The World Maritime Technology Conference, WMTC 2024 has been conducted over 3 days, December 4th to 6th in the Hotel Leela Palace, Chennai, with a thought-provoking theme: "Global Shipping - A battle for survival or a torch bearer of hope."
WMTC is a global confluence of various societies across the world (USA, UK, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Spain, Portugal, India, Singapore China, S Korea and Japan) involved in the work of Marine Engineering, Naval Architecture, Science, Technology and Sustainability.
The conference has come back to India after 15 years, and has been hosted by The Institute of Marine Engineers (India) – Chennai Branch. It was earlier hosted in Copenhagen (2022), Shanghai (2018), Houston (2015), St. Petersburg (2012), Mumbai in 2009.
WMTC 2024 was supported by a host Sponsors, Exhibitors, Advertisers and donors in the maritime fraternity.
The Plenary session in the evening of December 4th was capped with an address by the Chief Guest Shri Shyam Jagannathan IAS, DG and Addl Secretary, Shipping, Govt. of India, who also released the Conference Souvenir, featuring all the papers presented at the conference. Shri Arun Sharma, Executive Chairman, Indian Register of Shipping as the Strategic Forum Leader also spoke, along with other dignitaries from Lloyd’s Register and DNV. The session was Chaired by Mr Rajeev Nayyer, the President of The Institute of Marine Engineers (India)
Prior to the Plenary Session, the conference featured two prominent panel discussions, coined “The White House" and “The Poseidon Senate."
“The White House" panel discussion was anchored by David Loosely, CEO & Secretary General of BIMCO (Baltic & International Maritime Council) and comprised a distinguished panel of experts, which focussed on a range of critical issues facing the Business leaders:
Ms Maren Moxon, CFO, The Wallem Group
Shri Shyam Jagannathan IAS, DG Shipping
Jonathan Andrews, CEO Steamship Mutual P&I
Aditya Trehan, MD Maersk Tankers, India
“The Poseidon Senate" panel discussion was anchored by Tim Wilkins, Deputy Managing Director of INTERTANKO (International Association of Independent Tanker Owners), which delved into the latest trends in the maritime industry, such as sustainability, crew welfare, technology, and regulatory developments.
- Durga Das, Founder, Aero Nero
- Nikolaus H Schues. President of BIMCO
- Nils Kovdal, CEO / Managing Partner of North Cape Capital
- Sanjay Varma, Director Head Decarbonisation Solutions, Wartsila
As a stress buster, the organisers arranged for Shri Devdutt Pattanaik, Author, Mythologist to speak before dinner, which was extremely engaging.
Over the 3 days, the conference featured more than 60 papers presented on various topics, with delegates from India and overseas participating in intense discussions, on subjects related to technical, commercial and insurance.
Speakers included Dr Malini Shankar IAS (Retd.) Capt Rahul Choudhuri, Anil Devli, Capt. Suresh Amirapu and other eminent industry personalities.
The themes covered are:
1. Reforming (of Romancing) the Future – is Education better than Schooling?
2. Managing Learning – The Future of the Shipping world
3. Navigating the Future – Blockchain, Ai, Data Analytics and Digital transformation
4. The Connectivity Conundrum – Linking Rivers, Ports and Railways
5. Classification Society – A voice of influence
6. Managing Learning – what can Shipping learn from other industries
7. Shipping Markets – Can we predict the future?
8. Duty of Care – Safety Management and Crew welfare
9. Ship building and repairs – Can India grab a share of the market?
10. Managing and Hedging Risk – Asset, Cargo and Currency
11. Sustainable Development – Is it only about Climate Change?
12. Technical innovations – Marine Applications
13. Ocean Governance & Energy Transition
14. Cost leadership in Maintenance
15. Advancements in Product Technologies – Fuels, Lubricants, Paints and Chemicals
16. Powering Academic Research – Hulls, Propulsion Equipment, Vibration and Underwater noise
The Valedictory session held on December 6th was chaired by the Chief Guest, Vice Admiral G Srinivasan, AVSM VSM, Director General Naval Projects and the Guest of Honour, Shri Amitabh Kumar, IRS (Retd.) who spoke on the industry, its challenges and benefits to the world at large.
The conference concluded with a formal transfer of a traditional lamp from the incumbent, C V Subba Rao to the next Conference Chairperson. Dr Dina Pas Dimas of the Portuguese Engineers Association. The conference now travels to Lisbon, Portugal where it shall be held in the summer of 2027.
The organisers place on record their gratitude to the Members of the Press for their unwavering sense of duty, courage and kindness.