The SMN Vision
As we turn our thoughts to meeting face to face again, we are also able to start focusing our attention on the big questions that have been raised over the last two years.
Smart Maritime Network has spent the last 24 months looking at key issues surrounding data exchange, data ownership and data interdependency. With digitalisation at the top of every to do list, there is more discussion than ever about what really drives value – for the customer and for the business. But this time there is another layer to the discussion – resilience. How do companies factor resilience into their digital transformation goals?
There has also been increased discussion around digitalisation’s impact on trade facilitation – particularly the role of mainstreaming digital technologies, including the implementation of paperless trade and new platforms and frameworks for data exchange (such as via single window systems). A report released by IAPH & the World Bank in 2021 describes how “collaborative use of digital technology can help streamline all aspects of maritime transport, from cross-border processes and documentation to communications between ship and shore”.
Another critical discussion is around the role of collaboration in creating a sustainable and resilient maritime sector – with responsibility across the maritime transport modes. In this developing digital landscape, an increasing number of actors must coordinate and engage with each other – including greater need to share information and exchange data.
Details about our registration policy and response to ongoing travel and country restrictions may be viewed by clicking on the Registration button above. For more information about this programme please get in touch with SMN here: cathy.hodge@smartmaritimenetwork.com
With an expert line up ready to share their knowledge and experience:
- Andre Simha, Global Chief Digital & Information Officer, MSC, & Chairman, DCSA
- Leo Brand, CIO, Vopak
- Ritesh Gupta, Senior Digital Leader, IKEA
- Dennis Winterswijk, Sales Director Merchant, Inmarsat Maritime
- Mare Straetmans, Founder, Platform Zero
- Matthijs van Doorn, Vice President Commercial, Port of Rotterdam
- Norbert Kouwenhoven, Special Advisor, Dutch Customs Administration
- Stewart Jeacocke, Chairman, TradeLens’ Foundation Council
- Sjoerd de Jager, Managing Director, PortXchange
- Dita Bruijn, Director North Sea, P&O Ferries
- Fabio Grandchamp, Former Chief Commercial Officer, Europe, APMT Terminals
- Iwan van der Wolf, CEO Managing Director, Portbase
- Niels Nuyens, Program Director, Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA)
- Donald Baan, Director of Business Development, Marketing and Sales, Portbase
- Oscar van Veen, Head Digital Innovations, Port of Rotterdam
- Rob O’Dwyer, Chief Network Officer, Smart Maritime Network
- Vishal Patil, Consultant, Euroconsult
- Marco Scholtens, Programme Maanager, SMASH! Nederlands Forum Smart Shipping
- Robbert Engels, Director of Product, PortXchange
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 // 18 May 2022
- Registration and Welcome Refreshments 8.15 AM
- Introduction & Welcome from Smart Maritime Network 9.00 AM
Cathy Hodge, Chief Operating Officer, Smart Maritime Network
- Mare Straetmans, Founder, Platform Zero 9.05 AM
Opening Notes from Conference Chair
Welcome to the day's events
- Session: Digitalisation and the Future of Shipping
- Andre Simha, Global Chief Digital and Information Officer, MSC 9.15 AM
Keynote Address: What Worries You, Masters You – Reducing Fear to Produce Success
- Dennis Winterswijk, Sales Director Merchant, Inmarsat Maritime 9.45 AM
The Communications Network of the Future: Enabling the Next Generation of Ships
- Leo Brand, CIO, Vopak 10.15 AM
Digitalisation as a Critical Success Factor for the Future of Logistics Chains
- Tea/Coffee Break with Technology Display Zone 10.45 AM
- Vishal Patil, Consultant, Euroconsult 11.15 AM
Reviewing the Maritime Connectivity Market 2022
· Opportunities for consolidation
· Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on satellite services for the maritime market
· Reviewing new entrants to the market
· Investment in the market - Session: The Role of Standardisation & Collaboration in Global Trade
- Panel Discussion: Optimization of Port Operations through Digitalization 11.45 AM
· Port Authorities' role in driving digitalization and fostering collaboration
· How to build digital infrastructure to facilitate transparent ship shore information exchange
· Improving port call efficiency for environmental and financial benefits
Hosted by: Sjoerd de Jager, Managing Director, PortXchange
Panellists
Donald Baan, Director of Business Development, Marketing and Sales, Portbase
Oscar van Veen, Head Digital Innovations, Port of Rotterdam
Robbert Engels, Director of Product, PortXchange - Panel Discussion: Digitalisation Fuelling Global Trade 12.30 PM
· Collaboration to harness digital solutions - such as electronic Bills of Lading and other supply chain data for global trade efficiency
· The technical, legal, and regulatory frameworks needed to break the silos between the global supply chain and financial institutions
· How has the pandemic impacted the digital transformation of global trade, and how the use of blockchain can help ease logjams
Hosted by: Norbert Kouwenhoven, Special Advisor, Dutch Customs Administration
Panellists:
Andre Simha, Global Chief Digital and Information Officer, MSC
Stewart Jeacocke Chairman of TradeLens' Foundation Council
Iwan van der Wolf, CEO Managing Director, Portbase
Niels Nuyens, Program Director, Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA)
- Lunch 1.15 PM
Enjoy 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 2.15 PM
Each 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 50-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 a total of 6 table discussions to choose from. Delegates are sent the list in advance and invited to choose the table they would most like to join. There will be some “free style” tables for open discussion too. - Short Break for Delegates to Return to Seats 3.15 PM
- Session: The Role of Leaders & Policy Makers
- Panel Discussion: Powering Digital Transformation in the Supply Chain 3.45 PM
• Building a coherent and comprehensive approach to digital transformation
• Leveraging return on investment
• The importance of purpose in a digital transformation strategy
Hosted by Rob O’Dwyer, Chief Network Office, Smart Maritime Network
Panellists:
Dita Bruijn, Director North Sea, P&O Ferries
Fabio Grandchamp, Former Chief Commercial Officer, Europe, APMT Terminals
Ritesh Gupta, Senior Digital Leader, IKEA
Marco Scholtens, Programme Manager, SMASH! Nederlands Forum Smart Shipping
Daniel Slater, Head of Business Development, i4 Insight - Matthijs van Doorn and Saskia Mureau, Port of Rotterdam 4.45 PM
Closing Address: How Can Ports and Shipping Companies Collaborate and Share Data to Achieve Real Sustainability?
This closing session will review the discussions of the day and look at how ports and shipping companies need to work in collaboration to achieve real sustainability, and what role digitalisation plays. We will look at the evolution of smart ports and how the Port of Rotterdam is driving developments in this area.
- Conclusions, followed by the SMN Rotterdam Networking Party 5.15 PM
Summary of conference conclusions followed by the SMN Rotterdam Networking Party - at Queen's Lounge, SS Rotterdam
Kindly sponsored by Inmarsat

PHOTO GALLERY
Venue
SS Rotterdam
3e Katendrechtse Hoofd 25
3072 AM Rotterdam
SMN has arranged a preferential accommodation rate for our conference participants. Please use this link to book your room.

Registration
Shipping Company VIP Pass
- Free conference registration for qualifying vessel operators (includes ship owners, ship managers, ship builders, ports & terminals, and other selected industry stakeholders - subject to confirmation by the organisers).
Conference Delegate Pass
- Delegate pass for admission to all conference sessions, and the evening Networking Party. (*Early Bird discount expired 18 April 2022. Discounts are available for multiple delegate bookings)