Marintec Innovation Conference 2024
On December 12-13, 2024, the Marintec Innovation Conference took place in Shanghai, organized by Informa Markets and SSNAME, with support from NBA China. The two-day event, spread across three focused sessions, brought together over 500 industry professionals to explore alternative energy and fuels, stakeholder collaboration, and innovative technologies driving decarbonization in the maritime sector. Networking opportunities, including lunches, coffee breaks, and a closing dinner, allowed attendees to connect and exchange insights.
Norway played a key role at the conference, with opening remark from Tobias F. Svenningsen, Norwegian Consul General in Shanghai, featured contributions from five leading Norwegian companies including DNV, Jotun, Kongsberg Maritime, Ulstein, and Wikborg Rein.
In the first session, DNV’s Head of Smart Centre / Deputy Head of Technical Centre China, Jason Liu Xiaofeng, shared strategies to navigate the maritime energy transition, balancing regulatory compliance with competitiveness and cost-effectiveness. Wikborg Rein’s Managing Associate and Shanghai Representative, Bård Bjerken, provided an insightful analysis of the upcoming FuelEU Maritime regulation, highlighting its impact on sustainable fuel adoption and offering practical compliance strategies.
During the third session Kongsberg Maritime’s Country Manager for Greater China, Carl Magne Rustand, discussed the potential of digital solutions to enhance operational efficiency, ensure regulatory compliance, and address challenges posed by uncertain fuel technologies. Ulstein’s Deputy Managing Director of Ulstein Asia, Kirk Du, introduced innovative ship designs that optimize hull performance, integrate advanced AI tools, and prepare vessels for alternative fuels, providing practical solutions to industrial decarbonization. Jotun’s Global R&D Director - Fouling Protection, Christer Lorentz Øpstad (Ph.D.), showcased the groundbreaking fouling protection technologies, which reduce emissions, preserve biodiversity, and lower operational costs by leveraging robotics and digital tools.
In addition to the Norwegian presence, the conference also featured insights from global industry leaders, including ABB Marine & Ports, Maersk, China Association of the National Shipbuilding Industry, China Merchants Energy Shipping, CSSS, International Chamber of Shipping etc. Discussions ranged from green methanol and ammonia fuels to the development of digital solutions, port facilities, and financing strategies to support the green energy transition. These presentations showcased the collective expertise and innovative approaches shaping the maritime industry’s path toward decarbonization.
The Marintec Innovation Conference emphasized the importance of international collaboration in addressing the challenges of maritime sustainability. With contributions from leading Norwegian and global companies, the event highlighted the shared efforts required to foster a cleaner, greener future for global shipping.