Speakers 2011
Giorgio O. ARENA
(giorgio.arena@fincantieri.it)
Born in Naples 59 years ago, he became naval architect / mechanical engineer at 23. He started his activity in the design department at the naval division of FINCANTIERI in Genoa and was appointed Program Manager four years later.
In 1986 he moved to Trieste as Assistant Manager of the Commercial Director at the head office (Corporate) of the same company.
Three years later, again in Genoa as Director of Auxiliary Vessels, he started the lucky activity of the fast ferries with the “53 knots Destriero”, followed by ten mono-hull units.
Again in Trieste as Director of Merchant Ships Business Unit, he signed 26 new building contracts in 26 months, of bulk-carrier, ro-ro, container, reefer vessels, etcetera.
He was Purchasing Director for five years with a purchase portfolio of 1,2 billion Euro/year, relating to the activities of six yards, building cruise and ro-pax vessels.
From 2004 Executive Vice President of the Merchant Shipbuilding Business unit, he is leading the commercial activity of FINCANTIERI into the ferries market.
Gunnar BLOMDAHL
(gunnar.blomdahl@stenaline.com)
Gunnar Blomdahl is CEO and Managing Director of Stena Line.
He has been Managing Director for Stena Line since 2003. During his time as MD Stena Line have invested over 100 MEUR in new and refurbished ships and Stena Line does today have the most modern and up to date fleet in northern Europe.
He started with studies in Business Economy and Business Law at the University of Göteborg Gunnar started his career in the hotel business. After various management positions at different hotels on the Swedish West Coast Gunnar was appointed Marketing & Sales Director of Stena Line Scandinavia AB in 1997 and 1998 he was appointed Route Director for Stena Line’s route between Sweden and Germany. In 2001 Gunnar moved with his family to Ireland to take up the position as Area Director for Stena Line’s operations on the Irish Sea.
In the beginning of 2003 Gunnar was appointed Managing Director of Stena Line. Gunnar has taken an active part in the Turnaround Project taking Stena Line back to profit after suffering heavily from the abolition of Duty Free and after that developed the company to have the most profitable years in the company’s history.
Klas BROGREN
Klas Brogren is first and foremost dedicated to passenger shipping as a lifelong hobby. Not really discovering the border line of a hobby, it became his profession when, in 1977, his first assignment was a project with Tor Line in Gothenburg. That was followed five years later with shipbroking in Stockholm where he was active in S&P and chartering, specialising in passenger shipping. In 1981, Klas returned to his hometown of Halmstad to become a partner in Marine Trading which for many years held the management contract for Prince of Fundy Cruises as well as Scarlett Line. As the need of market information expanded, Klas developed this in his own company Plus 2 Ferryconsultation AB, which later registered ShipPax Information as its marketing name. Apart from the publications, CRUISE & FERRY Info, GUIDE, DESIGNS, MARKET and ShipPax Database, the company is also offering tailor-made consulting or evaluations, and is a co-founder and organizer of the spring-time Ferry Shipping Conference.
Robert CLIFFORD
(RClifford@incat.com.au)
Robert Clifford, Chairman of Incat, designed and built his first boat after lessons learned during many years of sailing in yachts and operating fishing boats and river ferries. He built a 250 passenger ferry in 1972 to serve the Port of Hobart, then established International Catamarans which built a series of vessels for the Australian market. By the late 80’s Incat was building the wave piercing catamarans for which it is renown.
Entering the International market in 1990 Robert Clifford and Incat were delighted when the 74 metre Hoverspeed Great Britain took out the prestigious Hales Trophy for the fastest crossing of the Atlantic, two more Blue Riband wins followed, and 20 years on the Trophy remains with an Incat built ship, with still no challenger in sight. Over those two decades Incat moved from smaller car ferries to building military craft or commercial ships with vehicle decks large enough for articulated lorries. Incat and Robert Clifford are now embracing the push for greener, more environmentally friendly and fuel efficient ships as the next challenge – building bigger and more efficient light weight passenger and freight vessels.
William GIBBONS
(w.gibbons@psa-ace.org)
Williams Gibbons has been director of the Passenger Shipping Association (PSA) since April 1994. Since that time he has worked to actively promote the UK cruising industry to UK holidaymakers and the travel trade, through the PSA’s Association of Cruise Experts (ACE) and the Discover Cruises PR Campaign. Since 2003 the PSA has been coordinating further PR activity, to promote travel by ferry.
The PSA is the trade association for both cruise and ferry companies based in the UK. Currently the PSA has 37 (amounting to 43 brands) Cruise, 13 Ferry and 86 Associate Members (the associate scheme being launched in 2004). In 2004 Bill was very involved in setting up the European Cruise Council (ECC). He is currently Marketing Director of the ECC. In 2009 the PSA took on the administration of cruiseBritain with the aim to reinvigorate Britain as an exciting cruise destination.
From 1990 to 1994 William was an independent management consultant, working particularly in the ferry industry, whilst also studying for an MBA degree. William previously held the post of general manager of Sealink Isle of Wight ferries, prior to which he was the service manager and then ferry line manager for the Harwich Hook of Holland ferry route.
William was previously assistant shipping and port manager for the Port of Harwich and worked on the Channel Island services from Portsmouth.
William has two children and lives in London and Dorset. He is also a Justice of the Peace (J.P) in central London.
Emanuele GRIMALDI
(graniello.giovanna@grimaldi.napoli.it)
Managing Director, Grimaldi Group. President of Finnlines, President of Minoan Lines, President of Malta Motorways of the Sea, Grimaldi Logistica España, Salerno Auto-Terminal. Vice-President of the Malta International Shipping Council. Board member of Atlantic Container Line, European Community Shipowner Association (ECSA), Confitarma (Italian Shipowner Association).
Since 1986, Mr Emanuele Grimaldi is Managing Director of Grimaldi Group, a company who is at the centre of a remarkable development in the Roll on / Roll off maritime transport. Most recently Grimaldi Group also became a driving force of the Motorways of the sea and Short Sea Shipping concepts by deploying a fleet of modern ships operating on international routes.
In the latest years Mr Emanuele Grimaldi was deeply involved in the expansion of Grimaldi Group on international level, paying constantly attention towards sustainable models of maritime transports.
Mr Emanuele Grimaldi has Degree in Economics and Commerce taken “summa cum laude” at the University of Naples in December 1980.
Guido GRIMALDI
(grimaldi.guido@grimaldi.napoli.it)
Guido Grimaldi was born in London, on the 26th of August 1983.
When he was 16 he had his first professional experience, participating with the crew of “Malta Express” to the daily maritime activity onboard.
During his studies, Mr Grimaldi followed to cultivate his passion for horses, by becoming in 2001 Italian champion of Show Jumping.
In 2005, at the age of 23, he got a Degree in Economics and Commerce with honors (110/110) at the University Federico II of Naples and he soon joined the family company, starting his activity in the Short Sea Department.
Meanwhile he could enlarge his professional background in the transport and logistics field by attending the MBA Master “Automotive Logistics” of ECG Academy (European Vehicle Logistics Association).
In 2008 Guido Grimaldi was been appointed Commercial Manager of Grimaldi’s Short Sea lines.
Fredrik JOHANSSON
(fredrik.johansson@tillbergdesign.com)
Fredrik Johansson, has his academic foundation from London Guildhall University, Sir John Cass Faculty of Arts and also a Master’s Degree from Danmarks Designskole in Copenhagen.
After joining TILLBERG DESIGN in 1994, he has worked for and with a large number of engaging clients, mostly on a project management basis. Projects have spanned from Ocean Liners and Yachts to Ferries, including work for Stena Line, Scandlines, Color Line and Viking Line. On the cruise side, he was joint project manager during the entire planning and interior design of the Queen Mary 2.
He currently looks after a number of ongoing and prospective projects, as well as the majority of the company’s intenational contacts.
Simon JOHNSON
(simon.johnson@poferries.com)
Simons’ career has covered operational, sales and marketing roles inside and outside the travel industry.
Outside of travel, he has been the Commercial Director of the London Chamber of Commerce which lobbied and promoted London business.
In 2010, Simon was appointed as the Passenger Services Director for P&O Ferries and is responsible for onboard services, marketing,, and revenue management. Not adverse to overseeing change within the industry, he was one of the team who implemented a Fundamental Business Review of the business, which helped to turn round P&O’s fortunes in 1995. He led the introduction of a low-cost pricing model which has helped to boost web bookings to 70% of total bookings and has delivered award winning advertising campaigns for the company.
He oversaw the design and implementation of the customer delivery on the Spirit of Britain, launched in January 2011. He is preparing for the launch of the second ship, the Spirit of France, which will enter service in September 2011. He is now focusing on devising and implementing the onboard offer across the fleet of 22 vessels, which will appeal to the customer segments and help drive the commercial result.
He will become President of the Passenger Shipping Association Board in 2012 and is a Board member of the Institute of Travel and Tourism.
Petter KLOCK
(ptk@multi-maritime.no)
After graduating as Naval Architect from Bergen University, Petter Klock started his professional career with a couple of years in the design/engineering department at Aker Stord. Thereafter he went to the Ankerløkken Group where he had different technical positions for a periode of 12 years. At this time the Ankerløkken Group had great success with their stainless steel chemical tankers.
In 1984 Petter Klock founded the shipdesign and engineering company Multi Maritme AS and he has ever since been the CEO of this company. Multi Maritime AS can to-day look back on about 100 newbuildings of their design. The designs cover a wide range of ship types as Ice breakers, Coastal cargo vessels, Tankers, Offshore Service vessels and Small- and Medium Size car and passenger ferries.
Petter Klock is member of the board of directors of the Maritime Branch Association, a subsidiary of the Federation of Norwegian Industries.
Yiota KRASSAKOPOULOU
(krassakopoulou@attica-group.com)
Yiota Krassakopoulou is Legal Advisor for ATTICA GROUP, parent company of SUPERFAST FERRIES and BLUE STAR FERRIES. Since 2002 she advises the Group on EU affairs, competition law, corporate issue management, Government relations and strategic policy planning.
Yiota has also been advising the Greek Associations of Passenger Shipping on legislative and regulatory matters and she is often appointed as national industry representative in international and European fora and committees pertaining to legal and regulatory negotiations. Yiota has helped the industry to re-define its political and legislative position both with European Union institutions and Greek Authorities and she led the legal and political process leading to the liberalisation of the Greek cabotage market.
Member of the Athens Bar, Yiota practiced Law in Brussels and Athens since 1999, representing corporate, institutional and trade association clients in the fields of Competition, International Trade, Maritime, Corporate and Intellectual Property Law.
Axel MEYNKÖHN
(meynkoehn@wdr-wyk.de)
Born in 1958 at Kiel, married, 2 children. After being graduated 1983 as ”Schiffahrtskaufmann” with DAL-Deutsche Afrika-Linien at the Chamber of Commerce of Hamburg, he worked as Owner’s Representative for DAL/Woermann-Linie for 6 years in West and Central Africa (based at Abidjan and Douala). In 1990 he became Line Manager of a RTW-Conbulk Linerservice of DAL. In 1992 he joined Poseidon Schiffahrt at Lübeck, being in charge of Pool Controlling for the Finncarriers-Poseidon Baltic and North Sea Pool. From 1995 – 1998 he worked as General Manager for Unimar (Kühne&Nagel Group) at Hamburg. In 1998 Axel was appointed as CEO of WDR - Wyker Dampfschiffs-Reederei Föhr-Amrum GmbH, Wyk auf Föhr. The WDR, a 125 year old private shipping and transport company, is one of the biggest domestic ferry operators at the european northsea coast (annual avg. carryings 1,8 Mio Pax – 300.000 RoRo units). Apart from his duties as CEO, Axel is the chairman of the commission for Ferry & Passenger shipping of the German Shipowner’s Association (VDR) and member of different boards, among others, the board of the Standard London P&I Club.
Jaime OLIVER
(jaime@oliverdesign.es)
After graduating from college as a Naval Architect in 1964, Jaime Oliver, Chairman of Oliver Design, starts his business career creating his own small shipyard. He designed and built Custom wooden yachts up to 24 m with a modern design for that time and managing to deliver a total of 27 unique prototypes.
At the end of that period Jaime Oliver decided to concentrate entirely on the Architectural Design of ships offering his services directly to ship owners and shipyards around the world.
With the extensive experience gained during his 45 years of professional career, Jaime Oliver has consolidate and strengthen his position on the international market with numerous projects developed from Yachts to Cruise Ships, going through Passenger Ferries, River Cruises….etc. It has been granted with several awards with special mention to 4 Shippax for Passenger Ferries.
Oliver Design has expanded during his history and there are a total of 22 specialists working directly in the company aiming to continue developing creative projects with innovative ideas.
Spiros PASCHALIS
(paschalis@attica-group.com)
Spiros Paschalis is the Managing Director of SUPERFAST FERRIES, one of the two companies that constitute ATTICA GROUP, a leading maritime group based in Greece that operates 13 vessels in Adriatic and Greek domestic market.
He is also an Executive member of the Board of Directors of ATTICA GROUP and since February 2009, he is a member of the Board of Directors of the Association of Greek Passenger Shipping Companies (SEEN).
He entered the shipping industry in 1996 and pretty soon he managed to become one of the leading members of the other company-member of the Group, holding for almost 10 years the position of Authorized Director of BLUE STAR MARITIME S.A.
He has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the American College of Greece and he further extended his financial educational background in London where he graduated from Cass Business School (City University) holding an MBA degree in Finance.
Kell ROBDRUP
(kell.robdrup@dfds.com)
Kell Robdrup (49) Senior Vice President at DFDS Seaways. Kell holds 30 years of experience within the shipping and transport industry. He started his career in 1980 when he joined the agency of the Danish shipping company The East Asiatic Company in Copenhagen as a Shipping trainee. In 1992 he joined the A.P. Moller-Maersk Group and has over the years held a several senior management positions within shipping, ferry Ro/Ro Ro/Pax and intermodal related activities in Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland and Italy. Latest in Holland where Kell held the position as Managing Director for Norfolkline’s European shipping and terminal activities. In 2010 he returned back to Denmark where he, in connection with the DFDS’s acquisition of Norfolkline, joined DFDS Seaways as the overall responsibility for the company’s Ro/Ro and terminal activities in the North Sea.
Kell Robdrup has over the years attended numerous management training programs at London Business School and at IMD in Switzerland.
Edvard Thonstad SANDVIK
(edvard.sandvik@vegvesen.no)
Edvard Thonstad Sandvik is the team leader of the ferry team at the Norwegian Public Roads Administration. He holds a Masters Degree in Transport Economics from the University of Leeds, UK. He has earlier been a research Economist at Molde Research institute were his field were transport, and thereby also ferry operations. In the 90`s he worked in local Friends of the Earth groups with costal transport.
Keith SHERWOOD
(keith.sherwood@caruspbs.com)
Having started as a reservations agent for a UK regional airline in the late 70’s, Keith Sherwood has spent over 30 years in the travel and transportation sector.
His first involvement in the Ferry industry came during the early nineties when, as the Sales & Marketing Director of Revenue Technology Services, he conducted Revenue Management workshops, consultancy projects and pre-implementation studies for numerous operators including, Brittany Ferries, DFDS, Color Line and Silja Line.
In 1998 he joined Travellog which was then taken over by Anite who, at the time, also owned Carus. When Carus staged a MBO in 2008 Keith continued his role as Sales Manager and is responsible for the companies continued growth and expansion around the world.
Carus is a leading provider of booking, ticketing, back office and port automation solutions designed specifically for the ferry industry.
Bo-Lennart THORBJÖRNSSON
(blt@boltconsulting.se)
After gaining a B. Sc. in Ba and Econ at Lund University in 1972, he joined Lion Ferry AB, and was three years later promoted to Marketing Manager. In 1978, he became International Passenger Manager for Lion Ferry’s five European routes and markets.
In 1981, he moved to DFDS Helsingborg as Line Manager and became after two years Managing Director of DFDS in Hamburg, Germany, where restructuring led to the company becoming profitable again. Continuing with DFDS, at HQ Copenhagen, in 1984, he became Group Director and head of DFDS Seaways’ six European routes. In the year 2000, he was appointed CEO and Managing Director of DFDS Group Executive Board, again based in Copenhagen. After seventeen years working away from his family Monday-Friday, he decided to leave DFDS and instead work as a Management Consultant based in Halmstad. BOLT CONSULTING, founded in 2002 and fully owned by Bo-Lennart is, with his European senior advisory team a major management adviser to the ferry shipping industry. Bo-Lennart has also experience as chairman and board member of several European shipping and travel companies. Finally, Bo-Lennart is the co- founder and organiser of the annual “Ferry Shipping Conference” onboard.
Wilco VAN DER LINDEN
(wilco.vanderlinden@wartsila.com)
Since graduating as a naval architect in 1978 Wilco has been working as a designer, project engineer and commercial manager for various shipyards in the Netherlands. Notably he was the sales director at Dutch Shipyard Van der Giessen- De Noord in the 1990’s , when ferries were contracted for Scandinavian, Irish, German, British, Greek, and French Owners. Wilco was co-organiser of the Interferry 2003 conference in Rotterdam. Since he joined Wärtsilä in 2003, he has been the sales director for propulsion systems, area sales director North and Eastern Europe and sales director of the newly formed Ship Design group in Wärtsilä. He is a member of the Interferry Regulatory Committee , as well as the Norske Veritas Ferry Committee
Wilco is presently the director Business Development Cruise and Ferry, in which function he is responsible for collaborative design projects in Wärtsilä’s Special Vessel segment.
In particular, he works closely with Deltamarin’s Markku Kanerva on the joint parametric ferry design project that their companies have started in early 2010.
Carsten WIEBERS
(Carsten.Wiebers@kfw.de)
Dr. Carsten Wiebers is the Head of Ship Financing of KfW IPEX-Bank. His professional experience in shipping extends to over 12 years financing all type of maritime vessels with European content on a global basis. KfW IPEX-Bank is a state owned bank financing on a commercial basis with a shipping portfolio of approx. USD 20 billion. It holds a considerable ferry, ropax and roro ship portfolio. Previous to his work in ship financing Carsten Wiebers worked in KfW’s development finance since 1992 in various Asian and African countries and industry sectors.
Kari GRANBERG
(kari.granberg@vikingline.com)
Born in 1959 Jomala Aaland Island (Finland), married, 2 children. Started his shipping carrier at Sally Company in 1974 (Sally was one of three owner of Viking Line) worked different location Algot´s Yard, tankers and ferries. Graduated as a Marine Engineer from Aaland Technical School 1986. Employed at VIKING LINE since 1986 as engineer and chief engineer on different ferries, 1999 moved to head office involved in different new building and retrofit project, EU project Optipod and Compass, Site manager for Viking XPRS 2005-2008. Current Project Manager NB, VIKING LINE Marine Operation and New Building.
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