, Shell
Panelist: Joel Thigpen, General Manager, New Build Sales, Wartsila

11:00 am

ELECTRIC FERRY SYSTEMS

Synopsis: Increasingly, ports and state Departments of Transportation are converting to emission free, hybrid and electric-battery ferries, replacing diesel-powered vessels with increasingly sustainable and innovative marine transportation systems. This panel discussion focuses on design challenges and recent advances in zero-emission propulsion technology for commercial passenger vessels.

Moderator: Nigel Singh, Management Consultant
Speaker: Jim Towers, Principal, Elliott Bay Design Group
Speaker: David Tyler, Co-Founder and Director, Artemis Technologies

12:00 pm

Lunch Break

1:00 pm

THE ELECTRICITY GAP

Synopsis: Transforming operations of diesel and gas-powered port equipment to electric, moving to onshore power supply for ships, and converting drayage to battery electric vehicles require significant action from electric power companies to meet increasing power demands and for ports to explore on-site power generation and efficiency options.

Moderator: Nigel Singh, Management Consultant
Speaker: Amine Lamdaouar, Senior Manager, Deloitte
Speaker: Kate Kerigan, Lead Project Manager, Shell TechWorks
Speaker: Jerold Brito, Program Associate, The Electrification Coalition

1:30 pm

CASE STUDY: PORT BAKU, AZERBAIJAN

Synopsis: The Port of Baku (PoB) was developed as a green port and logistic center by adhering to international standards and using contemporary technology in various aspects such as energy, waste management, air quality, digitalization, automation, as well as sustainable business practices.

The Port of Baku successfully achieved certification under ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management), ISO 14001:2015 (Environmental Management), EcoPorts Port Environmental Review System (PERS), as well as taken the essential steps towards achieving ISO 45001:2018 (Health & Safety Management) and ISO 50001 (Energy Management) certification. Port representatives discuss their approach centered on “The Port of Baku Climate Strategy 2025” and its Climate Action Plan.

Speaker: Gurban Karimbayli, Port of Baku

2:30 pm

Break

3:00 pm

THE CRITICAL ROLE OF PRECISION MEASUREMENT TECHNOLOGY IN SECURE FUEL TRANSFERS AND CONSUMPTION

Synopsis: As maritime fuel costs and environmental regulations continue to rise, advanced fuel management technologies are becoming critical for efficiency, compliance, and sustainability. This presentation explores the role of real-time electronic fuel monitoring systems (EFMS) in optimizing fuel consumption, ensuring regulatory adherence, and enhancing operational transparency across vessels and port facilities.

Speaker: John Donovan, Vice President of Energy and Defense Solutions, FuelTrax

4:00 pm

DRAWING ELECTRICITY FROM OCEAN CURRENTS

Synopsis: Tidal Sails AS, brings to market a ground-breaking technology to extract kinetic energy from slow moving water, by combining the ancient principles of ocean sailing with state-of-the-art alpine ropeway technology, to generate low-cost electricity.

This resilient and extremely low weight technology platform is adaptable to most locations and is protected by a set of patents worldwide. The slow-moving sails, (6 knots) 15 meter underneath the surface, are considered harmless to fish and sea mammals, and do not interfere with shipping lanes. The autonomous Self Adjustable & Variable Pitch Sail Control System assures optimal pitch according to current speed and direction.

Speaker: Shelby Thomas, CEO, Tidal Sails USA

5:00 pm

CONFERENCE CLOSING

Kevin Clement

1:00 pm

THE ROLE OF THE MTS-ISAC IN SECURITY THE MARITIME TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM

Synopsis: The Maritime Transportation System Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MTS-ISAC) is critical in strengthening the cybersecurity resilience of ports, terminals, shipping companies, and other maritime stakeholders. This session will explore how the MTS-ISAC fosters industry-wide collaboration by facilitating real-time threat intelligence sharing, proactive risk mitigation strategies, and in coordinated incident response efforts. Attendees will gain insights into the evolving cyber threat landscape, the benefits of collective defense, and how participation in the ISAC enhances security postures across the maritime sector.

Speaker: Shawn Whiteside, Senior Vice President, Commercial Practice, One Zero Solutions

1:30 pm

PORT CYBER RESILIENCE CENTERS

Synopsis: Increased use of digital technologies, while resulting in greater efficiencies and cargo planning capabilities, subject ports to cybersecurity risks and threats of disruptions to port operations and the supply chain, as a whole. Europe’s ports and maritime facilities have increasingly developed Cyber Resilience Centers to ensure the security of its IoT systems.

IBM operates the Port of Los Angeles Cyber Resilience Center, an automated port community cyber defense solution, designed by Port of Los Angeles supply chain stakeholders. The CRC serves as an early warning detector against possible cyberattacks and an information resource to help minimize intrusions and restore operations following an attack.

Speaker: Darious Moore, Delivery Program Executive, IBM Cybersecurity Services
Speaker: Tony Zhong, Director, Port of Los Angeles Cyber Resilience Center

2:30 pm

Break

3:00 pm

MODERNIZING INCIDENT COMMAND WITH ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Synopsis: This presentation focuses on methods used to incorporate AI in incident response, using actual hurricane incidents and oil spill use cases in a port environment to demonstrate the possibilities for today and tomorrow.

Speaker: Sean Griffin, CEO, Disaster Tech

3:30 pm

INFRAGARD: CYBERSECURITY FORCE MULTIPLIER

Synopsis: InfraGard is a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and members of the private sector for the protection of U.S. Critical Infrastructure. Through seamless collaboration, InfraGard connects owners and operators within critical infrastructure to the FBI, to provide education, information sharing, networking, and workshops on emerging technologies and threats. InfraGard’s membership includes business executives, entrepreneurs, lawyers, security personnel, military and government officials, IT professionals, academia and state and local law enforcement—all dedicated to contributing industry-specific insight and advancing national security.

Speaker: Marco Ayala, President, Houston-Galveston InfraGard Chapter
Speaker: Chris Wolski, Houston-Galveston InfraGard Chapter

4:00 pm

PANEL: PORTS AND THE CYBERSECURITY GAP

Synopsis: A large number of small ports lack a CISO or Information Technology specialists trained and/or qualified to respond to a cyberattack on its critical infrastructure. The panel discusses the work of the Borders, Trade, and Immigration Institute, the U.S. Coast Guard, CISA, and Ports in Texas and Louisiana to enhance cybersecurity in its operations.

Moderator: Julio Gonzalez, Former Supervisory Protective Security Advisor, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
Panelist: Kevin Clement, Executive Director, Strategic Partnerships, Borders, Trade, and Immigration Institute
Panelist: Ernesto Ballesteros, JD, Cybersecurity State Coordinator of Texas, CISA
Panelist: James O’Brien, Information Security Officer – Director, Port Houston

5:00 pm

CONFERENCE CLOSING

Kevin Clement