Conference Schedule
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The Digital Transition to Electronic Bills of Lading
"Adopting electronic bills of lading (eBLs) can transform trade by streamlining processes, improving security, reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainable trade practices. Estimates show that replacing all paper-based bills of lading would save an estimated $6.5 billion in direct transaction costs with the capacity to facilitate up to $40 billion in global trade. The container industry currently operates at 5 percent eBLs and has committed to operating at 100 percent by 2030. This will be a massive transformation in just a 5-year period. This transformation will also require standardization of maritime terms, and IMO initiative, to create a common global maritime language. This panel discusses how businesses and ports can best prepare for the digital transition from paper-based to eBLs. "
MARITIME PROSPERITY ZONES
Presidential Executive Order 14629 aims to revitalize the U.S. maritime industry by establishing maritime prosperity zones, enhancing national security, and promoting economic growth. The order proposed the creation of maritime prosperity zones modeled after the opportunity zones established by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. These zones will be geographically diverse, extending beyond traditional coastal shipbuilding areas to include river regions and the Great Lakes. The establishment of maritime prosperity zones is expected to enhance economic activity in the maritime sector, create jobs, and strengthen national security by ensuring a robust domestic shipbuilding capability. The initiative reflects a broader strategy to revitalize American manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign entities for critical maritime services and products. Moderator: Panelist: Jim Connaughton, TBD (jim@jamesconnaughton.com) Panelist: Al Puchala, CapZone Impact Investment Group (al.puchala@capzonegroup.com) Panelist: Dr. Beatriz Canamary, Co=Founder, American Maritime Industrial Coalition Panelist: TBD, CEO, Port of Mobile
KEYNOTE ADDRESS: U.S. MARITIME ADMINISTRATION
Speaker: Stephen Carmel, Administrator, U.S. Maritime Administration
THE PORT REFORM TOOL KIT
The World Bank published the third edition of the Port Reform Toolkit – highlighting, among others the transformation of ports in recent years and the emerging issues to address. The Port Reform Toolkit is a comprehensive guide for implementing port reforms, published by the World Bank. It has evolved over two decades to address changing sectoral trends and is now in its third edition. The toolkit covers traditional private sector participation and explores new trends that will influence ports in the coming decades. It provides policymakers and industry professionals with tools to manage port reform and improvement processes effectively, balancing efficiency and equity, promoting sustainable development, and sharing risk effectively. The toolkit is available online and can adapt alongside the industry to provide a structured basis for reform in an increasingly complex operating environment. Speaker: Jan Hoffman, Maritime Transportation and Ports, The World Bank
BLUE SKY MARITIME COALITION LUNCHEON
(By Invitation – Identify Room)
FUTURE PORT TO AIR INTERFACE: HEAVY COMMERCIAL DRONES
Heavy-duty commercial drones are specialized unmanned aerial vehicles designed to carry substantial payloads, ranging from 10 pounds to over 500 pounds, making them essential for various industries such as logistics, construction, and agriculture. Future heavy-duty commercial drones may rival truck and rail in inter-modal connectivity from ports. The Griff 800 is capable of carrying a max payload of 1,763 pounds. JD.com (China) is constructing a super-sized delivery drone capable of carrying a payload of over 1 ton up to 186 miles. Speaker: TBD, Autonomy Research Institute Speaker: TBD, Griff Speaker: Scott Blough, Amazon
PORTS AND REGIONAL DRONE ZONES
The concept of a "drone zone" isn't a no-fly area, but a network of integrated infrastructure that propels a community forward. Imagine a region where the sky is not just for birds and airplanes, but a seamlessly managed, automated highway for a new kind of service. This is the narrative of value that drone zones—strategically placed networks of drone docks—bring to a region. This panel discussion focuses on the process and challenges to creation of a drone zone in SouthEast Texas, home to U.S. strategic ports of Beaumont and Port Arthur in addition to the Port of Orange and Sabine Neches Navigation District. Moderator: TBD, Autonomy Research Institute Panelist: TBD, Sabine Port Panelist: TBD, Amazon Panelist: TBD, Port of Beaumont Panelist: TBD, Port of Orange
SUSTAINABLE FUEL CHICKEN AND EGG REDUX:THE PORT DRIVEN SOLUTION
Should ports agree on an optimal sustainable fuel for ships? As carriers and alternate fuel providers continue in their arguments as to which sustainable fuels are best, the result has been a mess. If major ports were to “agree on a sustainable fuel…we can gain great efficiencies and save untold billions.” “Even if one fuel is somewhat less efficient or somewhat more expensive, once considered on an overall system level, it almost undoubtedly will be more efficient if it is the single sustainable fuel. “…Let the Ports provide a clear course on sustainable fuels.” Speaker: Rik F. Van Hemmen, Title and Corporation
ELOGRIDS
Elomatic developed and designed Elogrids to provide operators with optimal vessel performance. Elogrid is a transverse thruster grid technology that reduces fuel consumption and improves thruster performance. It also improves water flow along vessel hull lines. Whereas owners and operators are having to face increasing operational costs and, at the same time, comply with ever more stringent environmental regulations. By saving fuel and increasing efficiency, both of which reduce emissions, the Elogrid solution can help address these challenges. Elomatic’s Elogrid and Wärtsilä’s thrusters are combined to provide a unified product that combines both companies’ expertise. This innovative technology solution supports decarbonisation efforts of the global vessel fleet. Speaker: Jukka TBD, Title, Elomatic Speaker: TBD, Title and Wartsila
PORT CYBERSECURITY INSURANCE
Cyber insurance is a crucial lifeline in safeguarding ports and terminals against the financial fallout of cyber incidents. This specialized coverage assists in mitigating financial losses incurred due to cyberattacks, data breaches, and other digital perils. While every cyber policy is unique, typical coverage types include business interruption losses, computer forensics, data recovery and restoration, damaged or compromised systems repair or replacement, legal fees related to regulatory issues or third-party lawsuits, crisis communication and public relations fees, customer notification, call center setup and operation, credit monitoring services, ransom payment (if legally allowed), lost funds, customer credits and refunds, and reputational damage. BD Speaker: TBD, Armada Global
WHEN SHIPS SAIL THEMSELVES: ARE HUMAN PILOTS THE LAST LINE OF CYBER DEFENSE?
Autonomous navigation trials and AI-assisted bridge systems are advancing faster than regulatory frameworks can adapt. Most discussions focus on sensors, rules of the road, and liability, but often overlook a critical angle: in heavily trafficked, high-risk ports, the pilot may be the only independent “human firewall” between algorithmic error and catastrophe. Drawing on real pilotage scenarios, cyber-risk case studies, and human–machine interface research, this session reframes pilots not as legacy costs, but as high-value safety and cybersecurity assets. It will explore how pilotage organisations, port authorities, and terminal operators can formally embed pilots into cyber-resilience plans, incident playbooks, and AI governance structures. The talk concludes with a challenge: ports that automate without elevating the pilot’s oversight role may actually increase systemic risk rather than reduce it. Speaker: CAPT Gajanan Karanjikar, Title and Corporation