Smart Maritime Network Houston Conference
15 April 2025
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The SMN Vision
The first Smart Maritime Network conference in the United States is set for Houston, Texas in April 2025, to bring together global industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders for discussion on how technology can drive the future growth of the maritime and logistics sector.
This full-day event will feature engaging keynote presentations, dynamic panel discussions, and interactive roundtable sessions. Key topics include port efficiency innovations, transformative digital technologies, advancements in autonomous shipping, and the power of data-driven collaboration.
With contributions from the companies operating at the leading edge of shipping innovation, this event will offer invaluable insights into the latest tools, strategies, and solutions shaping the future of maritime operations.
Join us for unparalleled networking and a unique opportunity to explore cutting-edge advancements driving the maritime industry forward.
Throughout the day we will also provide increased opportunities for networking and developing the conversations further through bespoke roundtable sessions.
And of course, the day will end with the all-important SMN Conference Networking Reception – a chance to unplug and chat with fellow delegates and speakers.
For more details please contact cathy.hodge@smartmaritimenetwork.com
Conference Sponsors
Supporting collaboration in the maritime technology sector
Smart Maritime Conferences Global Sponsor
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Supporting Partners
With an expert line up ready to share their knowledge and experience:
- Amit Basu, Vice President, CIO & CISO, International Seaways
- Brandon Heasley, Director of Operations and Technology, Vopak IIA
- Cathy Hodge, COO, Smart Maritime Network
- Chad Burke, President & CEO, The Economic Alliance Houston Port Region
- Chakib Abi-Saab, Chief Technology & Innovation Officer, Lloyd’s Register
- Dan Yuska, Director of Innovation, U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD)
- Darren Shelton, Director of Sales, Moran Shipping Agencies
- David A. Walker, Vice President, American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)
- David H. Cummins, President & CEO, Blue Sky Maritime Coalition
- Captain Eric Carrero, President, Greater Houston Port Bureau
- Eric Griffin, Vice President, Offshore Energy & Fishing, Inmarsat Maritime
- Jace Garrett, Natural Resources, Oil, Gas & Chemical Commodities, Key Account Manager, SGS
- Jeff Scott, Chief Technology and Innovation (AI) Officer – Deputy, Lloyd’s Register
- Kenji Togasaki, Senior Vice President, Iino Lines
- Kris Jarrett, Regional VP Sales – North America, ST Engineering iDirect
- Lance Nunez, Global Marine and Terminal Logistics Director, Dow Inc.
- Marina Hadjipateras, Founder and General Partner, TMV
- Masatoshi Nishi, Vice President of Venture and Business Development, Inpex USA
- Captain Matthew Glass, 2nd Officer (VP), Houston Pilots
- Mike Shaffner, Director, Container Operations, Port Houston
- Nishant Kumar, Director of Marine Operations, Anglo-Eastern Cruise Management
- Capt. Petr Kontush, Port Captain, Stolt Tankers
- Rafael Riva, Vice President of Client Relations, International Registries, Inc
- Rajesh Gopinathan, Head of Business Transformation, Seaspan
- Rajith Aykkara, Line Vice President, Bahri
- Randy Giveans, EVP – Investor Relations & Business Development, Navigator Gas
- Rob O’Dwyer, Chief Network Officer, Smart Maritime Network
- Staci Satterwhite, CEO, ABS Wavesight
- Thomas Damsgaard, Head of Americas, BIMCO
Learning
Learn from our expert speakers and get up to date on the latest technology developments.
Sharing
Share ideas on how to transform the shipping business using digital technologies.
Networking
Reconnect with your peers in the maritime IT sector and make new contacts to benefit your business.
Conference Agenda // 15 April 2025
Registration and Welcome Refreshments 8.15 AM
Introduction & Welcome from Smart Maritime Network 9.00 AMCathy Hodge, Chief Operating Officer, Smart Maritime Network
Darren Shelton, Director of Sales, Moran Shipping Agencies 9.05 AMOpening Notes from Conference Chair
Welcome to the day's events
Captain Eric Carrero, President, Greater Houston Port Bureau 9.30 AMWelcome Address
Fireside conversation between Dan Yuska, Director of Innovation, U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) & David A. Walker, Vice President, American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) 9.55 AMAdvancing Maritime Innovation: The Role of the U.S. Center for Maritime Innovation
This session will explore how the U.S. Center for Maritime Innovation is driving advancements in maritime energy, operations, resilience, and competitiveness. With a focus on integrated power systems, marine fuels, digitalisation, and vessel efficiency, the center is working to modernise and strengthen the U.S. maritime sector through research, development, and collaboration with key stakeholders.
Key Discussion Points:
• Maritime Energy: Enhancing vessel electrification, marine fuel technology, energy efficiency, and integrated port energy solutions.
• Maritime Operations: Advancing remote/autonomous functions, digitalisation, and freight flow optimisation.
• Maritime Resilience: Addressing underwater radiated noise, vessel impact on aquatic ecosystems, and emerging maritime challenges.
• U.S. Maritime Competitiveness: Supporting ship construction, workforce development, and long-term maritime strategy to strengthen industry leadership.
Eric Griffin, Vice President, Offshore Energy & Fishing, Inmarsat Maritime 10.35 AMIndustry Keynote: Business Value of Maritime Digitalisation
Tea/Coffee Break with Technology Display Zone 11.00 AM
Panel Discussion 1: DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION & DATA-DRIVEN RESILIENCE – UNLOCKING MARITIME INNOVATION 11.30 AM• Smart Technologies Driving Maritime Innovation: The impact of AI, IoT, and digital twins on optimising performance, reducing costs, and transforming decision-making.
• Cybersecurity & Digital Resilience: Tackling growing cyber threats in an interconnected maritime ecosystem and strategies for robust protection.
• Data Standardisation & Collaboration: The role of shared data models, analytics, and interoperability in enhancing efficiency and streamlining workflows.
• The Future of Smart Maritime Operations: Trends in automation, predictive analytics, and AI-driven decision-making shaping the next generation of maritime operations.
Hosted by Rob O’Dwyer, Chief Network Officer, Smart Maritime Network
Panellists include:
- Amit Basu, Vice President, CIO & CISO, International Seaways
- Chakib Abi-Saab, Chief Technology & Innovation Officer, Lloyd’s Register
- Kris Jarrett, Regional VP Sales - North America, ST Engineering iDirect
- Marina Hadjipateras, Founder and General Partner, TMV
- Rajesh Gopinathan, Head of Business Transformation, Seaspan
- Staci Satterwhite, CEO, ABS Wavesight
Panel Discussion 2: NAVIGATING MARITIME TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENT – TRENDS, RISKS, AND OPPORTUNITIES 12.15 PM• The State of Maritime Tech Investment: Key funding trends, venture capital interest, and corporate investment in digitalisation, automation, and sustainability.
• Startups vs. Established Players: How maritime tech startups are disrupting the industry and the role of legacy companies in driving innovation.
• Assessing ROI & Adoption Challenges: What investors and industry leaders evaluate in emerging technologies — commercial viability, scalability, and regulatory alignment.
• Public & Private Sector Collaboration: The impact of government incentives, ESG-linked investments, and regulations on maritime technology funding.
• Future Outlook: Key investment opportunities in digitalisation, decarbonisation, and smart shipping over the next 5-10 years.
Hosted by Jeff Scott, Chief Technology and Innovation (AI) Officer – Deputy, Lloyd’s Register
Panellists include:
- Capt. Nishant Kumar, Director of Marine Operations, Anglo-Eastern Cruise Management Inc.
- Chad Burke, President & CEO, The Economic Alliance Houston Port Region
- Kenji Togasaki, Senior Vice President, Iino Lines
- Masatoshi Nishi, Vice President of Venture and Business Development, Inpex USA
- Mike Shaffner, Director, Container Operations, Port Houston
- Randy Giveans, EVP - Investor Relations & Business Development, Navigator Gas
Lunch & Networking 1.20 PMEnjoy some food and take the opportunity to tour our partners’ Technology Display Zones to learn how they are working towards a smarter shipping future.
Roundtable Discussion Groups – Hosted by our Partners 2.30 PMEach table will focus on a unique topic centred around the Smart Maritime Network goal of establishing better collaboration and standardisation in maritime technology. The roundtable discussions will take place simultaneously and will last 40-minutes with each table host then asked to summarise their discussions for the whole room, to ensure that all participants get the most from their attendance.
There will be several discussions to choose from. Delegates are sent the list in advance and invited to choose the table they would most like to join.
Tea/Coffee Break with Technology Display Zone 3.30 PM
Panel Discussion 3: BEYOND COMPLIANCE - RETHINKING MARITIME’S GREEN TRANSITION FOR A CHANGING SOCIETY 4.00 PMThe maritime industry’s sustainability journey is often framed around regulations, targets, and compliance. But what if we flipped the script? What if the real driver of change isn’t just IMO deadlines or ESG pressure, but a fundamental societal shift in expectations?
This panel challenges the industry to rethink why it is transitioning and to recognise that systemic change cannot happen in silos. It will explore:
• The growing societal and market demand for greener shipping - how consumer sentiment, investor expectations, and regulatory landscapes are evolving.
• The system of systems needed for genuine transformation - what needs to change holistically in policy, technology, financing, and workforce culture.
• Lessons from aviation’s decarbonisation journey - what maritime can learn from their successes and struggles in balancing economic and environmental priorities.
• The evolving role of maritime leaders - how leadership must shift from a compliance mindset to economic-environmental stewardship.
• The role of collaboration as a catalyst for transformation - how partnerships across sectors (shipping, energy, finance, technology, logistics) can drive systemic change.
Hosted by David H. Cummins, President & CEO, Blue Sky Maritime Coalition
Panellists include
- Capt. Matthew Glass, 2nd Officer (VP), Houston Pilots
- Rafael Riva, Vice President of Client Relations, International Registries, Inc
- Rajith Aykkara, Line Vice President, Bahri
- Thomas Damsgaard, Head of Americas, BIMCO
Panel Session 4: ENHANCING PORT EFFICIENCY: COLLABORATIVE STRATEGIES FROM INDUSTRY LEADERS 4.45 PMIn this discussion representatives from Stolt Tankers, Dow Inc., SGS, and Vopak IIA Freeport will discuss their successful collaboration aimed at reducing port time and boosting supply chain efficiency.
The session will explore the 'Time Alongside Optimisation Project,' which has achieved significant reductions in berth times and improved cargo transfer processes. Th epanellists will delve into the strategies and lessons learned from this partnership, offering actionable takeaways for enhancing operational efficiency in maritime logistics.
Key Discussion Points:
• Collaborative Process Review: How joint analysis of existing procedures and data led to the identification of bottlenecks and the development of standardised, efficient processes.
• Implementation of Standardised Procedures: The role of unified processes and communication channels in achieving an average reduction of two hours in port time per vessel.
• Digitalisation Efforts: Laying the groundwork for future digital initiatives to further streamline operations and enhance real-time data sharing among stakeholders.
• Scalability and Future Applications: Plans to replicate the project's success at other terminals globally, including ongoing efforts at Vopak Eurotank Terminal in Belgium.
Hosted by Capt. Petr Kontush, Port Captain, Stolt Tankers
Panellists include
- Brandon Heasley, Director of Operations and Technology, Vopak IIA
- Jace Garrett, Natural Resources, Oil, Gas & Chemical Commodities, Key Account Manager, SGS
- Lance Nunez, Global Marine and Terminal Logistics Director, Dow Inc.
Conclusions, followed by the SMN Houston Networking Party 5.40 PMSummary of conference and conclusions followed by the SMN Houston Networking Party
Kindly sponsored by Inmarsat Maritime
PHOTO GALLERY
MARITIME DIGITALISATION ADVISORS
International experts covering a range of maritime digitalisation technologies will be on hand at the Smart Maritime Network Houston Conference, ready to discuss how your company can leverage its data to improve processes and drive efficiency in an increasingly connected market
Conference Sponsors
Supporting collaboration in the maritime technology sector
Smart Maritime Conferences Global Sponsor
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Supporting Partners
Venue
Hyatt Regency Baytown – Houston
100 Convention Center Way,
Baytown, TX 77520,
United States
Registration
Shipping Company VIP Pass
€ 0
- Free conference registration for qualifying vessel operators (includes ship owners, ship managers, ship builders, ports & terminals - subject to confirmation by the organisers).
Conference Delegate Pass
€ 745
- Delegate pass for admission to all conference sessions, tea and coffee breaks, lunch and the evening Networking Party. (Discounts are available for multiple delegate bookings.)