Wind propulsion adoption will gain greater traction this year as data from trials make a convincing investment argument. That’s the point of view of Alex Albertini, CEO of Monaco-based Marfin Management, an operator in the handy and supramax space, and panellist in the upcoming dry decarbonisation session on day two at May’s Geneva Dry conference.
“Initial trials of wind technology are giving real results which will allow the rest of the industry to take a real stance on this matter,” Albertini says.
Over the past year, wind power has become a key part of the emission reduction conversation in the shipping industry as the need to decarbonise to remain compliant is embraced with record numbers of various different types of wind-assist tech installed on vessels.
Among the ships making headlines has been the Pyxis Ocean bulk carrier, on charter to Cargill, which since last August has sported two rigid WindWings developed by BAR Technologies and Yara Marine Technologies, who claim they can cut fuel consumption by up to 30%.
Alongside Albertini at the decarbonisation session will be Eman Abdalla, global operations director at Cargill Ocean Transportation, who will be able to provide delegates with an update into how initial wind trials have gone.
Geneva Dry’s decarbonisation session, moderated by Mette Asmussen from the World Economic Forum, will look at what dry bulk can learn from other shipping sectors when it comes to going green. Delegates will also get a better understanding of how each year of the 2020s will shape up in terms of regulatory and commercial pressure to decarbonise. The session, which features both charterers and owners, will also ask the all-important question: who will genuinely pay for all this green tech?
Albertini is looking forward to it, as he is to the three digital sessions on day one.
“While AI is coming more and more into our life it is slowly stepping into the shipping industry but not really bringing breakthroughs as yet,” he says, arguing that shipping is going through a phase of evolutionary change bringing maturity into digitalisation.
With more than 180 companies now confirmed as attending, the inaugural Geneva Dry has cemented its mission to become the annual global event for shipping’s largest segment, dry bulk.
Geneva Dry brings together all elements of the commodities shipping sector. Split into sectors, panels feature analysts, financiers, miners, traders and shipowners to discuss where the markets are headed.
The full Geneva Dry agenda can be accessed here.
Geneva Dry registration, at just $650, can be accessed here.
Special Geneva Dry rates at the President Wilson Hotel can be found here.
