Conference
Programme
Chartering the Course to a Greener Future: Tackling Transportation’s Climate Challenge
Abu Dhabi, home to one of the world’s fastest growing commercial ports and logistics centres, is committed to being a leader in tackling issues of climate change. In fulfilling that role, it aims to identify best practice to offer a unique perspective on how best to tackle global warming challenges.
Pollution from transportation contributes a significant proportion of climate change gas emissions. It is estimated that over 23% of global carbon dioxide emissions derive from transport related activities. Moreover, according to the World Health Organisation, the transport sector is the fastest growing contributor to climate emissions, with the main drivers being urban land transport and freight operations.
In this context ambitious reductions are required over the next decade. The conference will seek to identify key solutions, as well as obstacles, to achieve a shift change in transport’s contribution to the climate change emergency, particularly focusing on the shipping and maritime sector.
The main focus of the conference will be ports and logistics; shipping; maritime technology; and financial and legal issues. The need for the transportation sector to remain an attractive industry for investment, and for stakeholders to remain competitive while making the transition to decarbonisation, will be underlying themes as well.
Registration and refreshments
Welcome Address by Yalda Hakim, Sky News
Inaugural Address by Trevor Pereira, Managing Director, The Maritime Standard
Keynote Address
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Capt. Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director & Group CEO, AD Ports Group |
Session 1: - Tackling Transportation's Contribution to Climate Change "Setting the course for a sustainable future"
This session explores how global and regional policies, financing strategies, emerging technologies, and AI-driven planning can advance the decarbonization of the maritime sector. It highlights key regulations, investment pathways, governance issues, and crosssectoral strategies to achieve net-zero goals in shipping and port ecosystems.
Topics will include:
- Navigating Maritime Environmental Regulations: From IMO to COP – Aligning Policy, Technology & Finance for Net-Zero Shipping Overview of IMO MEPC developments, EU ETS expansion to maritime, UNFCCC policy implications, and strategic actions for the global maritime sector.
- Carbon Pricing & Green Taxation in Shipping – Global Trends & Regional Impacts Analysis of emerging carbon pricing mechanisms and maritime emissions trading schemes, including their economic implications and readiness of industry stakeholders.
- Financing Maritime Decarbonization – Green Bonds, Climate Finance & PPP Models Unlocking ESG investment opportunities, multilateral funding, and public-private partnerships for clean shipping corridors, green ports, and alternative fuel infrastructure.
- Building Smart Ports & Maritime Logistics Through AI & Digital Innovation Leveraging AI for emissions forecasting, vessel routing, and port energy optimization. Exploring how digital twins and automation support sustainable maritime logistics.
- Geopolitical Implications & Global Governance in Maritime Climate Action How climate policy, trade regulations, and supply chain security are reshaping maritime transport, and the role of global governance in ensuring coordinated progress.
- Integrating Multi-Modal, Low-Carbon Trade Corridors with Maritime at the Core Creating seamless logistics through green shipping, electrified rail, and smart road transport. Regional case studies and infrastructure strategies enabling
decarbonized trade networks.
Session Chair -
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Abdulla Bin Damithan, CEO and Managing Director, DP World GCC |
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Capt. Abdulkareem Al Masabi, CEO, ADNOC Logistics And Services |
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Dr Ibrahim Al Nadhairi, CEO, ASYAD Shipping |
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Jonathan Keyes, Head of Sustainable Solutions Group – Middle East, ING |
Refreshment Break
Panel Discussion
Q&A Session
Lunch
Session 2: Ports and Logistics "Redesigning operations and technology for a greener future"
In this session, we will delve into the pivotal role of ports and logistics in driving sustainable transportation practices. Through a series of presentations, we will explore the initiatives undertaken by leading port operators and cargo-handling technology developers to reduce carbon emissions. We will also highlight developments in the short sea, logistics and ship recycling sectors.
Topics will include:
- Identifying ports’ contribution to climate change issues and what are the most effective remedial measures.
- Driving Sustainable Growth in Maritime Operations: Achievements and Future Strategies.
- Ensuring cargo handling systems are powered in a more environment-friendly way.
- How insurance solutions can drive climate change action in the transportation sector
- Multipurpose ports - tackling their specific challenges.
- Harnessing shoreside power and other technologies to reduce vessel emissions in port
- Building sustainability into logistics supply chains
- Short sea, coastal, and inland waterway freight - putting ports at the heart of sustainable multimodal networks.
- Finance: Investing to decarbonise port operations and accelerate progress to net zero across wider shipping value chains
Session Chair -
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Sanjay Mehta, Chairman, S One Capital |
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Capt. Ammar Mubarak Al Shaiba, CEO of Maritime Cluster & SAFEEN Group, AD Ports Group |
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Emile Hoogsteden, CEO, SOHAR Port & Freezone |
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Matthew Luckhurst, Managing Director, APM Terminals Bahrain B.S.C |
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Jonathan Andrews, CEO, Steamship Mutual |
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Antonio Campoy, CEO, Noatum Group, Logistics Cluster, AD Ports Group |
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Gonzalo Canseco, Director Research & Development, Onepoint5 & Former Senior Advisor to the Secretariat of the UNFCCC |
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Mohammad Jaber, Managing Director, DSV Air & Sea Abu Dhabi & COO, DSV Solutions Abu Dhabi |
Panel Discussion
Q&A Session
Refreshment Break
Session 3: Sustainable Shipping and Maritime “Navigating the operational, technological, legal and financial hurdles to change”
As the maritime industry grapples with the imperative of reducing emissions and embracing sustainability, this session delves into the intricate interplay of technological advancements, financial considerations, and legal frameworks. This session aims to identify pathways that could accelerate the transition toward a more environmentally responsible maritime future.
Topics will include:
- Ports & Container shipping: quick wins to reduce climate change impact while ensuring economic viability.
- Innovative propulsion systems: designing the carbon-neutral vessels of tomorrow.
- Navigating Legal Challenges in Decarbonizing Maritime Bunker Industry
- Evolution of alternative fuels: including methanol, hydrogen and biofuels
- Classification societies - what role must they play in bringing shipping’s carbon emissions down?
- Balancing operational efficiency and emissions targets
- Financial partnerships: reducing carbon emissions through collaborative strategies.
- Insights from the insurance sector: balancing risk and sustainability rewards
- Incentivizing climate action: the importance of fiscal and regulatory initiatives
- Getting legal clarity at a time of regulatory flux
- Sustainable financing models for port and transportation infrastructure
- Climate related financing - the global context
- Innovating Gas Carrier Design and Propulsion Technologies: A Focus on LNG Utilization & Next-Gen Gas Containment Systems
Session Chair -
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Rania Tadros, Managing Partner, Stephenson Harwood Middle East |
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Emil Pellicer, General Counsel, AD Ports Group |
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Nitin Mehta, COO, Lila Global |
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Carlos Guerrero Pozuelo, Global Market Leader for Gas Carriers & Tankers, Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore |
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Ravi Jawani, Partner, Fichte & Co |
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Farooq Zuberi, CFO, APM Terminals Bahrain B.S.C |
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Vijay Arora, Managing Director, Indian Register of Shipping |
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Hamed Fathi, Director & Head of Legal, IME Group |
Panel Discussion
Q&A Session
Summary and Closing Remarks
Networking Cocktails
One of the main reasons professionals attend a conference is to network. The Maritime Standard(TMS) Networking Cocktails is aimed to promote networking between delegates attending and can be an opportune time for helping your company and your career.
TMS Networking Cocktail evenings are immensely popular and are primarily focused on providing attendees with an opportunity to network with their counterparts as well as providing a platform for expanding business contacts.
You won’t find a better platform to form new business contacts and to develop existing connections than at The Maritime Standard Networking Cocktails, which has a more casual and relaxed vibe than the office – but still maintains a professional overtone. Business cocktail parties are a great opportunity to break out of your shell, whether you are looking to explore career options, expand your knowledge about a company and its employees, or simply to broaden your network of contacts. Take advantage of the various opportunities provided by TMS Networking Cocktails to maximize your professional goals.
