HMM - Experts & Thought Leaders

In a major push toward decarbonising maritime logistics, President Jae-young Byeon of the Ulsan Port Authority (UPA) and Chief Executive Sun-bae Hong of the Korea Maritime Cooperation Centre (KMC) jointly announced the successful conclusion of the “2nd Forum on the Commercialisation of Biofuels for Maritime Vessels,” held on 23 April at the Caradium Hall of the PJ Hotel in Seoul. The forum, hosted by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and co-organised by UPA and KMC, drew around 300 key stakeholders from across the shipping, energy, terminal, shipbuilding, and finance sectors. Marine biofuel supply chain The event underscored the increasing urgency of eco-friendly fuel adoption, following the IMO's approval The event underscored the increasing urgency of eco-friendly fuel adoption, following the International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s approval of mid-term greenhouse gas reduction measures. Positioning Ulsan Port as a pioneering biofuel supply hub in Northeast Asia was central to the agenda. UPA, Korea’s foremost port operator for energy and petrochemical logistics, emphasised its strategic role in building a stable marine biofuel supply chain aligned with tightening global regulations. UPA's commitment During the second session, UPA's Director Byeong-gu Kim unveiled comprehensive plans to promote marine biofuel adoption centred on Ulsan Port, highlighting the port's strategic advantages, including its world-class petrochemical infrastructure, extensive storage facilities, and specialised handling expertise. The presentation showcased UPA's commitment to developing the necessary facilities and operational frameworks to become Northeast Asia's premier biofuel bunkering destination. IMO environmental regulations The presentation showcased UPA's duty to developing the necessary facilities and operational frameworks "As IMO environmental regulations intensify, Ulsan Port Authority is strategically positioned to lead the transition to alternative fuels," stated UPA President Jae-young Byeon. "Marine biofuels represent a practical alternative that can be implemented immediately without requiring new vessel construction or retrofitting. UPA will continue to strengthen port-centred biofuel supply networks and create a competitive eco-friendly marine fuel market through our advanced infrastructure and technical expertise." Climate-friendly economic transition Chief Executive of the Korea Maritime Cooperation Centre (KMC), Hong Sun-bae, emphasised that "the strategic partnership between the shipping industry and the logistics sector has become more important than ever in this era of climate-friendly economic transition." During his address, Director Hong stressed, "We will continuously facilitate industry dialogue forums like this meeting to strengthen the competitiveness of the domestic shipping industry as international regulations approach, creating opportunities for growth." Key players in the maritime and energy sectors Expert sessions featured actionable insights and market intelligence from key players in the maritime and energy sectors: Key outcomes from the 83rd Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC83) by Team Pioneer Dae-jung Hwang of KMC Biofuel utilisation and demonstration cases by Manager Dae-sik Seo of HMM Current usage status and challenges of B100 biofuel by Manager Min-guk Jang of G-Marine Service Market outlook for marine biofuels by Chief Surveyor Jae-hoon Lim of DNV Case studies of biofuel applications for marine engines by Team Pioneer Jae-yup Seo of HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Global marine biofuel market trends and bunkering developments by Senior Manager Yul-kyung Hong of Hyundai Fuels The forum concluded with a dynamic panel discussion where UPA outlined its roadmap for transforming Ulsan Port into the region’s leading biofuel supply centre, backed by strategic investments and cross-sector partnerships.

National Maritime, in partnership with the University of Greenwich, will host a two-day conference and exhibition exploring sustainable practices and business opportunities in the maritime realm. The 4th Society & the Sea International Conference 2024 will take place on the 9th and 10th of September 2024 in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Maritime Greenwich. The theme of the conference is ‘To be truly blue, we must also think green: developing a sustainable blue economy needs both environmental protection & economic activities to go hand-in-hand.’ Green and blue agenda A dual-themed ‘green and blue’ agenda will explore the strategies required to develop a sustainable blue economy. The 'Green Waves’ conference stage will focus on energy transition and sustainability in the maritime and coastal arena.  The ‘Blue Invest’ conference stage will explore business opportunities and the societal benefits that can be leveraged through supply chain collaborations. Speaker lineup The conference will bring together industry pioneers and key political stakeholders to give insightful presentations The conference will bring together industry pioneers and key political stakeholders to give insightful presentations across a wide range of subjects to foster learning, inspiration, and conversations that matter. The speaker lineup includes the CEO and managing director of NatPower UK, Stefano Sommadossi, and Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen. Other key speakers include industry pioneers from the Celtic Freeport and Freeport East, the UK Marine Energy Council, Zero Emissions Ship Technology Association (ZESTAs), the Crown Estate, the Port of London Authority, BMT, Bureau Veritas, Lloyd’s Register, Marine Zero, OceanMind, SeaRegs Training, pH3 Capital, HMM (Europe) Ltd, Solis Marine Engineering and Formula E.  SOCSEA Charter 2024 Conferenced delegates will be invited to contribute to a new SOCSEA Charter 2024 that will help anchor stakeholders and strive towards a fairer, more inclusive, and sustainable approach to working in the blue economy. Peter Green, chief executive of National Maritime said, “The importance of the world's coasts and oceans for our collective future is undeniable. They also have a tremendous potential for boosting economic growth, employment, and innovation. However, increased stress on marine resources risks their depletion or even irreversible harm." Economic growth in maritime "Realising the full potential of our coasts and oceans and the growing ocean economy will require a responsible and sustainable approach to its economic development and strong collaboration and cooperation among all stakeholders." “We are proud to bring SOCSEAto the maritime industry and hope the conference supports our aims to increase economic growth in the maritime sector through collaborations and also encourages the sustainable clean-up of the sector by championing green initiatives. A prosperous and green shipping industry will contribute to a blue economy and as we say, a greener industry is equal to a blue economy.”  A responsible and sustainable approach Simon Goldsmith, Head of Strategic Sustainability, University of Greenwich, “We’re delighted to be hosting this event at our Greenwich campus and we look forward to welcoming pioneering experts and practitioners from across the globe to discuss the future of sustainability with the maritime industry." "We depend on our seas, oceans, and our maritime industries to meet many of our needs. Ensuring we act sustainability in our actions is essential and this conference will create the dialogue and precipitate actions to help.”  Net-zero Conference delegates will hear from those in leadership positions making progress on net-zero finding ways to effectively address the biodiversity crisis while adapting to the evolving set of global regulations.  Special guests include experts working on alternative marine fuels, vessel decarbonisation, new technology pathways, and energy solutions. The session topics include: New technologies Safety and Regulations FutureEnergy and Fuels (Clean Fuels and Energy Efficiencies) Funding(Early-stage funding and Green Finance) Energy Defence Freight Sustainability Environment Charity ball  On the evening of the 9th of September 2024, the SOCSEA24 Grand Maritime Ball will see 350 guests on board the WoodsFleet, Silver Sturgeon on the River Thames at Greenwich Pier. The charity ball will include an evening of entertainment including a silent auction.  Funds raised on the evening will support the Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s 200th anniversary. Sponsorship opportunities are available, and organisations can also book exhibition stands. 

KR has announced the successful installation of an onboard carbon capture system (OCCS) with purely domestic technology, and it will soon undergo internal verification testing. Risk assessment and application The project began in April 2023 as a collaborative effort with HMM, Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI), and PANASIA. As a result of this collaboration, the system was installed on the 2,200 teu container ship, HMM Mongla. KR conducted the risk assessment and application of relevant regulations in this OCCS project. Onboard carbon capture system (OCCS) OCCS applies a technology that captures, liquefies, and stores carbon dioxide from the exhaust gases The OCCS applies a technology that captures, liquefies, and stores carbon dioxide from the exhaust gases generated during the ship’s operation. This technology has the potential to be recognised by international organisations such as the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) as one of the most promising carbon reduction technologies, making it a proactive solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from ships in the future. Adoption of OCCS Amidst the growing global interest in carbon capture technology, this system is expected to demonstrate technological leadership in the international maritime industry. It is hoped that this will assist global maritime pioneers when they meet to discuss the possible future adoption of OCCS at the meeting of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee. Reducing GHGs A KR official stated, "Carbon capture technology is highly regarded as one of the effective measures for reducing greenhouse gases, drawing significant attention from the international community and the shipping industry." "Based on the experience and outcomes of this successful project, KR will make every effort to support the shipping industry in timely decarbonisation."