LNG Focus at 2013 Fleet Optimization Conference

MarineLink.com July 30, 2013

Anthony Chiarello, president and CEO of Tote, Inc., will be the opening-day keynote speaker. He will review his company's experiences with LNG technology.

The practical challenges of using Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as a marine fuel will be a major theme of the 2013 SHIPPINGInsight Fleet Optimization Conference, Oct. 22-24 at the Sheraton Stamford Hotel in Stamford, Conn.

“A number of major shipping companies are placing orders for new LNG-powered ships and others are considering converting their existing ships to run on LNG,” said Frank Soccoli, coproducer, SHIPPINGInsight. “That’s why we’re putting a major emphasis on LNG as an alternative fuel for ships at this year’s Fleet Optimization Conference.”

Given the intense industry focus on the potential benefits of converting to LNG, a dedicated LNG workshop is being added this year. The workshop will be a round-table discussion including senior executives from shipping companies, classification societies, regulatory bodies, engine manufacturers, bunkering suppliers and other industry experts to take a deeper look into the issues, challenges, solutions and best practices for LNG propulsion. The workshop is being sponsored by GE Marine and will be led by Greg Trauthwein, editor of Maritime Reporter.

Anthony Chiarello, president and CEO of Tote, Inc., will set the tone of the conference as the opening-day keynote speaker with a review of his company’s experience as an early adopter of LNG technology. Tote has placed orders for two new LNG-powered vessels, and has also announced plans to convert its fleet of Jones Act carriers to LNG.

Mark Barker, president of Interlake Steamship, will discuss his company’s plans to convert its fleet to LNG. Other speakers and panelists addressing LNG issues also include representatives from Lloyd’s Register, MAN, Wärtsilä, Moffatt & Nichol, NASSCO, GE Marine and Rolls-Royce.

“LNG holds great promise as a lower-cost alternative fuel to marine diesel,” said Jim Rhodes, conference coproducer. “To date, most of the early adopters are operators of ships such as ferries and cargo ships on relatively short fixed point-to-point routes. There are many hurdles to overcome to make LNG widely available for ships trading on spot charter or liners on global routes. Our moderators, speakers and panelists will discuss the practical solutions to these challenges both in the main conference sessions and dedicated LNG workshop. We expect there will also be a lively exchange of ideas at the networking receptions and luncheons.”

The 2013 SHIPPINGInsight Conference agenda includes sessions on regulatory challenges, designing for efficiency, fuel and propulsion management with special emphasis on LNG, system monitoring and maintenance management, voyage and ship performance optimization and managing organizational change. The LNG workshop will take place Thursday afternoon, Oct. 24 immediately following the main conference, and is open to all registered delegates.

Registration is now open, and delegates can take advantage of early-bird discounts by registering online at shippinginsight.com/event-registration. Participants are also encouraged to secure the special group rate of $165/night at the Sheraton Stamford Hotel. To reserve your room, call 203.358.8400 and mention group code SHIPPINGInsight or book online at shippinginsight.com/location.