Speakers 2019
Philippe HOLTHOF
Lead moderator and Senior Advisor & Editor-in-Chief Shippax
Philippe was born the son of a master mariner who commanded ferries of the Ostend-Dover Line. This accounting for an early interest in the maritime industry in general and ferries in particular, Philippe soon started to collect data and with his first pocket money took up travelling on ferries all over Europe to study the ships, their operators and ports.
After completing an education in (maritime) logistics management, he embarked on a career as a freelance author and started to write for Shippax in the mid-nineties. The work for Shippax has seen Philippe travelling on a wide variety of ferries and interviewing many decision makers in the industry. This culminated in Philippe being appointed senior advisor at Shippax and, more recently, also taking up the position of editor-in-chief.
A member of the DNV GL Ferry Committee, Philippe is also a guest lecturer at the Thomas More Institute in Mechelen, Belgium, for a bachelor’s degree course in tourism.
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.
Jesper AAGESEN
Director, Head of Sustainable Fleet Projects DFDS
Jesper Aagesen has 25+ years of experience within the shipping business and graduated as a Naval Architect, M.Sc, from The Technical University of Denmark in 1997. He started his career working as a Project Manager for the ship design company and in 2005 he joined the Newbuilding Department in A.P. Moller – Maersk as General Manager undertaking the project management of newbuilding projects. In 2010 Jesper Aagesen joined Lloyd's Register and held various roles including the role as Area Consultancy Manager.
In 2015 Jesper Aagesen joined DFDS A/S establishing and heading the newbuilding and major conversions department being responsible for executing DFDS' extensive newbuilding programme with 11 vessels being built in Germany and China. In addition to the newbuilding prgramme, the department has been in charge of conversion projects like lengthening, scrubber installations and ballast water treatment plant installations. Since 2021 Jesper Aagesen has been heading the new department "Sustainable Fleet Projects" taking care of newbuilding projects, conversion projects and long-term initiatives within sustainable shipping incl. sourcing of alterative green fuels.
Furthermore, Jesper Aagesen holds a Diploma in Economics from Copenhagen Business School and a Diploma in Ship Management.
Alexander BARD
Cyberphilosopher, music producer, television star, writer and lecturer
Alexander Bard is a Swedish cyberphilosopher, music producer, television star, and highly sought-after international speaker. He has written five books together with media theorist Jan Söderqvist. The first three titles – The Netocrats, The Global Empire and The Body Machines – have also been released together as The Futurica Trilogy and translated to over 20 languages. A fourth book Syntheism – Creating God in The Internet Age was released in 2014 and the autumn of 2018 sees the release of a fifth book Digital Libido – Sex, Power and Violence in The Network Society. Throughout their oeuvre, Bard & Söderqvist construct a brand new metaphysical system for the digital age, covering everything from the inner existential truths of the new physics to the radical utopian potential of participatory culture.
Bard has given lectures on the philosophical, sociological and economic implications of the digital revolution since the late 1990s. Throughout his career, he has been a fundamental force in creating the Swedish music export sensation – making Sweden the world’s biggest per capita music exporter – while promoting a deeper understanding of the full dramatic effects of information-technological disruptions (Sweden being the home of more tech unicorns per capita than anywhere else in the world). Bard certainly believes in practicing what he preaches, being deeply involved as a social entrepreneur in a series a highly successful technology companies and spiritual and political projects.
Bard studied Economic Geography at The Stockholm School of Economics in the 1980s while building a highly successful international career as a songwriter and record producer. In 1992 he co-founded Stockholm Records, which quickly achieved global success – with bands like The Cardigans, A-Teens, and Bard’s own Army of Lovers – before the company was sold to and integrated with Universal Music in 1998. Even though he has claimed to be too busy with cyberphilosophy and political and spiritual activism to find the time for any more songwriting, Bard achieved No. 1 hit records in Europe, Asia and North America as recently as 2013. He is, perhaps unsurprisingly, also a television celebrity in Scandinavia, as the tough judge on the talent shows Swedish Idol and Sweden’s Got Talent.
Hans-Jürgen BREITZ
Sales Consultant Sternenfrucht
1974-1980
Commercial Apprenticeship at Banking Institute in Hamburg and following employment.
1980-1994
In employment with Lykes Pasco Packing Company, Dade City / Florida, USA – Producer of deep frozen citrus-concentrates and manufacturer of the Vitality Beverage-System. Last four years General Manager of Lykes Beverage Systems, Hamburg/Germany.
1994-2009
Freelance Consultant at Wolfgang Jobmann GmbH, Hamburg. Manufacturer of the ORANKA Beverage System and Producer of ORANKA fruit juice concentrates.
2009 until today
Freelance Consultant and distributor of Hartung Nahrungsmittel, Haverlah, Germany. Manufacturer of STERNENFRUCHT Beverage System and Producer of STERNENFRUCHT fruit juice concentrates.
Torben CARLSEN
Chief Financial Officer DFDS Group
As a CFO of DFDS since 2009, Torben Carlsen has had a key role in the transformation of DFDS into a fast-growing and profitable provider of ferry and logistics services. In addition to his financial responsibilities, he was responsible for negotiating and completing the acquisition of shipping and logistics company Norfolkline in 2010, the Gothenburg RoRo terminal in 2012 and the Turkish shipping line UN Ro-Ro in 2018.
Under his management, DFDS has elevated IT and digital developments to a strategic level, building a new digital department that is focusing on digitizing DFDS and developing digital tools and services that will enhance the customer experience for DFDS’ customers.
Torben Carlsen holds chairmanships of the investment committees in Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and Gro Capital Fund, and is a board member of Investering & Tryghed A/S.
He came to DFDS from a position as COO and CFO of e-gatematrix; Partner of Polaris Private Equity; Vice President Corporate Finance, Gate Gourmet Group.
He holds a Cand.Merc.Int., Finance degree from the University of Aarhus.
Mark COLLINS
President and Chief Executive Officer BC Ferries
Mark Collins is a senior marine executive, having held leadership positions with BC Ferries for 11 years before becoming President & CEO. He was BC Ferries’ Vice President, Engineering from 2004 - 2012 and Vice President, Strategic Planning & Community Engagement from 2014 - 2017. His 35 years of marine experience also includes being President of Rolls Royce Marine Brazil and Rolls Royce Marine Italy, as well as several years in marine engineering on oil tankers, bulk carriers and container vessels. He has a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Transport and Logistics from the University of British Columbia, a Bachelor of Arts in Marine Geography from Saint Mary’s University and a Diploma of Mechanical (Marine) Engineering from Memorial University of Newfoundland. Born in Newfoundland, Mark understands the importance of a reliable ferry service to people’s lives, and to the social and economic health of B.C.’s coastal communities.
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.
Jan ELIASSON
Former Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden and Deputy Secretary-General of the UN
Mr. Jan Eliasson has served as appointed Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations. Prior to this, Mr. Eliasson had a distinguished career in the Swedish foreign service, including postings as Sweden's Ambassador to the UN and the United States, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, and Foreign Minister of Sweden.
Mr. Eliasson has also held several key positions within the United Nations, notably serving as the UN's first Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, as well as Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Darfur and President of the UN General Assembly.
Prior to his appointment as Deputy Secretary-General, Jan Eliasson also served as Chair of Water Aid/Sweden and a member of the UN Secretary-General’s Advocacy Group of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
He is a graduate from the School of Economics in Gothenburg, educated at the Swedish naval college and has an honorary doctorate from the American University, Washington, D.C., Uppsala University and Göteborg University, Sweden, and Bethany College, Kansas.
Håkan ENLUND
EVP, Sales and Marketing Rauma Marine Constructions
Håkan Enlund graduated as M.Sc. (Applied Mechanics) from the University of Oulu, Faculty of Technology. His career started 1981 with the performance yacht builder Baltic Yachts. Within the Hollming group he was the key person in establishing the new Materials Technology Division, where he took on the management responsibility for the fairing hulls of the MIR I and II deep-sea submersible research vessels project. Mr. Enlund has in his 35 year carrier in the Shipbuilding Industry, carried management responsibilities for car and passenger ferries as well as special vessel technology development and sales. He is one of the key executive persons in Rauma Marine Constructions Oy since the new shipbuilding company’s beginning in 2014. Mr Enlund holds positions of trust as board member of Interferry, chairman of the DNV Ferry Committee and advisory board member of the Aalto University, Research Centre of Excellence for Arctic Shipping and Operations.
Alastair FLEMING
General Manager Northern Marine Management
Alastair Fleming is a former sea going Master with over a decade of onshore shipping experience in both chartering, post fixture commercial operations and technical ship management.
As a General Manager at Stena’s ship management subsidiary, Northern Marine Management; Alastair has a breadth of experience in managing fleets of globally-trading vessels.
Conversant with national and international marine legislation and industry standards, Alastair is fully familiar with multi-cultural, cross-functional global corporate business environments.
Kevin GEORGE
Chairman Red Funnel
Kevin George joined Red Funnel on 2nd January, 2014.
Kevin has over 30 years experience in the transport sector having held senior management positions in a number of companies including British Airways and Monarch Airlines.
An engineer by training, Kevin has worked extensively in business development, customer services and operations as well as leading a number of significant business transformations.
Kevin is a keen sailor and lives on the Isle of Wight.
Koert GREVER
Director Netherlands and Nordic countries IESE Business School
Executive Education | International Open Programs
IESE Business School | Barcelona, Madrid, Munich, New York, Sao Paulo
Koert Grever joined IESE Business School to foster the strong relations with the business community in the Netherlands and Nordic countries. IESE Business school strives to develop people to become better leaders with a positive impact on their teams, organizations and society. He is a graduate from the University of Wageningen in the Netherlands and has been working many years for Oracle implementing Enterprise Software and heading the development of cloud computing solutions across EMEA since 1999. In 2010 he graduated from the IESE Global Exec MBA program engaging with more strategic and M&A type of consulting. Now working for IESE he happily combines the privilege to live in Barcelona and to help shape the future of Executive Education.
Emanuele GRIMALDI
Managing Director Grimaldi Group
Emanuele Grimaldi was born in Naples (Italy) in 1956 and, after finishing the military high school of “Nunziatella”, he studied at the University of Naples obtaining the Degree in Economics and Commerce with “summa cum laude” in December 1980. He is married and has 2 sons and 1 daughter.
In 2018 he was awarded as Commander of the Order of the Lion of Finland
After his studies he immediately started working at the Grimaldi Group’s companies, founded by his father Guido and uncles in the late 40’s. Throughout his professional career, he has covered various top managerial positions, both in Italy and abroad.
Within the Group’s organigram, Emanuele Grimaldi has gradually taken the helm of the Euro-Mediterranean short sea services and motorways of the sea network, thus heavily contributing to their remarkable development over the last 20 years.
Emanuele Grimaldi is currently Chairman of Grimaldi Euromed SpA, Managing Director of Grimaldi Group SpA and Board Member of Grimaldi Deepsea SpA, President and CEO of Finnlines Plc, President of Minoan Lines and Malta Motorways of the Sea and Board Member of ACL.
He is also Past President of Confitarma (Italian Shipowners’ Association) as well as Board Member and Past President of ECSA (European Community Shipowners’ Associations), Chairman of ICS (International Chamber of Shipping), Board Member of Interferry Inc. and Board Member of Rina SpA.
Ingemar GUSTAVSSON
Director ACTEMIUM
Born in a shipyard on the Swedish island Orust, Ingemar Gustavsson is brought up within spitting distance of the sea. Therefore it is not surprising that he is interested in the shipyard and shipping industry.
Ingemar Gustavsson has been the CEO and founder of Processkontroll Elektriska since it was founded in 2001. In 2012 it was acquired by the VINCI group, the biggest construction company in the world, and the company is today often seen under the VINCI brand name Actemium, well-known all over Europe.
In his speech Ingemar Gustavsson will tell the story of how the company became the leader in Scandinavia when it comes to shore connections. He will specifically focus on the latest invention - all-in-one solution where a HVSC or LVSC plant is put in a movable container that can be used in any port. By connecting to the electricity grid, the ship can switch off its auxiliary machines. This leads to reduced air emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen and sulfur oxides and an improved local environment. It can all be calculated quite precisely and the advantages are obvious: less noise, less pollution and - not the least - less costs.
Willem-Jan HAMERS
Managing Director Redwise
After spending six years sailing the seas, Willem-Jan started his onshore career at Wijsmuller Bros. in 1993. During his time within Wijsmuller, Willem-Jan started in the ship delivery branch and subsequently moved to Singapore for the terminal towage and offshore operations, followed by four years Indonesia and two years Australia leading the Riverwijs operations in Western Australia. After his return to The Netherlands 2005, following management buy-out of Wijsmuller Bros. from SvitzerWijsmuller, Willem-Jan was appointed Managing Director of Redwise in 2006. Together with his colleagues and seafarers, they have grown Redwise into what is today, a healthy independent company delivering an average of fifty vessels globally each year, providing in addition crew management and deep dea pilotage services. This makes Redwise a robust marine service provider with vast experience.
Harri HANSCHMIDT
Member of the Management Board Tallink Grupp
Harri Hanschmidt has been working in Tallink Grupp since 2009 and has held the positions of Head of Investor Relations and Head of the Finance Department among other roles during that time. Before being appointed to the Management Board of Tallink Grupp in February 2019, he held the position of the Group Head of Strategic Projects since 2015. Harri holds a Master’s degree in Business Informatics from the Tallinn Technical University.
Martin HEDMAN
Senior Consultant & Partner with Marine Profile
Martin is a Maritime Psychologist and partner with Marine Profile, a company that has provided the maritime industry with specialized HR services for over 20 years. Martin holds a Master’s degree in psychology from Lunds University and has during the past 8 years been working with psychological assessment, executive coaching and improving organizational efficiency and safety both ashore and on board ships.
Trine HEINEMANN
Project Coordinator ELLEN E-ferry Project
Trine Heinemann is Project Coordinator for the EU Horizon 2020 funded project, E-ferry, which aims to design, build and demonstrate a fully electric passenger and car ferry that can cover a range of up to 22 nautical miles between charging. A researcher and lecturer in communication, design and innovation, Trine has held various positions at universities and research institutions in the UK, Sweden, The Netherlands, Denmark and Finland over a period of about 15 years. Trine joined the E-ferry project in 2016, by appointment with the island municipality of Ærø (Denmark), which is also where the E-ferry has been designed, is being outfitted and equipped and from where it will be put into operation.
As a native of Ærø, Trine – along with the island’s other 6000 inhabitants – has a very practical interest in all things to do with ferry operation, though she prefers to stay on the island and use her other favorite means of transportation, a recently acquired Yamaha Virago. When not working or moving about, she attends to a very large garden, assist her husband with beekeeping, knits, crochets and does a little bit of research with former colleagues.
Peik JANSSON
Global Sales Manager ABB Marine and Ports
Peik Jansson is leading the Digital Service Sales at ABB Marine and Ports. In his role he focuses on close collaboration with ship owners and operators to provide the optimal solution from ABB’s wide digital portfolio, from single vessel services to comprehensive fleet wide solutions.
Through his career Peik has held various positions in R&D, Sales and Business Development functions within the marine industry.
Peik holds a M.Sc. in Mechanical engineering from Helsinki University of Technology
Ljubo JURISEVIC
President Cruise Division and Managing Director Evac
Ljubo Jurisevic has more than 12 years of experience within the marine industry. He received his first degree in Environmental Technologies from the School of Engineering of the University of Bremen (Germany) in 2001, specializing in water and wastewater treatment. While being trained at the University of Hertfordshire (England) in Environmental Chemistry, he also earned a second degree in Economics from the University of Applied Science in Oldenburg (Germany) in 2004.
In the course of his career, Mr. Jurisevic consolidated his engineering competences, as a project manager in the building sector before he moved to the marine industry, where he hold several Management position.
In 2012, the acquisition of Triton Water Maritime Solutions & Services carried out by Evac Group, resulted in the creation of a new entity, Evac Germany GmbH. As a result, Mr. Jurisevic joined Evac in the capacity of Managing Director of the German entity. In his current role, Mr. Jurisevic has full P&L responsibility and oversees the development and implementation of the group growth strategy.
Evac is today the leading provider of waste, wastewater and water management solutions for marine and building applications.
Since 2014, he is President of Evac Global Cruise Business Division and responsible for all cruise and ferry newbuilding and retrofit activities.
As a member of the Evac’s Executive Management Team, he successfully carried out the M&A process of Deerberg-System GmbH, global market leader for dry and wet waste treatment system for cruise ships.
Jaak KAABEL
CEO TS Laevad
Jaak Kaabel is Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Management Board at TS Laevad, which is the largest domestic ferry operator in Estonia, managing the routes between the Estonian mainland and two of its largest islands, which are vital to many livelihoods.
With more than ten years experience as a private entrepreneur, Jaak Kaabel has also been responsible for both shipping and aviation matters at the Ministry of Economic Affairs of Estonia, making him well-acquainted with national and international maritime legislation and industry standards. The government role involved close cooperation with the International Maritime Organization and Brussels. He has been a member of a number of supervisory boards of maritime companies.
Jaak Kaabel holds a master's degree in International Shipping Law from the University of Cape Town.
Tage KLOCKARS
General Manager Marine Service Agreements at Wärtsilä
Tage is, in his role in developing marine agreements, focusing on finding the right solutions for the customers to enable their installations to operate at optimal efficiency throughout their lifecycle and meet the safety and legal requirements. During over his 30 years at Wärtsilä he has held various positions ranging from sales to management, many of them in South America.
He has wide experience in improving shipping efficiency and optimising ship’s operations, auxiliary system’s operation and influence as well as maintenance management with condition monitoring systems and dynamic maintenance scheduling.
Kristian LIND
Chief Technical Officer OSK-ShipTech
Kristian Carøe Lind (b. 1966) Graduate Aarhus Tech (Building Techniques) 1989, Helsingør Teknikum (Naval Architect) 1994.
Various positions at proud Danish shipyards: Burmeister & Wain, Aarhus Flydedok and Aarhus Værft, now all bankrupt. “It was not me, I have nothing to do with that…” Lind claims!
In between shipyard closures Lind also worked within consultancies. Two periods at renown Knud E. Hansen A/S – the later period stationed at Guangzhou Shipyard International Company Ltd. (GSI) during the construction of VISBY and GOTLAND for Gotlandsbolaget in 2000-2003.
Since 2006 partner and CTO of OSK-ShipTech A/S (OSK), operating from the Aarhus branch office with a strong focus on design of passenger ships.
Robin MEECH
Managing Director Marine and Energy Consulting
Robin Meech is Managing Director of Marine and Energy Consulting, an independent consultancy established in 2001 focusing on the marine industry with a particular interest in the bunker sector. The company’s work frequently centres around providing insight into the future marine operating environment. This is particularly relevant at this time of immense changes: as we accommodate the impact of 2020, react to the devastating economic contraction due to the pandemic and as we plan for the decarbonisation of marine transport. These issues are paramount in strategic decision making.
MECL advises governments, international agencies, oil companies large and small, the ship owning and operating community as well as the supply side of the bunker sector. The emergence of an even wider range of fuels and identifying the routes to their take up are presenting unique questions particularly for those making strategic decision where MECL is being retained to help add confidence and insight.
Robin Meech has particular insight into the regulatory environment regularly attending IMO meetings as well interacting with EU regulators. He has acted as an advisor to IMO of environmental issues and studies.
Robin Meech is co-author of the book entitled “Bunkers – An analysis of the Technical and Environmental Issues” and is a past chairman of the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA).
Jan Erik NORLI
Chief Marketing Officer, Telenor Maritime
B.Sc Mechatronics
Mr. Norli’s positions has covered sales and management roles in an international environment throughout his career,
focusing on international sales over the last 20 years, primarily supplying products and services into the shipping industry.
Mr. Norli has been 8 years with Telenor Maritime, and contributed substantially to build Telenor Maritime to become the largest onboard connectivity provider for the Cruise & Ferry industry world wide.
Current position is to oversee and being responsible for all Telenor Maritime’s sales and marketing activities towards the Cruise & Ferry market world wide.
Telenor Maritime’s recent innovation, enabling the smart ship, followed by unprecedented VSAT bandwidth supply per vessel, ensures wireless connectivity and cutting edge technological combinations to the industry. Providing your passengers, guests and crew with mobile connection, superior wireless services and instant access onboard.
Paavo NÕGENE
CEO Tallink Grupp
Chairman of the Management Board since 01.05.2018, Chief Executive Officer.
Secretary-General, Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Estonia, from 2013 to 2018. General Manager of Vanemuine Theatre, Estonia from 2007 to 2012. Chairman of the Supervisory Boards of the Art Museum of Estonia, the Estonian Film Institute, Estonian Drama Theatre and Vanemuine Theatre. Member of the Supervisory Boards of Estonian Public Broadcasting, Estonian National Opera, the Gambling Tax Council. Graduated from the University of Tartu, Estonia, in 2012 with a degree in Journalism and Communications.
Alessandro ONORATO
Vice President Onorato Armatori
With full responsibility of every decision concerning the commercial and sales policy, since 2016 Alessandro Onorato is Vice-President of the Onorato Armatori group which includes Moby, Tirrenia, Toremar and Saint Petersburg Line.
His top management mandate coincided with the company exponential growth, e.i. with the turnover doubling to 600 million Euro total income and a still growing trend.
The Onorato Armatori Group, which inherited a five generation tradition on the sea, is market leader as far as passengers and goods traffic in the Med is concerned.
World number one regarding the number of beds offered and first in Europe as far as passenger capacity, the Onorato Group employs more than 5000 people. His 47 ships fleet connects Sardinia, Sicily, Corsica, France, Malta, Tuscany Islands, Tremiti Islands by granting 41.000 sailings per year from and to 34 different ports. The controlled company Moby Spl owns a cruise vessel operating in the Baltic Sea.
The Onorato armatori Group boasts a fleet of 17 high tech tugs; through the subsidiary company Sinergest spa, which owns the passenger terminal Isola Bianca within the Olbia port, and through the CPS srl, Tirrenia-CIN is the ro-ro port operator in Catania. In the port of Leghorn, Moby controls both the Renzo Conti Srl shipping agency and the Ro-ro Terminal LTM Autostrade del Mare Srl.
Within the Group organization, Alessandro Onorato headed the Moby Spa commercial division from 2012 to 2016; while, from 2015 to 2017, he was board member and commercial director of the Tirrenia company. Nowadays, Board member in Toremar, the operating company which deals with connections between Elba island and other Tuscany Islands, he heads up Moby Spl, the cruise company operating in the Baltic Sea (which connects San Petersburg, Helsinki, Stockholm, and Tallinn). This company registered booming results in few years of activity.
Furthermore, Alessandro Onorato is board member of the Catania Port Service: this is the Sicilian hub for the Onorato group that scored an astonishing 46% cargo traffic growth at the end of the first year of activity. Thanks to heavy investments, this Catania terminal is now the most technological up-to-dated port terminal in Sicily.
Alessandro Onorato has been also board member within Maddalena Ferries, Enermar and Società siciliana di salvataggio.
In 2016 he was appointed board member of the Unione Sportiva Lecce, a football club that scored impressive results and which is now on the track to gain a place in the Italian First division.
In 2008 he graduated at the Scientific school Zaccaria in Milan and then, in 2012, he got a degree in “Business Economy and Management of the Enterprise” at the Bocconi University in Milan. Even before his graduation, he was already active in the business of his family company. While studying, from the age of 15 years old, he indeed worked on board the family’s ships.
To conclude, he chairs the cultural association "I Birbanti", intended to undertake theatre productions, and he wrote two novels entitled "Fantasma di polvere" and "Zoo station", which both received great reviews both from the public and literary critics.
Edwin PANG
Senior Naval Architect Leadship
Edwin is a naval architect with around 18 years experience in consulting, specialising in general ship design, stability, fire safety, and environmental issues, but also carrying out surveys onboard and working in shipyards. He has been involved at the IMO since 2001 as part of the UK delegation and latterly the Danish delegation and currently chairs the IMO Committee of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects. He has also been involved in EU research projects on alternative design for fire safety, damage stability and is currently involved in an EU hydrogen ferry research project. He has worked on regulatory matters with INTERFERRY, INTERTANKO, ICS covering topics such as EEDI, minimum powering of ships and damage stability.
George PAPASTAMATIOU
Managing Director LIKNOSS
Giorgos Papastamatiou was born in Athens in 1966. He studied Computer Science in the University of Heraklion, Crete (1988) and he holds a Master’s degree on Computation from the University of Manchester, UK (1992). His field of expertise is the optimization of business performance. In the last 30 years, he has been engaged with startups as well as with existing enterprises of the private sector. Since Jan 2013 he is the Managing Director of LIKNOSS Software SA (ex FORTHcrs SA) member of the NorthStar Group. He is also the chairman of the board and Managing director of LIKNOSS Italy and LIKNOSS Central Europe S.A.
In LIKNOSS, Giorgos’ vision and task is to expand the boundaries of the company, so as it becomes the main international distribution network of the ferry industry and land transportation in the new travel landscape. To that extend, together with the professionals of LIKNOSS, he is building necessary add-ons that will develop fully comprehensive environment for the travel industry professionals, including -what he is calling- an eco-system between ferry operators, other travel services vendors, travelers, travel agents and complementary services.
The strategic expansion is greatly facilitated by the NorthStar Group where LIKNOSS belongs and goes in three directions: functionality, territory and service types. These directions are followed and LIKNOSS is already building up its international profile with comprehensive services and modern technology. Therefore, LIKNOSS has invested in developing innovative services and solutions including Business Intelligence Tools, Revenue Management for Ferries, intermodal transportation (combination of ferry travel with that of bus and train), Credit Limit Management (CLM, a mechanism similar to the BSP in the airline domain), mobile ticketing and check-in, port solutions for check-in as well as “e-ticket”, a game-changer approach for the ferry industry. The territory is expanding and until now it covers South and North Europe, the Caribbean and Morocco.
George has one son and he is also a writer of books for children.
Bruce PETER
Professor of Design History at the Glasgow School of Art
Bruce Peter is Professor of Design History at the Glasgow School of Art. He has a life-long interest in merchant ship design and passenger shipping operation and has written extensively on these subjects. His latest maritime publications are a history of the Danish liner, ferry and logistics company, DFDS, and a history of Tor Line, which DFDS purchased in 1981. He is also currently working with colleagues in Finland on a history of Finnish shipbuilding, has written for the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) a book about the design of the Kappel propeller and is assisting the Victoria & Albert Museum in London to curate an exhibition about ocean liner travel.
André POWILLEIT
Head of Sales & Design Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft
Coming with a commercial and technical background, he performed different functions in international sales and business development in industries like naval, marine, hydrographic, offshore wind.
This took place in different types of enterprises which include major defence cooperations, medium-sized and owner-managed companies.
The majority of his career, he closely worked with shipyards and customers around the world, predominantly as supplier and system integrator.
André has always been passionate about wind and sea and is living in Kiel, Germany.
Carl-Ulfert STEGMANN
CEO AG Reederei Norden-Frisia
1995 –1997 British American Tobacco in Hamburg (Financial trainee)
Controlling: 6 months Transfer price project; Corporate Finance (Evaluation of subsequent Acquisition), Marketing Finance
1998 – 1999 British American Tobacco in London (Treasury Analyst)
Rate- and Currency Management for BAT Holding, Member of Merger Task Force Teams, Financial Projects (Leasing etc.) Optimization of Investment- and Financing Strategies in Europe on Tax Considerations for BAT Holding.
2000 Wyker Dampfs-Reederei Föhr-Amrum GmbH
Management Assistent
2001 to 2004 AG Reederei Norden-Frisia
Assistent to the Board
2004 CEO AG Reederei Norden-Frisia
Additional offices/duties
2001 Member of the board Wyker Dampfschiffs-Reederei Föhr-Amrum GmbH
Managing Director of several AGRNF-subsidiaries
2006 Member of administrative board of Arbeitgeberverband für Ostfriesland und Papenburg e.V. (employer organisation)
2007 Member of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce Ostfriesland and Papenburg, Vice President
Tarvi-Carlos TUULIK
CEO HT Shipmanagement at AS Tallink Grupp
Master mariner, Project Manager of the ro-pax SUPERSTAR newbuilding 2006-2008.
He has been with the Group since 2000 as a Chief Officer and since 2004 as a Captain on board passenger ferries
Captain Tuulik holds a Master's degree in Naval Science and Operational Studies from St. Petersburg Maritime Academy, 1994
Per WESTLING
Managing Director Stena RoRo
Per Westling has been employed by Stena since 1985. In addition to a M.Sc. degree in Naval Architecture from Chalmers Technical University of Gothenburg, Sweden, Per is trained as an Engineer within the Royal Swedish Navy. Within the Stena group he has been project manager for several newbuildings and major conversion projects but also served for five years within the Stena Line Shipmanagement division. In 2001 he moved to Stena RoRo as Conversion Manager, took on the role of Deputy Managing Director in 2008 and subsequently Managing Director in 2011. Mr Westling is since 2013 a board member of Interferry Inc.
Finn WOLLESEN
Managing Director KNUD E. HANSEN
Finn Wollesen has salt water in his veins. He started sailing on J. Lauritzen Reefer vessels and on the Nella Dan, sailing expedition voyages in Antarctica. Finn then trained as a mechanical engineer in Denmark, which led to a design position with the HVAC equipment supplier Novenco, working on projects for the international maritime market.
Finn has been stationed in numerous countries, including Spain, Singapore and Italy. After the Italian posting, Finn and a colleague started their own marine design and consultancy; Marine Technologies. Which, in 2003, was merged into one of the Danish marine industry's most renowned and respected companies KNUD E. HANSEN, founded in 1937.
Finn became CEO of the merged group and the old sailor and travelled CEO thrives in a very international atmosphere.
William ZHOU
Vice President Guangzhou Shipyard International
Mr. William Zhou (Zhou Xuhui), Vice President of Guangzhou Shipyard International Company Limited (GSI) which under the biggest shipbuilding group in China CSSC, responsible for sales & marketing, procurement with effect from 2015. As one of the execution management board of GSI, the largest shipyard in south China, he has 24 years of extensive working experience in shipbuilding, having worked as an engineer for 8 years, later as project and production management for 5 years, and more than 10 years focusing on sales & marketing as well as procurement management, in charge of large numbers of project execution, he has a high level of expertise for management of luxury Ropax, Offshore Tonnage and Product/Chemical Tanker design and construction, and delivery.
He has dedicated all his youth and wisdom to the Chinese shipbuilding industry. In his life dictionary, there is no enjoyment but work, no difficulty but courage. He is used to proceed in adversity. He shouldered the heavy responsibility of continuing the company's development in the prosperity and exploring a way out for its survival in the slump of the industry. In 2003, he worked for half a year in Sweden as the guarantee engineer for China's first exported Ropax to Europe, and successfully completed the mission. GSI has then successfully secured and delivered a series of high-performance luxury Ropax, Semi-submersible Heavy Lift Vessels, Ice Breaking Type of Commercial Ships which are unique in the global market under his leadership since 2014, making a contribution in winning the favor internationally for the high-class ships built in China.
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