SHIPPING is in urgent need of some long-overdue innovation.

The pursuit of zero-carbon shipping, fully integrated into a digitalised global supply chain, requires research and development investment at a scale hitherto unseen from a habitually reactive sector in which first-mover advantage for genuine innovators is a concept with few successful historical precedents.

But the more significant issue here is that most of the big issues are not shipping specific at all.

For all the current focus on emissions, the real innovation lies in finding supply chain efficiencies well beyond the scope of the vessel.

Much of the innovation under way is less a thing and more a new way of doing things, but ensuring each new system is interoperable with both existing and new models requires collaboration along the whole supply chain and a level of data governance that has so far proved to be out of reach for many.

Big ideas, with hard cash to back up development programmes, are required across the industry. But the more significant changes will require collaboration, political compromise and leadership capable of showcasing the potential value in making this happen now, rather than in 2049.

The Lloyd’s List Innovation Forum at Nor-Shipping this year will gather some of the smartest leaders in the industry to discuss what it takes to turn good ideas into reality and how we as an industry can accelerate efficiency gains via enhanced digitalisation and collaboration.

The panel debate will take place on June 3, 2019 starting 3pm at the Høyres Hus Conference Centre in Oslo.

Speaking at the event will be:

• Ari Marjamaa, chief executive officer, Raa Labs
• Christian Oldendorff, owner and founder, Amplifier
• Christopher Rex, head of innovation and research, Danish Ship Finance
• Pierre Sames, group technology and research director, DNV GL
• Ronald Spithout, president, Inmarsat
• Mikko Lepistö, senior vice-president digital solutions, ABB Marine & Ports
• Christopher Palsson, head of consulting, Lloyd’s List Intelligence

Attendance at the event is free, however spaces are limited so registration is essential.

We hope you will be able to join for what promises to be an important discussion, however Lloyd’s List subscribers unable to attend will be able to view video coverage after the event.