Conference Unites Students, Regulators, Industry to Save Our Seas

The North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) and California State University Maritime Academy (Cal Maritime) co-hosted the “What’s in Your Stack?” conference on January 11, 2019 on the Cal Maritime campus. This marine industry forum focused on the rapidly changing “airscape” for ship emissions as requirements to change operational practices to meet regulatory and societal demands come into force. Sponsored by Chevron, Holland America Line, Hornblower Cruises & Events, Matson, and The Viswa Group, the conference was a unique and informative experience for students, regulators, industry representatives and conservationists to foster meaningful discussion on the future of the regulatory framework for shipping challenges facing the industry, and options to reduce environmental impacts. 

Alex Parker, professor of Oceanography at Cal Maritime, welcomed the diverse crowd of over 60 industry leaders, conservationists, and cadets. He emphasized that the goal of this event, and the commitment to academic rigor at Cal Maritime, is to create an ocean literate group of cadets charting their future in the maritime workforce. 

The event was led by industry and academic experts including; Chris Brown, Manager Regulatory Affairs & Advocacy at Chevron Shipping; Carleen Lyden Walker, NAMEPA’s Co-Founder and Executive Director; Gordon Loebl, Senior Vice President Maritime & Engineering of Hornblower Cruises & Events; Joe Servidio, Senior Vice President, Safety, Environmental & Management Services, Holland America Group; Alistair Johnson, Owner and Designer of Dasivedo Design; Keir Moorhead, Assistant Professor of Engineering Technology at Cal Maritime and Ryan Storz, Assistant Professor of Engineering Technology at Cal Maritime. The expansive list of experts spoke on evolving issues and solutions within the marine industry and the necessary balance between commerce and conservation. The event concluded with a leadership roundtable and networking reception. 

Ms. Lyden Walker appropriately stated: “Sustainability in shipping is as disruptive as sail to steam and the invention of the container. Adverse environmental and public health effects from air emissions, the imminent sulfur cap, increased automation, shortage of trained mariners, shrinking ice caps, cyber-attacks, and a demand for alternative energy sources are some of the dynamic challenges facing the maritime industry today. We must all work together to Save Our Seas."

“What’s in Your Stack?” addressed these issues by bringing all voices to the conversation. The forum introduced topics on the decarbonization of ports, electric and wind technologies, liquified natural gas (LNG), and strategies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. 

The necessity to balance commerce with conservation is more apparent with each passing day. The shipping industry is vital to global society and trade, transporting 90% of all goods and energy across the world. Equally vital is environmental conservation as overpopulation continues to jeopardize our marine environments and natural resources. 

So, the question remains, “What’s in Your Stack?” For more information, visit namepa.net.