After a successful year of events, with the highlight being Posidonia, we are excited to participate in the SMI Conference in September 2024, an annual conference which this year will focus on digitalisation, decarbonisation, and driving autonomy in the shipping industry.
Every year, Society Maritime Industries holds a conference to bring together industry leaders, celebrate key achievements and discuss future developments in the maritime sector. This year’s theme will explore ‘Driving Decarbonisation, Digitalisation and Autonomy – the Role of the Maritime Supply Chain and Marine Science and Technology.’
The conference will take place between Tuesday 10th to Wednesday 11th September 2024, at the Millennium Point in Birmingham, United Kingdom. The conference programme includes a reception and dinner on the evening, providing excellent networking opportunities with some of the most influential people in the United Kingdom’s maritime industry.
As part of the event, Richard Buckley, Founder and CEO, and Chair of the SMI Digital technology Group, will open Session 3. He will share his insights on the future of maritime digitalisation in a talk titled 'What's happening in the maritime digital sector?' Exploring the latest trends and challenges, Richard will provide valuable perspectives on the industry.
Participation in the conference builds on a successful SMI Digital Technology Group Seminar earlier last month, where Richard led the event exploring important topics regarding the shipping industry’s decarbonisation efforts, including CII, EU ETS, FuelEU, and the IMO 2030 and 2050 targets. The insightful seminar showcased how digital innovation can drive the industry's shared decarbonisation goals, providing an opportunity to explore the latest digital strategies while networking with industry leaders.
In addition, Richard will participate in a panel discussion organised by the Conference Chair. The discussion will be moderated by Peter Collinson, and the panel will include Cato Davies from Ensemble Analytics, Jade O'Leary from BAE Systems Digital, Eugene Bari from Ecomar Propulsion, Euan Duncan from Kongsberg Maritime Limited, Leo McLeman from UK Hydrographic Office and Simon Brown from BMT.
SMI Annual Conference 2024 Agenda
Spanning two days, the SMI Annual Conference 2024 will start on Tuesday, 10th September, with two sessions. The first session will explore delivering for the UK Shipbuilding Enterprise, and the second one centred around decarbonisation. The second session will bring to the stage speakers from leading maritime organisations to discuss how they are responding to the call to decarbonise.
This session explores a variety of current and stimulating viewpoints on how decarbonisation is influencing the maritime industry today. Topics range from addressing the intricate challenge of balancing sustainability goals within the armed forces, to examining the interconnectedness of digitalisation and decarbonisation. The session will be followed by a panel discussion where the audience will have the opportunity to engage with all session speakers.
On Wednesday 11th September, the conference will focus on digitalisation, delving into the latest trends and future challenges in maritime digital innovation. Covering key topics such as the current state of the digital sector, the opportunities and challenges of data, the use of AI, and the digitalisation of fuel management systems, the session is expected to provide actionable insights.
Finally, the conference will conclude with exploring the advancements and implications of autonomy in the maritime industry. Covering topics such as regulatory frameworks, the expanding role of autonomy in defence, and key drivers in offshore renewables and defence, this session offers a range of insightful perspectives. It also addresses the developments in ocean monitoring, autonomous port operations, and the importance of supporting international talent for intelligent autonomous maritime operations. The session will culminate in a panel discussion and a closing address by the SMI CEO, Tom Chant.
For more details about the agenda, opportunities to get involved in the SMI Conference, or to book tickets, please visit here. We look forward to seeing you in Birmingham!