2021’s 2nd DNV Greek Technical Committee (GTC) took place on Wednesday December 1st and was held online due to COVID-19 safety concerns.
“Hopefully this is the last time we do this extremely useful and engaging discussion virtually, however COVID has taught us to never say never again. Let’s see. I am very optimistic, however, that during our next meeting we will be celebrating our 100 year anniversary in Greece in person,” said Ioannis Chiotopoulos, SVP Regional Manager South East Europe & Middle East.
This time, members of the Cyprus Technical Committee (CTC) were invited to join the discussion and contribute to the exchange of experiences and views. Two members of the CTC took part as panel members – Mr. E. Derlagen from ENESEL and Mr. E. Adami from MASTERMIND.
“I was very happy to be part of the many very interesting discussions that took place during the Greek Technical Committee meeting. The main benefit was the exchange of experiences and ideas on how to implement the new decarbonization regulations, ensure the future proofness of their vessels, and implement digitalization in vessel operation and maintenance effectively,” said Isaias Loizos, Head of the Maritime Service Centre & Advisory, who also is the Secretary of the GTC.
Decarbonization and digitalization
Two panel discussions on the two current hottest issues in the maritime industry - decarbonization and digitalisation - took place during the meeting. Active discussions took place during the panel sessions, and many good comments and points for consideration were raised by the panellists and the participants.
Panel Discussion No. 1 - Decarbonisation and the EEXI and CII
S. Hatzigrigoris (Chairman of the GTC) moderated, with panel members D. Fafalios (FAFALIOS), D. Vastarouchas (DANAOS and Vice Chairman of the GTC), N. Benetatos (KYKLADES), E. Derlagen (ENESEL), and Ch. Chryssakis (DNV).
The topics of discussion included: feedback from MEPC77, Fit for 55 – the upcoming EU GHG regulations, COP26 results, EEXI and CII calculations and their consequences for both existing and new vessels, slow steaming and EPL, LNG and other fuels (ammonia, methanol, hydrogen), the development of new compliant ship designs, and building crew competence to cope with new technologies and fuels.
Panel discussion No. 2 – Digitalisation with focus on vessels operation and maintenance
This session was moderated by S. Dimakopoulos (MINERVA and Vice Chairman of the GTC), with panel members V. Lampropoulos (THENAMARIS and Vice Chairman of the GTC), M. Pearson (MARAN TANKERS), G. Kriezis (NEPTUNE), K. Vlachos (ZODIAC), and E. Adami (MASTERMIND).
The discussions covered the use of digital tools in monitoring and optimizing operational performance, the digitalization tools for monitoring equipment/machinery condition, remote assisted troubleshooting and maintenance, ship design specifications to enable digitalization and cybersecurity, and the human resources and the competencies needed onboard and ashore to enable digitalization without losing the required engineering competencies and seamanship.
“It was another interesting meeting, especially after the recent MEPC which failed to make substantial progress on issues that will enable shipping investors to make informed decisions and breathe easier. A wide range of green solutions are still under discussion in an environment that tends to get stricter for the shipping industry that is not having the lobbying power that other industries have. I would like to take the opportunity to thank Loizos and his team for their effort to organize meetings that enable the Greek shipping community to move forward,” said Mr. Stavros Chatzigrigoris, Chairman of the GTC meeting.