Speakers 2025
More information coming soon.
Frederik ERDMANN
Moderator and contributing correspondent Shippax
Frederik Erdmann is a Shippax correspondent since 1996 and professionally involved with shipping since 1999 when he joined the German port agency network, Sartori & Berger, on a vocational training program. After his graduation as Shipbroker & Liner Agent and subsequent studies of Business Administration, Frederik held various positions with Sartori & Berger until 2010. After a period of working for the Flensburg Chamber of Commerce, he belonged to the management team of Wyker Dampfschiffs-Reederei, a leading German domestic operator, from 2015 to 2021, with responsibilities among others for Safety/Security as well as for Environmental and Quality Management. He then became self-employed under the brand of Frederik Erdmann Maritime Consulting, specialising in Passenger Ship Management, Quality and Environmental Management, Risk & Resilience Management, Emergency Management, related crew education/training as well as all aspects of Dangerous Goods Transportation. Frederik is a permanent visiting lecturer at the Flensburg University of Applied Sciences, teaching in the Maritime Transport, Nautical Sciences & Logistics as well as the Ship Operation Engineering degree programs. He regularly contributes to maritime business publications in the UK, Scandinavia and Greece, and is a member of the Tourism Committee as well as the Transport & Infrastructure Committee of the Flensburg Chamber of Commerce. After a decade of activity in municipal politics, June 2023 saw Frederik being elected Mayor of Rügge, the municipality which he is living in. His professional involvement in the shipping sector is complemented by a genuine passion for maritime history and ferry design, with a particular focus on ships built between the 1950s and the 1980s. His private collection encompasses ferry-related literature, numerous technical documents of ships, as well as a collection of ship models. Other interests of Frederik include motorcycling and, somewhat more exceptional, agricultural aviation.
Alan LAM
Co-moderator and correspondent and analyst Shippax
Based in Hong Kong and Austria, Alan Lam is a freelance journalist and maritime transport business researcher. He has been collaborating with Shippax since 2010, regularly contributing articles to both its monthly and yearly publications. He also writes for other shipping publications worldwide and compile customised market reports for investors, lenders, and suppliers.
Björn BLOMQVIST
CEO Eckerö Group
Björn Blomqvist was appointed CEO of the Eckerö Group in 2004. Before joining Eckerö he worked for the airline company SAS and the industrial group Munters. Mr Blomqvist holds an MSc in Economics and Business Administration from the Swedish School of Economics in Helsinki. He has studied and worked in Finland, Sweden and Germany.
In addition to his work heading the Eckerö Group, Mr Blomqvist is also active as chairman of the board of the Finnish Shipowners’ Association and a member of the boards of the Swedish Maritime Employers’ Association, the Swedish Confederation of Transport Enterprises and the European Community Shipowners´ Association.
The Eckerö Group is active in ferry and roro shipping in the Baltic under the brands Eckerö Linjen, Eckerö Line and Eckerö Shipping. Group turnover in 2023 was 222 M€ and number of employees 850.
Anders BORG
Former Swedish minister of finance, financial advisor
Leading economic policy maker as long-serving Minister of Finance in Sweden and president of the Ecofin Council. Former advisor to the Finnish Government, the Governor of the Riksbank and to the then Prime Minister Carl Bildt.
Torben CARLSEN
CEO DFDS Group
Torben Carlsen was appointed President & CEO of Danish Ferry & Transport Group DFDS from 1 May 2019. He joined the company in 2009 as CFO and was, among other things, responsible for DFDS’ acquisition of Ferry and Transport Group Norfolkline in 2010 as well as other acquisitions, digitisation of DFDS and major change projects. Torben has a broad and international managerial background, with leading positions in Switzerland and the USA, primarily within the airline industry. In addition to this comes experience from private equity. He holds an MSc in Finance and various board positions in the finance and shipping industries.
Matteo CATANI
CEO GNV
Matteo Catani, born on November 8th, 1978, was appointed CEO of Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV) in 2016. Previously he served GNV in different positions, lastly as Chief Sales and Marketing Officer.
Mr. Catani joined GNV in 2007 after previous experiences within the Danone Group, a multinational company leader in the food-and-beverage industry, where he had held different business planning related positions.
In GNV Mr. Catani has assumed roles of growing responsibility, ranging from finance and controlling to revenue management and business development, and then getting commercial and marketing executive responsibility.
Mr Catani is board member and treasurer of AssArmatori, Italian Association of Shipowners, where he coordinates the Short Sea Committee, and member of the Comité Directivo (Executive Committee) of ANAVE, the Spanish Association of Shipowners. He is a member of the Stakeholder Adivsory Committee at various Italian Port Authorities, as a representative for the Shipowners and the Shipping Industry. He also serves different educational bodies and international associations related to the shipping sector.
Mr. Catani holds a bachelor's degree in Economics at The University of Genova and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) at the The University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Mike CORRIGAN
CEO Interferry
Mike Corrigan is CEO of Interferry, the trade association that represents the worldwide ferry industry. Mike’s focus leading Interferry is to ensure that it continues to be the voice of the worldwide ferry industry in matters of safety and operational best practices, is the industry’s voice with regulatory agencies such as IMO, and that the trade association’s value continues to grow for existing and new members. Mike brings extensive executive experience in the ferry industry, most recently as the CEO of BC Ferries, one of the world’s largest ferry operators. Before joining BC Ferries, he held various senior management roles at WestCoast Energy’s operations across Canada. Mike holds a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Victoria where he was awarded the 2018 Distinguished Alumni Award for the business school.
Phil DELANEY
Commercial Director Wightlink
Phil is responsible for sales, retail and marketing at the leading cross-Solent ferry company and is always looking for ways to grow the business by improving customer care. He has a comprehensive background in transport, having worked at GWR, Flybe and Trainline before joining Wightlink in 2022. Phil's first job was as a professional rugby player with Leicester Tigers.
Eric GREGOIRE
CEO Scandlines
Eric Grégoire joined Scandlines as CEO in July 2024 and comes from a position as CEO of Goodpack Pte Ltd. in Singapore.
Gjermund JOHANNESSEN
Managing Director Norwegian Ship Design
Mr Johannessen has had a career of over 20 years as a ship designer and naval architect. He believes that the best value solution is always the most energy efficient one, a mantra he takes together with an unyielding commitment to a safety first and forward looking approach to vessel design and engineering. The success of this philosophy is borne out by his large book of returning customers.
Håkan JOHANSSON
CEO Gotlandsbolaget
Born: 1972
Position held since: 2012
Education: Studies in business administration at Jönköping School of Economics and English at Stockholm University.
Other assignments: Chairman of the board of Almi Företagpartner Gotland Aktiebolag and Visby Köpmansgille. Board member of Svensk Rederiservice Aktiebolag, Seably AB, International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and Alandia Försäkring Abp.
Tim MOONEY
President/Owner Fire Island Ferries, Chairman of Interferry
Tim Mooney is president of Fire Island Ferries, Fire Island Water Taxi and Fire Island Terminal, responsible for providing ferry, water taxi, freight and parking services originating from their Long Island, New York facility and servicing the communities of Fire Island, a 32 mile-long barrier beach. With a fleet of 25 vessels they provide transportation and related services to over 1 million passengers a year. Tim has a BS/BA from Nichols College in economics and computer science and started his career in the computer industry. He spent 25 years working with IBM, Wang Laboratories and Parametric Technology Corporation. In 2003 Tim left the computer industry to join his father to help run Fire Island Ferries. Since joining his father, he and his staff have worked to implement many new systems in support of websites, ticketing, freight billing, parking and advertising creating numerous incremental ridership and revenue opportunities for the organization. Tim has served on the Interferry Board since 2013.
Achille ONORATO
Vice chairman Moby S.p.A and CEO Moby S.p.A
Mr. Achille Onorato, the eldest son of Vincenzo Onorato, represents a fifth-generation shipowner. He graduated in Business Administration at Bocconi University in Milan. He later received his Master in Logistics and Transport Infrastructure at Bocconi.
Even before his degree, he already participated actively in the business of the company, working on board of ships of the fleet of the family alternately to studies from the age of 13 years old until the end of university, spending on board a total of more than three years. He then later started to work in the commercial area of the group and then became the Hospitality and Onboard Services Director of the company Moby SpA.
On January 2012 he became the CEO of the company Toremar, first public shipping company that was privatized in Italy, achieving a radical turnover, revolution and innovation of the company.
Mr. Achille Onorato has served as a member of the Board of Directors of Moby and Tirrenia – CIN since 2015 and he has also served as the sole director of both companies from its formation until its conversation into a joint stock company and the subsequent appointment of the Board of Directors.
On July 2015 Mr. Achille Onorato has become the Vice Executive Chairman of Moby SpA and subsequently in April 2016 he became the Chief Executive Officer and in the same time he still keeps the position of Vice Executive Chairman of the company. Mr. Achille Onorato is also the Vice Chairman of Assarmatori, the most representative Italian ship owner association.
In addition to the shipowner's family tradition, just like his father, he has also the passion for sailing on regattas.
Summary of Current Position in the Company:
- Moby CEO and Vice Executive Chairman
- Chairman of the BoD of Toremar
- BoD Member of San Cataldo
- Chairman of Agemar and Renzo Conti srl
Mary Ann PASTRANA
Chairperson Archipelago Philippine Ferries
Mary Ann Ibuna Pastrana is the Chairperson of Archipelago Philippine Ferries Corporation (APFC), the company that owns and operates the FastCat fleet. Holding a post-graduate diploma in Executive Maritime Management from the World Maritime University and a Master’s Degree in Maritime Education & Training from the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy, Mary Ann strongly leads their organization alongside her husband, Christopher S. Pastrana. With her relentless quest for learning, she is currently pursuing a PhD in Maritime Affairs at the World Maritime University.
Moreover, she is passionate about serving in various advocacies, which include serving as a Vice President of Women in Maritime Philippines, a Vice-Chair of the Advisory Group of the Philippine National Police Maritime Group, a board member of Worldwide Ferry Safety Association, an active member of Interferry and a previous board member of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization Philippines. Mary Ann is a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, avid traveler and a lifelong learner.
Marcus RISBERG
CEO Destination Gotland
Marcus Risberg (born 1975) joined Swedish domestic ferry operator Destination Gotland as CEO in March 2021. Marcus has extensive experience from passenger ferry industry through a long career in Silja Line and Tallink Grupp. Between 2015 and 2021 he held the position as Managing Director at TallinkSilja AB. Prior to this he worked within the industry in various finance roles such as Chief Controller and Finance Director at Silja Line and later TallinkSilja between 2002 and 2008.
During a period of six years, he left the industry and was engaged in IT and telecom working for Nokia and Microsoft. In 2014 the desire for shipping grew strong again and he decided to rejoin TallinkSilja as Sales Director.
Marcus grew up on Åland where the passenger ferry sector is a natural and integral part of everyday life.
David SURPLUS
Managing Director of B9 Energy Ltd
David is a Chartered Marine Engineer and former Lloyd's Register Surveyor who moved from marine and offshore oil & gas into renewables 33 years ago to form the B9 Energy group of companies.
B9 has developed 10 onshore and 2 offshore wind farm projects, provided O&M services on 49 wind farms, developed industrial scale anaerobic digestion, 6 x landfill gas power stations, and is now focussed on energy storage and green Power-to-X projects to provide balancing load for otherwise curtailed offshore wind farms.
Ronny ØKSNES
Advisor Norwegian Seafarers’ Union
Ronny Øksnes is a dedicated Advisor in the Norwegian Seafarer Union, tirelessly advocating for the rights and welfare of seafarers. He holds prominent positions as the Chair of the ITF Ferry Task Force and the Chair of the NTF Seafarer and Fishery Section. With a career deeply rooted in the maritime industry, Ronny started his career with Color Line and has lived and worked extensively on ferries. He strives to ensure a fair and equitable playing field in the ferry industry across Europe and the world. He believes that a fair level playing field benefits all parts of the ferry industry, from ship owners to seafarers and the countries that benefit from workplaces where the ferries dock.
Ronny has also been a strong advocate for equality within the industry. He believes that seafarers who work in a good environment are better equipped to handle passengers daily and respond effectively in emergency situations compared to those who suffer from social dumping and poor leadership.
Looking ahead, Ronny aims to continue his efforts towards achieving greater equality and fairness in the maritime industry worldwide. His future goals include enhancing safety standards, promoting sustainable practices, and fostering a supportive work environment for all seafarers. He is committed to ensuring that the ferry industry remains a safe, fair, and thriving sector for everyone involved.
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