The 1st SAFETY4SEA Dubai Forum took place on Wednesday 20th of November 2024 at the Sofitel Dubai Downtown, Dubai, UAE, where the latest maritime trends were put under the microscope by experts and discussed with a view of improving safety operations and sailing towards a sustainable future.
The event was organized by SAFETY4SEA with The American Club, Mintra, and SQEMARINE as lead sponsors.
Other sponsors of the event included: Arcadia Shipmanagement Co. LTD, Blue Planet Shipping Ltd, Capital-Executive Ship Management Corp., Capital Gas Ship Management Corp., Capital Shipmanagement, DNV, Eastern Mediterranean Maritime Limited (EASTMED), Latsco Marine Management Inc., NAPA, RISK4SEA, and SEAFiT.
Supporters of the event included the following organizations: International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA), Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS) Middle East Branch, Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST), YoungShip Cyprus, The Nautical Institute UAE Branch, and WISTA UAE. Finally, Robban Assafina and Worldoils acted as the event’s media sponsors.
Apo Belokas, Managing Editor of SAFETY4SEA, opened the event with a warm welcome to all attendees, extending appreciation to the sponsors and contributors for their invaluable support. He highlighted the pressing challenges facing the maritime sector, particularly the slow pace of adaptation to necessary changes. Emphasizing the importance of collaboration, he urged industry leaders to join forces in addressing these challenges, advocating for innovative solutions to better support both seafarers and shore-based personnel. Additionally, he underscored the importance of signing the SAFETY4SEA Petition, which aims to enhance connectivity at sea.
Valentinos Steliou, Innovation Director/ MD Cyprus, Mintra, delivered a keynote speech on how the maritime industry is leveraging technological advancements in competence management and digital learning to prepare for the future. He emphasized the pivotal role of specialized training and upskilling in equipping the workforce with not just technical skills but also a resilient mindset capable of thriving in a rapidly changing environment. Valentinos Steliou underscored that while technology serves as an enabler, the true driving force behind progress is the people—the adaptable, curious, and innovation-oriented workforce ready to harness technology for a forward-looking future.
Session #1: Loss prevention, risk and security management
During the first panel discussion, Capt. Zarir Irani, Business and Event Lead – ICS Middle East; Christopher Kirton Managing Director, International Tanker Management; and Capt. Mohit Batra, Vice Chair, The Nautical Institute Middle East Branch, shared their insight on the latest developments regarding maritime safety, and current risks and challenges that the is facing, especially in these times of geopolitical conflict. Additionally, Harilaos Petrakakos, Senior Consultant in Marine Accident Investigations and Shipbuilding projects, P&P Marine Consultants Inc., delivered a presentation on the critical role of preventive maintenance (PM) in enhancing safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance in maritime operations. He discussed how PM minimizes risks, reduces costs, and extends asset lifespans by proactively addressing potential issues before they escalate.
Apo Belokas, Managing Editor, SAFETY4SEA, provided an in-depth overview of Port State Control (PSC) trends and best practices. His presentation covered essential topics such as PSC background checks, research, and intelligence, along with key trends for 2024. He also analyzed MLC CIC trends, identified challenging ports, and shared practical PSC preparation guidelines. Furthermore, Apo Belokas pointed out that an automated Port Call Risk Assessment (POCRA) system can help operators be better prepared for inspections, thus ensuring both higher standards and lower detention rates.
Session #2: Experience transfer from regulatory developments
Octavio Arturo Rangel Palm, Head of Dubai Regional Office – General Directorate of Merchant Marine, Panama Maritime Authority, delved into the principles of Minimum Safe Manning (MSM) and its critical role in ensuring safe and efficient ship operations. He emphasized key factors like safe navigation, mooring, cargo operations, medical care, and emergency duties, highlighting the need for specialized training for various vessel types. The presentation also addressed the importance of adequate crew levels to maintain safety and security, ensuring the master and engine officers are not overburdened.
Capt. Manoj Tyagi, Marine Manager / ADPA / ACSO, TOMINI SHIPPING, discussed ballast water management as a critical measure to prevent the spread of aquatic species through ship ballast tanks. He highlighted the importance of compliance with international standards, which involve either mid-ocean ballast water exchange or treatment using approved systems. Additionally, Capt. Manoj Tyagi also drew attention to the need for regular monitoring and adherence to established procedures to ensure environmental protection.
Panel #3: Human factors
Valentinos Steliou, Innovation Director/ MD Cyprus, Mintra, highlighted the critical role of seafarers in navigating the energy transition and addressing the knowledge gap it creates. By adopting role-based, self-directed, and adaptive learning approaches and utilizing advanced educational technologies, the industry can empower seafarers to meet future challenges confidently. His presentation illustrated that decisions made today on training and development will shape both the success of individual operations and the industry’s future.
Capt. Abhay Nimbalkar, CEO, Greenfield Marine Technologies, emphasized the importance of seafarer engagement in enhancing safety culture. He discussed the role of incentives, such as rewards and recognition, in promoting safe behavior on board. Nimbalkar also highlighted the use of digital tools, like mobile applications, to cater to the new generation of seafarers, and the growing role of AI in analyzing data to improve safety and operational efficiency.
During the panel discussion, Ali A. Shehab, Global Director of Special Projects & Services, Maritime, DNV AS, Dubai Branch, explained that taking the human factor under consideration is a necessity if the industry strives to improve safety operations and sail towards a greener future, as a transition is not possible without the people who drive it.
Session #4: Decarbonization challenges
Philippos Giannakos, Senior Sales Manager, South Europe, Middle East and Africa, NAPA, discussed the role of digital innovation in driving decarbonization in shipping. He highlighted how regulations are pushing ship owners to adapt and adopt flexible, smart technological platforms to maintain competitiveness and compliance. Philippos Giannakos emphasized that accurate ship performance assessment can now be achieved without costly sensors, enabling improved voyage planning and more efficient maintenance scheduling.
Colin Holloway, Regional Chair, The International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA), gave a presentation on the increasing complexity and risks in the bunker fuel chain due to the shift towards a multi-fuel future. He highlighted the challenges posed by the need for new ship tonnage, storage infrastructure for multiple fuels, and the implications for safety and training. Furthermore, he drew attention on the growing complexity in ship/shore compliance and the lag in the regulatory framework, particularly regarding safety, insurance, and liability.
During the fourth panel discussion, Stylianos Marantis, Marine Management Systems Manager, Middle East and Africa Marine & Offshore, EMEA, Lloyd’s Register, and Dr. Ibrahim Behairy, Manager of Global Sustainability, ABS, offered their valuable insight on how decarbonization shapes current and future maritime operations. The speakers also pointed out the need for collaboration amongst stakeholders, as the future remains uncertain, but the times are pressing towards a greener future.
Panel #5: ESG in shipping
Konstantina Kottoros, Board Member, WISTA UAE & Managing Director & Senior Legal Counsel, Mercuria Energy Trading Middle East DMCC, addressed key issues related to ocean sustainability. She highlighted the alarming rate of Arctic warming, which is occurring four times faster than the global average, and discussed the growing problem of marine plastics. Additionally, Konstantina Kottoros pointed out the increasing navigability of the Northwest Passage, which was once considered impassable, as climate change continues to alter global maritime routes.
Capt. Anuj Chopra, Managing Director, MaritimESG Middle East Project Management LLC, gave a presentation on the how adopting ESG practices enhances operational resilience, safety, efficiency, and profitability. By reducing environmental impact, improving social responsibility, and strengthening governance, maritime companies can ensure compliance with evolving regulations while optimizing energy use and extending vessel lifespan. According to Capt. Chopra, ESG practices also improve workforce safety and morale, fostering a culture of health and reducing downtime.
Finally, during the last panel discussion, Ali A. Shehab, Global Director of Special Projects & Services, Maritime, DNV AS, Dubai Branch, and Capt. Anwar Farah, VP Sustainability, Bahri, shared their insights on how sustainable practices are transforming maritime operations. They emphasized that adopting ESG principles goes beyond regulatory compliance; it plays a crucial role in reducing emissions and benefiting the environment while also addressing challenges like low retention rates in the maritime industry. By embracing ESG, companies can simultaneously improve their environmental impact and enhance workforce stability, achieving multiple objectives with one integrated approach.
