Speakers 2023
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.
Tor Øyvin AA
CEO Brødrene Aa
As one of five brothers in the second generation of the family founding and building up Brødrene Aa, Mr. Aa has deep knowledge and experience from the global fast ferry industry.
Mr. Tor Øyvin Aa is a Marine Engineer and has been CEO of Brødrene Aa since 1985.
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.
Jim ANDERSON
Director of Vessels Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited
Jim was appointed Director of Vessels in April 2016. Jim is a Chartered Engineer; a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects, the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology and the Institution of Engineering and Technology. Jim has over 35 years’ experience in the maritime industry; working in senior management roles for shipbuilders, ship owners and design consultants.
Dario BOCCHETTI
Head of Energy Saving, R&D and Ship Design Grimaldi Group
Dario Bocchetti (45,mechanical engineer) is currently Head of Grimaldi Group Corporate "Energy Saving Division" which has the function and task related to Energy, Performance, R&D, Innovation, Decarbonization and New Ships Design.
He is president of Energy Saving and Environment ALIS sub-committee, member of the executive committee of CSA (Clean Shipping Alliance), member of the board of MARTE Scarl, member of ESSF (European Sustainable Shipping Forum), technical advisor of Maltese delegation at IMO MEPC (Maritime Environmental Protection Committee), member of the executive committee GIA (Global Industry Alliance) at IMO (Intenational Maritime Association), member of the Board of Igoumenitsa Port Authority.
Christer BRUZELIUS
Senior Partner & Project Owner Gotland Tech Development AB / Rederi AB Gotland
As a senior partner with Gotland Tech Development, Christer drives innovation in shipping, enabling the industry to become more sustainable by advancing the technical solutions of tomorrow. Gotland Tech Development was launched in 2021 by Rederi Gotland to drive technical development by building partnerships with leading maritime companies. Christer Bruzelius has more than 20 years of experience in senior management positions, as CEO and MD, for shipping companies in Sweden, Finland, and Denmark. For 9 years, Christer was the CEO of Destination Gotland (part of the Rederi Gotland Group), which operates the RoPax ferry traffic between the island Gotland and mainland Sweden. During his time as a CEO, Christer led several initiatives to place the company at the forefront in sustainability, including adding two RoPax-ferries powered by natural gas and biogas to the fleet.
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.
Roberto CHIESA
Head of Business Development Marine GF Piping systems
Roberto Chiesa has over 18 years of experience in the maritime industry and a deep knowhow of piping onboard. Responsible for business development of the Cruise and Ferry industry within GF since 2012 and in constant contact with classification companies (IACS) to enlarge the application scope of thermoplastic piping systems onboard. During the last two decades, the supported ferry operators and shipyards around the globe in converting from traditional materials to new, corrosion-free piping technologies.
Robert CLIFFORD
Chairman Incat
Robert Clifford, founder and Chairman of the Incat group of companies has been credited with pioneering the world’s high-speed vehicle/passenger ferry industry.
Over more than five decades he has steered Incat to progress from boats to small commercial ferries through to very large ocean-going vehicle carrying wave piercing catamarans for which Incat is now world renowned.
The vessels delivered to date operate on marine distillate or LNG however Incat’s research team now focus on low emission fuels with the goal of zero emission vessels.
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.
Maria DEDE
Architect, Molindris+Associates
Maria Dede has been an associate architect at Molindris+Associates Architects+Designers since 2013. She graduated with honors from the Architecture Department of the University of Patras. She specializes in the interior design of marine as well as land projects, from concept to completion.
Sebastian EBBING
Technical Advisor Climate, Marine fuels, Innovation and Funding German Shipowners’ Association
As Technical Advisor at German Shipowners'Association, Sebastian Ebbing provides profound technical expertise to the ongoing regulatory developments on EU and IMO-Level.
With his background in nautical science, marine engineering and international maritime management he is dedicated on regulatory climate-protection affairs, the maritime energy transition incl. the development of alternative climate-neutral fuel strategies, digitalization and innovation projects in shipping.
Sebastian Ebbing´s technical expertise is accompanied by experience in fleet performance management within a globally operating shipping company.
The German Shipowners' Association (VDR) is a leading professional association within the German business community. It was founded in 1907 by the regional shipowners’ associations in order to enable them to have common and uniform representation of their interests. Today, the VDR represents the German maritime shipping segment not only in Berlin and Bonn, but also in Brussels, London, Geneva and at global level. With its over 150 member companies from different shipping sectors, the association represents the German shipping industry, which currently boasts the world’s fifth-largest merchant fleet. As an employers’ association, it conducts collective bargaining and social partner negotiations.
Sebastian Ebbing is founding- and board member of the “Research Institute for Innovation and Sustainable Logistics” situated at Jade University of Applied Science, where he is lecturing on Maritime Technologies with special focus on climate neutral shipping and alternative propulsion technologies.
Nicklas EBERSSON
Marketing Manager Cargo Ports of Stockholm
Nicklas is responsible for the commercial activities within the group. His main focus is attracting more shipping lines, cargo flows and intermodal connections to the various ports within the Ports of Stockholm Group.
Prior to joining Ports of Stockholm, Niklas worked in several different managerial positions within the freight forwarding industry, at different locations across the globe.
Anne-Marie EKLUND LÖWINDER
Leading IT security expert
Anne-Marie Eklund Löwinder is one of Sweden’s leading experts on information and IT security. In 2013 Anne-Marie was the first Swede to be inducted into the Internet Hall of Fame. For almost 20 years she was the Chief Information Security Officer at The Swedish Internet Foundation. Currently, she is the founder and CEO of her own company Amelsec.
She is a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences (IVA), Section XII, Information Technology. She is also a board member of the Swedish Law and Informatics Research Institute (IRI), the Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket), the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket), the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), and the Irish top level domain registry authority, .IE. Anne-Marie is also a member of the information security council of the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB). She is appointed by the Swedish Ministry of Infrastructure as a member of the Swedish National Digitalisation Council.
In 2010 Anne-Marie was appointed and still serves as Trusted Community Representative by ICANN, in the role as Crypto Officer, where she participates in the generation of DNSSEC signing keys for the internet root zone. She is also a member of The Registry Services Technical Evaluation Panel (RSTEP), a technical team under the GNSO (Generic Name Supporting Organization).
Anne-Marie has a degree in Computer Science from the University of Stockholm.
Mia ELG
R&D Manager Deltamarin
Mia has 17 years of experience with various ship energy efficiency and machinery design related tasks. Mia Elg's current role as R&D manager is related to leading the development of Deltamarin's new products and services, managing the larger joint industry development projects and also consulting customers. Mias areas of expertise include: Thermal engineering, product development and productization of different energy- and environmental services, energy balance calculation, energy flow simulation and environmental impact assessment. In addition to this, she has led the development of zero emission ship machinery in several projects. Mia has a Master's degree in Thermodynamics. At the side of the work at Deltamarin Mia is also committing doctoral studies at Aalto University in the field of energy efficiency in marine applications. As a "high level task" both at Deltamarin and in the studies, Mia develops an advanced energy efficiency analysis method, suitable for maritime and offshore domain.
Keith GREENFIELD
CEO Wightlink
Keith Greenfield was appointed the CEO of Wightlink in June 2016. Previously he was Managing Director of the highly successful Heathrow Express rail company and is a chartered engineer with former senior roles in aviation and mobile telecoms. Keith brings to Wightlink, a strong track record and passion for customer service and safety management.
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.
Kevin HOBBS
CEO Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited
Kevin joined CMAL in April 2016, bringing 30 years’ experience in the port, maritime logistics and shipping industries. As director at Port of Milford Haven, a leading UK port which handles over 30 million tonnes of cargo annually, he was responsible for commercial and operational management. Between 2008 and 2011, Kevin worked as a specialist consultant, providing expert advice to maritime and shipping clients, including Dublin Port Company, Peel Ports and Stena Line. In 1996, he founded Seatruck Ferries Group, an Irish Sea ferry service specialising in freight, which he guided from start-up to a profitable business. As CEO and managing director, he oversaw an investment portfolio of eight new build freight ferries and five pre-owned ferries.
Mike HOWIE
Regional Sales Manager Trelleborg Marine and Infrastructure
Mike Howie joined Trelleborg in February 2022 as Regional Sales Manager for Docking and Mooring. With extensive experience in automated mooring systems, he began working on automated mooring products in 2003 as a designer and developer, during which he spent much of his time in ports working on prototypes for commercial, ship-to-ship and military applications.
Mike's role has since expanded to encompass product development, implementation challenges and solutions analysis, front-line sales and market entry strategy development, and the management of an automated mooring intellectual property portfolio.
Before transitioning into automated mooring, he had extensive experience in the wood processing industry, primarily automating hazardous tasks previously performed manually.
Mike holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and an executive MBA.
Tuomas HÄKKINEN
Account Director of Ferry and RoPAX business NAPA
Tuomas Häkkinen is the Account Director of Ferry and RoPax business at NAPA. With a Master's degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from Aalto University, he started working for NAPA in 2012 as a technical consultant, moving on to project delivery and service management before becoming the account director in 2022. During his long 10 years of experience in the maritime software and data services business, Tuomas has worked closely with both large and small cruise and ferry owners and operators – often acting as an extended arm of their Operational Safety team, and consulting and advising them on a day-to-day basis to manage ship stability and reduce operational risks from onboard as well as from the shoreside. Thus, goes without saying, Tuomas is a seasoned expert in anything and everything around Ship Stability and Safety Planning and Management.
Marcus HÖGBLOM
Vice President of Global Sales ABB Marine & Ports
Marcus Högblom is heading the Passenger ship segment ABB Marine & Ports, the leading supplier of electric propulsion systems for merchant vessels. Joining ABB Propulsion product business unit in 2009 Mr Högblom has been working with building ABB successful track record for electrical propulsion starting with Azipod propulsion but now also extending to cover next generation integrated solutions for power convection, automatization, digitalization, energy storage and service offering.
An experienced marine professional with a long experience in management, business development, project management, sales and marketing and. Mr Högblom holds a degree of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from Helsinki Institute of applied sciences.
Prior to joining ABB Marcus had a 14 year long carrier in the field of fire safety with Marioff Corporation and United Technologies where he held various positions the most recent as General Manager for the Marine and Offshore unit.
Nikias IOANNIDIS
Business Development LMG Marin
The connection to sea and to the ferry world started at a very young age for me.
My "Greek summers" always included good Cycladic time...and ferries always were the first step to the Islands.
30 years on, I managed to turn this childhood affair into a job that is also a passion.
At LMG Marin I am mostly in charge of identifying markets, developing relationship with partner shipyards and ultimately to promote the LMG Marin brand in the ferry industry.
Before stepping in to the ship design industry I worked for 7 years within the line management of French container carrier CMA CGM.
Kaushik JADHAO
Business Development Manager Shell Marine
A Maritime, Logistics & Supply Chain professional with over 30 years’ experience in Shipping, Ports & Terminals.
Currently he is the Business Development Manager within Shell Marine’s decarbonisation global team and is leading commercial activities within the Europe region. He has been involved in decarbonisation within the marine sector for the last 3years, managing various projects across low-carbon fuels, electrification, and CCS.
Prior to this role, he has been leading the Maritime Value program within Europe-Africa region focusing on digitalisation, innovation, and energy efficiency within shipping.
Prior to joining Shell, Kaushik spent 10 years as a management consultant in the ports and terminals sector working on various optimization and business analysis projects. He has a master’s degree from Rotterdam School of Management in Maritime Economics and Logistics with a dissertation focusing on “Emissions Trading in Shipping” (2006).
His passion for Maritime comes from his sea career which lasted for 13 years before deciding to pursue higher studies and moving ashore.
Jaak KAABEL
CEO Kihnu Veeteed
Jaak Kaabel was appointed as CEO of Estonian ferry company Kihnu Veeteed from 1 January 2023. Jaak has a strong track-record in Estonian ferry industry, with leading positions in TS Laevad and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications. In addition to this comes experience from various board positions in the shipping industry. He holds a master´s degree in International Shipping Law.
Leanna LAKES
Operations Director Red Funnel Group
Leanna Lakes joined Red Funnel as Operations Director in February 2020, having spent over 20 years in the maritime industry at both a national and international level.
Leanna’s career began as a deck officer cadet with P&O Cruises. She is a qualified Master Mariner with a demonstrated history of working onboard high-speed craft and ro-ro vessels.
In 2012 Leanna transferred her skill set to shore based appointments. She has worked with several ferry operators leading on operational management, learning and development, cultural improvement, compliance, and risk management.
Alongside her role as Operations Director at Red Funnel, Leanna is an active member of the UK Chamber of Shipping and the Marchant Navy Training Board. Leanna also provides strategic support to Solent University as a member of the Solent Business School Advisory Board.
Leanna is committed to serving the British shipping industry, improving its safety culture, and championing the maritime industry as a professional career choice for all.
Arnaud LE POULICHET
Arnaud is Engineering and Maintenance Director since 2010.
He joined Brittany Ferries in 2007 as Superintendent.
Prior to that, he worked as an engineer, project manager and production manager in shipbuilding and ship repair yards in France after a career as an officer in the Merchant Navy.
Arnaud is a graduate of the Ecole Nationale Supérieure Maritime, has a diploma as a deck and engine officer .He also has a marine surveyor diploma and an MBA in management.
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.
Christophe MATHIEU
CEO Brittany Ferries
- Born in 1968 in France. Married 2 children
- Master degree in Business Administration at University of Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne
International Executive Program INSEAD Fontainebleau 2005
- Joined Brittany Ferries in 1992 in Plymouth (UK). Various roles in UK including accounting, operations and marketing.
- In 1997, responsible of setting up the Revenue Management department.
- In 1999, transfer to BF headquarters in Roscoff (France) as Group Business Controller.
- In 2006, promoted to Strategic Planning Director.
- In 2009, promoted to the Executive Board, as Deputy CEO, in charge of Strategic and Commercial Affairs.
Responsible for Group Revenue (Pax, freight, onboard sales), fleet strategy and port negotiations.
- Since April 2016 : Chief Executive Officer
- Chairman of Interferry since October 2020
Pierre MATTEI
CEO and Owner of Corsica Ferries group
Graduated at ESSEC Business school Paris and holds a Master in Econometrics.
He spent all is career in the group. Started in the Finance department, then CFO and CEO since the late nineties.
He became owner of the company founded by Pascal Lota in 2017 together with members of the top Management.
Axel MEYNKÖHN
CEO Wyker Dampfschiffs-Reederei Föhr-Amrum GmbH
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).
Apostolos MOLINDRIS
Architect, Founder and Director, Molindris+Associates Architects+Designers
Apostolos Molindris is the director and principal architect of Molindris+Associates Architects+Designers, an award-winning studio that specializes in the interior architecture and design of private and chartering yachts, cruise ships, ferry boats and high-speed vessels.
Their awards include the Lloyd’s List Greek Shipping Award for Seajets World Champion Jet (Ship of the Year 2019), the Lloyd’s List Greek Shipping Award for Levante Ferries (Passenger Line of the Year 2019), the Shippax Award for Levante Ferries RoPax Fior di Levante (Total Design & Company Branding Award 2015), the Shippax Award for Attica Group RoPax Blue Star Patmos (Exceptional Design Qualities Award 2012), the Shippax Award for ANEK LINES RoPax Elyros (Best Ferry Conversion 2009) and the Boats Show Best Refit Award in 2001 for the legendary M/Y Christina O, among others.
Apostolos Molindris founded the studio in 1995. He previously worked for AMK Architecture & Design, specializing in marine design for 10 years. There he gained all the necessary experience and know-how. Prior to that, during his architecture studies at AUTH, from which he graduated with honors, he worked for Tzonos-Hoepel-Hoepel Architects.
The Molindris+Associates team consists of 6 architects and interior designers, and is supported by an excellent group of consultants, such as naval architects, mechanical engineers, visual artists, graphic designers and highly experienced superintendent engineers.
Molindris+Associates clients include Attica Group, for which they have been the exclusive interior architects for more than 26 ships since 1995, Levante Ferries, Golden Star Ferries, Seajets, ANEK Lines, Mano Maritime and many more.
John Roger NESJE
Sales Director SEAM
John Roger Nesje is an experienced senior manager with more than 20 years within the maritime industry.
His early experience is from the Vik-Sandvik Group (Ship Design) as a Project Manager and Power System Designer.
Subsequently he joined the company Scandinavian Electric Systems, as a co-owner, and was a key in developing the company, technology and organisation, from a handful of people to a significant global player. This company was acquired by Rolls-Royce in 2008.
He stayed with Rolls-Royce for close to 10 years, in various senior positions. The latest positions were as Site Director for the Rolls-Royce Marine Godvik site as well as the Global Vice President Systems and Electrical, Automation & Control Sales, Rolls-Royce Marine.
Late 2017 he took the position as CEO, co-founder and co-owner within Scandinavian Reach Technologies, and built up the company, organisation and technology, together with the other owners, employees and stakeholders, to a global player and front runner in digitizing the maritime industry.
Present position is as Sales Director within SEAM, aiming to bring to the maritime world the last technology for optimalization and for the most efficient maritime operations, with insight, experience and know-how.
Judit NYÁRI
Doctoral Candidate at Aalto University School of Science and Technology
Judit Nyári is a Doctoral candidate at Aalto University, Finland, in the research group on energy conversion. She holds a double master's degree from Aalto University and KTH, Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm. Her doctoral research focuses on methanol production from renewable electricity and captured carbon dioxide via hydrogenation. Her previous publications focused on the techno-economic analysis of large-scale renewable methanol production and the underlying reaction kinetics' effect. Her current research investigates the RoPax passengers' willingness to pay for low-carbon fuels and how demographics, preferences, and awareness about climate mitigation tools influence it. The research was carried out with support from Viking Line, DFDS, and Stena Line.
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.
Alberto PORTOLANO
Ship Design Manager – Grimaldi Group
After graduated, I have been employed as apprentice for Perseveranza s.p.a and in Augustea spa in technical management
In 2010 I moved to Kuwait to work with GlobChem Group Kuwait WLL as project engineer in chemical cleaning project for Eni Saipem booster station, after that I came back in marine business joining Ship Surveys and Service srl as tanker technical manager assistant.
At the end of 2011 I joined Grimaldi Group in new born department “Corporate Energy Saving”, following aspects of fuel/energy consumption as monitoring, implementation and evaluation for over 120 ro ro vessels. I have been project manager for scrubber retrofit and propulsion upgrade projects. Actually I’m responsible for Ship Design and Sustainability in the Energy Saving R&D and Ship Design Department of Grimaldi Group.
Roberto PREVER
CEO NAOS Ship and Boat design
Through several experiences as draftment and boatbuilding during the Faculty studies, he was initially employed at Maierform Trieste once graduated in Naval Architecture (Msc.)
In 1993 founded NAOS Ship & Boat Design, starting as responsible of CAD design, Finite Analisys, Solid modelling, Computational fluid dynamic.
Since 1993 the years he made several basic design of vessels, and became known for hullform design, Naval Architecture and Hydrodynamic, as well as basic design for Ro Ro and Ro Pax vessels.
He is presently the CEO of NAOS, with Head office in Trieste with a staff of 12 Naval Architects and Marine Engineers.
He is partner of ScandiNaos in Sweden, and founded a branch office in Barcelona in 2016. Together with the affiliate company “Anemos” in Split, the staff reach a total number of abt 30. Project manager for several new ship design, ranging from 300 to 30.000 GT, but mostly known for the Visentini series and the Stora Enso series.
Johan ROOS
Director of Regulatory Affairs, Interferry
Johan Roos is the Director of Regulatory Affairs for the trade association Interferry. He holds a Masters Degree in Environmental Sciences from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Between 2011 and 2019 he ran the Interferry Brussels office and currently oversees all of Interferry’s involvement with the International Maritime Organization and the European Union. Johan works in close relation with the European Community Shipowners Association, the International Chamber of Shipping and other maritime interest groups.
Matteo SARTORI
Mr. Matteo Sartori has a Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Università degli Studi di Trieste. He now plays a leading role in Wartsila’s Integrated System & Solution business as Senior Expert, System Development & Design, responsibility for designing the optimal solution for specific vessel projects according to the exact customer needs and operating profile.
Matteo’s work looks at the total propulsion system including – power, propulsion, electric drive, aftertreatment and fuel and gas storage systems. As part of this Matteo engages early with the customer to consult and optimise the final result.
The mechanical engineering background and experience gained working with key projects with high level of integration and interaction with different entities involved in the process, give him the capability to expertly define and propose the different solutions to improve vessel efficiency and to reduce the emission footprint, always looking at the best compromise between OpEx, CapEx and emission regulations.
Stefan SCHEJA
Marketing Manager Ferries and Cruises Ports of Stockholm
Stefan is responsible for the passenger segment business. His main focus is to develop and attract more passengers to Stockholm, in close cooperation with the ferry and cruise industry.
Before joining Ports of Stockholm 5 years ago, he worked in the shipping and ferry segment. Stefan has a Bachelor of Science degree in Nautical Science.
His prior positions include 16 years as captain on-board passenger vessels/ferries for one of the largest ferry companies in the Baltic Sea.
Massimo SOPRANO
Ships Program Director KiwiRail
Massimo joined Project iRex at KiwiRail in Wellington – New Zealand in 2019 leading the Ships Programme that is responsible for the design and build of the new rail enabled ro-pax ferries for Interislander.
Massimo is a Master Mariner with more than 10 years of experience at sea on tanker, dry-cargo and passenger ships. Moving to shore based management positions saw him involved in new build projects and managing marine operations, safety, environment and security with some of the world’s leading cruise lines - including P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, and Silversea based in Australia and the USA.
In Australia he also worked as Marine and Safety Consultant for the Sydney Ferries Reform Taskforce. Massimo have had the pleasure of holding a number of other senior management roles which included Director of Thompson Clarke Shipping, General Manager of ASP Crew Management Services and Operations Manager of ASP Ship Management.
In 2008 he joined Nakheel Asset Management and made the move to Dubai to oversee the development and implementation of the waterways management system at the Palm Jumeirah coastal development. Following his time in Dubai he returned to Australia and, from 2010 to 2019, was working for the Spirit of Tasmania ferries in a senior management position responsible for planning and implementing large marine projects, including the refurbishment of SPIRIT OF TASMANIA I & II”, and Head of Strategic Projects overseeing plans for vessel replacement and port infrastructures.
Pino SPADAFORA
Senior Director Marine Commercial RINA
Pino Spadafora currently serves in the marine sector as RINA's Global Commercial Senior Director and has been living and working in Northern Europe for 17 years to continually enhance the profile of the group throughout the region. His current responsibilities encompass group strategy and external corporate development, both commercially and technically.
In terms of group strategy, he is specifically responsible for the rollout across business streams into a global plan and ensuring consistency with the company's vision and mission. Working closely with RINA's CEO and individual business streams, his role is to identify potential partners with whom to collaborate to grow and build the business.
Pino has acquired a wealth of experience in fleet management principles, classification services, advisory services, project management, key account management and customer service, including customer retention and satisfaction. He also has excellent knowledge and technical experience of all aspects of the marine industry, including environmental and regulatory matters.
Peter STÅHLBERG
Managing Director Wasaline
Peter Ståhlberg is a master mariner with a long background in the marine industry. He graduated from Maritime School in 1986, combining his studies in Merchant School and got his Maritime Officers licence and Diploma in Business and Administration the same year.
Peter Ståhlberg was appointed as Fleet Manager at NLC Ferry in April 2013 and became Managing Director in December 2014.
Prior to becoming a landlubber in 2013, Peter sailed 22 years as Captain in all waters on Passenger and Cruise ships, with the speciality of the Captaincy in Polar waters with 5 seasons in Antarctica, and a few seasons in the Arctic and Alaska. Peter has also been involved in many new projects with new shipping lines and commencement of new routes, combined with rebuilding and newbuilding projects in the Cruise Industry.
Peter lives in Vaasa, Finland, and is now back in his hometown after many years abroad. Now acting as Managing Director on the same route between Vaasa – Umeå as he started as a deck boy in 1980. Peter has a great passion to develop the traffic and concept to an own niche in the market and to lead the team ashore and on board with the say – “talent is something – attitude is everything”.
Roger TRINTERUD
Sales Director passenger segment Kongsberg Maritime
As Sales Director, Roger Trinterud leads the passenger segment within Kongsberg Maritime. He has a long career in the company where he started as a service engineer in 1996, worked as a project manager for conversions, sold bridge equipment in Asia and worked as a regional sales manager both in Europe and based in Singapore.
Roger was part of the team, establishing Kongsberg as a strong supplier in the Megayacht market, and has the last years driven initiatives to introduce technology derived from the autonomous development, such as automatic docking, motion prediction and situational awareness, into the passenger market.
Originally educated ships electrician, and with a degree in Mechatronics, and later a Master of Management from BO Norwegian Business School.
Roger enjoy downhill skiing in the wintertime, occasional woodworking, and he hope to finish the rebuild of his Italian Motorcycle this summer.
David TYLER
Commercial Director Artemis Technologies
David is a co-founder and board member of Artemis Technologies, a global leader in transformative clean maritime solutions based in Belfast, UK. David was instrumental in the creation of the Belfast Maritime Consortium, led by Artemis Technologies, including securing of a £33m grant from UK Research and Innovation’s Strength in Places Fund to develop the company’s transformative eFoiler® technology and launch the world’s first 100% electric foiling passenger ferry.
David is Chair of Maritime UK’s Regional Council, a member of the UK Department for Transport’s Maritime Council which was established in 2023 to provide the top level of governance across all themes and drive delivery of the UK Government’s Maritime 2050 recommendations, and a member of Operation Zero working groups, a UK government initiative launched during COP26 with the mission to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission vessels for offshore wind operations and maintenance in the North Sea's wind farms.
A former international hockey player and law graduate from the University of Birmingham, David has a wealth of experience in Sales and Marketing. Having previously worked at IMG and Havas Media, David founded Tyler Sports Management in 2009, representing an impressive portfolio of clients including Mo Farah, Mike Brown, Iain Percy OBE, Christine Ohuruogu MBE, and Allan Wells MBE. After Tyler Sports Management was acquired in 2014, he joined Artemis Racing to lead the Swedish America’s Cup team’s commercial programme, before co-founding Artemis Technologies. David is also a founding trustee of the Andrew Simpson Foundation.
Wilco VAN DER LINDEN
Advisor Ferry Industry REGENT
Wilco van der Linden graduated as a naval architect in The Netherlands in 1978. He held various design, managerial and commercial positions in the Dutch and international maritime business. His forte is the Ferry industry, the efficient transportation of passengers and goods by ropax- and cruise vessels and high speed ferries.
As the commercial director of Giessen-de Noord and in Wärtsilä Marine, he contributed to the newbuilding and equipping of many successful ships. From 2012 till 2020 Wilco held the position of Board Director at Interferry, and he presented his companies as a speaker in several Shippax Ferry conferences.
Today he acts in the Advisory Board of REGENT, the US-based company building all-electric Seagliders for fast, safe and low-cost coastal transportation. His job in REGENT’s Business Development team is to convince Ferry Owners and Operators of the complementary business what these crafts can bring to their operations.
Seagliders are wing-in-ground-effect craft that operate close to the sea surface, therefore considered boats rather than aircraft by IMO. However Seagliders travel up to 160 nautical miles at a speed of 160 knots with 12 passengers or 1600k payload. Larger versions up to 100 passengers and flying at higher speeds will follow, given battery developments.
In the High Speed session of the Shippax Ferry Conference 2023, Wilco will highlight the tremendous progress REGENT has made in only 2 years time with customers in the airline as well as ferry business, prime investors, Class andregulatory authorities such as Bureau Veritas and US Coast Guard. The plan is to have commercial Seagliders operating in 2025.
Giosue’ VEZZUTO
Executive Vice President RINA Marine
Giosue’ Vezzuto, naval architect and marine engineer, joined RINA in 1997, after having worked in a ship repairing yard of the Italian Navy.
Initially involved in the classification dept. for both ships in service and new buildings, subsequently he took up the responsibility of the fire protection drawings approval team, at the RINA engineering department in Italy. During this period, he regularly attended meetings at IACS WG/FP, ISO, and IMO.
He then moved to the RINA Marine Operations, where he developed his entire career: from being the Deputy Manager of branch office in Napoli (Italy), to Head of Singapore Office and then Country Manager for South-East Asia. He has been RINA Regional Manager for North Europe based in Rotterdam, and subsequently Regional Manager for Asia, based in Shanghai and in Singapore.
Since 2018, Giosue’ moved back to RINA HQ in Genoa, initially taking different roles at corporate level, and then, since the end of 2019, he took the overall responsibility of RINA Marine.
Roger VIMME
Sales Director & Head of Ferry Telenor Maritime
Joining the Ferry Business department of Telenor Maritime in 2014, Roger Vimme has been at the forefront of building an extensive portfolio of communication services for an international ferry fleet of more than 100 vessels. He has contributed to evolving Telenor Maritime’s business from mobile-centric connectivity to its current digital offering.
His prime passion is how different stakeholders can cooperate and innovate by removing existing barriers for digitalisation, thereby strengthening the whole ferry industry and building value for all parties. He is an experienced maritime business professional with a comprehensive career in management, business development, and sales.
Mike WAKE
International Representative Austal
Mike Wake studied Naval Architecture, qualifying in 1975 from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. He worked intially with Swan Hunter Shipbuilders at the time when they were making the transition from building tankers to the “through-deck cruisers” Illustrius and Ark Royal (politically they were not allowed to be called aircraft carriers). This was followed by a time as a writer with “The Motor Ship” magazine before becoming editor of the journals of the Royal Intitution of Naval Architects, including “The Naval Architect”, “Warship Technology”, “Small Craft”, “Ship and Boat” and “Shiprepair and Conversion Technology”. He started working with Austal in 1994 at the time when the company was planning to enter the fast car ferry market. He has worked on numerous fast ferry projects ranging from small 20m catamarans to 128m trimarans. He is a shareholder in the company and is a roaming international representative.
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.
Petter ÖHMAN
Sales Manager ABB Marine & Ports
Petter Öhman is a Sales Manager at ABB Marine & Ports, with responsibility for Propulsion System sales in the ferry and navy markets. He has a master's degree in Naval Architecture from Aalto University in Finland. Now based in Amsterdam, Petter’s professional background is in ship design and engineering at shipyards that have built unique and complex vessels. Joining ABB in 2021, Petter brings both a design house and ship building perspective to the increasingly integrated propulsion system design, construction, and operation of vessels.
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