Main Conference Day One - Tuesday November 19

Join this opening presentation to hear from RADM Arguin from the US Coast Guard, on the state of LNG as a fuel in the maritime industry. LNG has been critical in the marine emission reduction story, with the demand increasing year-on-year. This session aims to highlight what is being done in 2024 and in the future to support the growth of LNG as a marine fuel. Join this session for discussions on:

-        USCG analysis of the importance of LNG in the marine context

-        Current regulatory frameworks impacting LNG use, and any planned development of these

-        Best practices for ensuring safety in bunkering, including training programs

-        Other decarbonization initiatives that we can collaborate on for a more sustainable future

Rear Admiral Wayne R. Arguin Jr

Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy (CG-5P)
U.S. Coast Guard

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Join us in this fireside chat along with our co-host sponsors Pivotal LNG and Seaside LNG to gain an insight into the collective efforts around North America, on LNG use and why industry leaders need to stay informed about the latest trends and developments. With LNG emerging as the most viable option for many operators in America, the market is also witnessing significant growth in LNG bunkering infrastructure, making it crucial for stakeholders to understand the implications. Join this session to hear discussions on:

-        Comprehensive market overview update including natural gas pricing in the U.S. and expectations for industry growth in the coming years

-        Insights into the expansion of LNG bunkering infrastructure and its impact on the industry

-        Success stories such as the first bunkering at Port Everglades, illustrating the practical benefits and challenges of LNG adoption

Peter Keller

Chairman
SEA\LNG

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Rob Butts

Manager - LNG Business Development
Pivotal LNG

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Tim Casey

Chief Executive Officer
Seaside LNG

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Join this session to delve into what the state of the new orders are in the North American market. With focus being drawn to evolving ships to use cleaner burning fuels, the availability of these fuels has been a drawback for many. One clear way to evaluate the state of play is to look at where companies are investing now and to understand their plans for the future. This presentation will host an in-depth analysis of recent trends, looking at the types of vessels being commissioned and their alignment with decarbonization goals. The presentation will answer the following questions:

-        Is the demand for LNG truly rising as much as we think?

-        How will demand levels have a ripple effect on other stakeholders within the supply chain’s priorities and investments?

-        How will these orders influence the speed of infrastructure growth and regulatory support changes?

- Do we think this demand trend will continue, and what are the wider implications for the whole industry?

Royal Caribbean’s ICON of the Seas is a ground-breaking ship. Not only is it the largest cruise ship in the world, but it is also the first of Royal Caribbean’s fleet to be LNG-fueled. Due to its size and complexity, there are inherent challenges that make this cruise ship difficult to refuel. With a large vessel separation distance of 10 meters, overhanging lifeboats infringing on the enclosed bunkering area and a limited time window for refueling operations, there is a real need for innovative technology to make this a success. 

Matt Richardson

Global Business Development Manager
Trelleborg Fluid Handling Solutions

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Ship operators are now not only dealing with regulatory pressure to decarbonize but are also faced with a demand-side pressure to reduce their emissions from freight and cargo owners to invest in zero-carbon shipping. These major cargo owners have a growing influence on the shift towards cleaner fuels through strategic partnerships and innovation. By examining case studies from the past year on investments made and partnerships, this presentation aims to look at the impact on the wider industry and evaluate the true influence this could bring in the future.

In this session, panelists are going to take a deep dive into the current ‘real’ availability of bio/e-lng infrastructure in the US and zero in on actual capacity versus assumed capacity. Join the panel to hear discussions on:

-        Analyzing current bio/e LNG infrastructure in the US

-        Examining the actual vs assumed capacity for green LNG

-        Challenges of operators securing RIN credits without getting the fuel into the ship

-        Overcoming infrastructure barriers and building a more robust pathway for green LNG adoption

Ricardo Schiappacasse

Director Forest Products & Special Cargos
Jacksonville Port Authority

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Dain Detillier

Executive Vice President - LNG Operations
Harvey Gulf International

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One critical challenge operators are facing is understanding the available supply of LNG - and whether it will meet the increasing demand. With this comes the question also of regional availability. With more limited options for LNG bunkering on the West Coast in comparison to elsewhere in the US, this panel aims to answer some of the following questions regarding West Coast developments:

-        What is the current landscape of LNG bunkering on the West Coast, and what opportunities are emerging?

-        Are there significant projects or infrastructure improvements planned in the next year that will enhance LNG availability?

-        What insights and best practices can be drawn from LNG bunkering experiences on the East Coast and Gulf Coast?

-        Are there regulatory hurdles impeding the growth of LNG bunkering on the West Coast, and how can they be addressed?

-        What strategies can the industry adopt collectively to accelerate the development and adoption of LNG bunkering infrastructure?

- How can we anticipate future trends and developments in LNG bunkering to make informed investment decisions?

Sarah Smith

Director, LNG Business Development
FortisBC

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With ambitious emissions reduction targets, we know as an industry, the time is now to start making decisions on the future of our organisations, and some have already taken the plunge and led this change. This panel aims to bring together executives from some of North America's largest ship operators, to give an operator perspective on what is driving shipping sustainability decisions. Hear discussions on:

-        What specific fuel investments have been made recently in your organization, and what factors were considered when evaluating the fuel?

-        What cutting-edge technologies are you implementing to help reduce emissions and meet sustainability goals?

-        Can you share any examples of emerging partnerships focused on collaborative decarbonization efforts?

-        How might the results of the recent election impact regulatory and policy changes that affect your fuel strategies?

Peter Keller

Chairman
SEA\LNG

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Matt Jackson

Vice President Crowley Advanced Shipping
Crowley

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JP Marcantonio

VP Marine Operations
TOTE Services

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Jennifer Carpenter

President and CEO
American Waterways Operators

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LNG is the clear front-runner in North American maritime industry, but with some companies making bold decisions to steer away from LNG and invest in other marine fuels, it must be a consideration for other ship owners. The conversation has been taking form over the past few years, with methanol, ammonia and hydrogen (and the potential of nuclear) as candidates for viable green marine fuels. These fuels, however, have many challenges that need to be addressed before they can truly be considered as a viable at scale. Hear discussions on:

-        How is safety prioritized when looking at the alternative fuel options?

-        While they might be scarce now, can we comment on perceived availability in the future?

-        How can we collaborate to understand the potential cost of making an investment in an alternative vs the cost of not meeting emissions targets?

-        Opinions on why the European Market is focused on a multi-fuel basket including these alternatives

Mihaly Wekler

Vice President of Operations and Business Development
Anew Climate

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Mauricio Lacayo

AVP, Global Fuel Procurement, Supply Chain Management
Royal Caribbean Group

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With the event just 2 weeks after the presidential elections, this makes it the perfect time to discuss the potential impacts on the industry. The current Administration’s decision to pause, temporarily, decisions on exports of LNG to non-FTA (Free Trade Agreement) countries speaks to the complex role of that fuel within the future transport mix, including for marine. Whilst it is impossible to predict the regulatory and framework changes that might occur, and how the energy and maritime industries might be impacted, this panel aims to analyze how different administrations might address energy and maritime issues. Join to hear our panelists discuss:

-        How do we see policies on energy changing – with a particular focus on LNG?

-        Do we think we will see an impact on LNG imports and exports in the US?

-        Do we think the election results will impact the likelihood of new clean fuel incentive systems for the maritime industry?

Daniel Gage

President
Natural Gas Vehicles Association America

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