Hext to head Hong Kong debate on digital future

The application of data-driven, digital solutions in shipping is here and developing rapidly. At this year’s TradeWinds Shipowners Forum, taking place on November 21^st at the Hong Kong Maritime Museum, a special focus session will explore the implications.

Richard Hext will lead the highly accomplished panel offering insight into the opportunities, ROI and pitfalls associated with embracing the world of Big Data. The panel, comprising Dr Martin Stopford, President of Clarksons Research, Jacques Goudchaux, Chief Information Officer of BRS Group and Sean Riley, Chief Operating Officer of Veson Nautical is uniquely qualified to tackle the most challenging questions surrounding key contract terms, shared databases, broker engagement terms and more.

Featuring some of the most prominent and influential names in shipping, the owners' panel will give its take on 'shipping 4.0' and other topics in the session immediately following. On the panel: Mats Berglund, CEO of Pacific Basin, Masaki Fukumori, Executive Director & Chief Operating Officer of Uni-Asia Group, Mark Young, CEO of Asia Maritime Pacific, Thomas Söderberg, Managing Director of Tribini Captial, Jack Hsu, Managing Director of Oak Maritime HK and Tim Huxley, Managing Director of Mandarin Shipping.

Setting the scene and reflecting the importance of mainland China, the opening panel will explore China’s relentlessly growing influence on freight and money, look at the case for consolidation in the context of a recovering market and consider the impact of new regulations. Leading the discussion: Bill Guo, Executive Director of ICBC Leasing, Bjørn Højgaard, Chief Executive Officer of Anglo-Eastern, Jonathan Silver, Partner, Head of Shipping North Asia of Norton Rose Fulbright,Frans van de Bospoort, Managing Director and Head of Shipping Eastern Hemisphere of DVB Bank, Christoforos Bisbikos, Partner at Watson Farley & Williams and Nigel Anton, Global Head Shipping Finance of Standard Chartered Bank

Transport and Housing (Transport) Permanent Secretary Joseph Lai JP (above) will welcome guests together with Chairman of the Hong Kong Shipowners Association & Executive Chairman, Wah Kwong Maritime Transport Holdings Limited, Sabrina Chao. TradeWinds Editor-in-Chief Julian Bray will steer the afternoon and looks forward to your personal input during the discussions.

TradeWinds Shipowners Forum is taking place at the head of  Hong Kong Maritime Week - an initiative jointly organised by the Hong Kong Maritime and Port Board, Hong Kong Shipowners Association and Hong Kong Maritime Museum. Running from 19 to 26 November 2017, it aims to “Propel Hong Kong” as a renowned international maritime centre.

The Forum has broad industry support in the form of sponsorship from IRI / The Marshall Islands, InvestHK, Pictet, Crossworld and Anglo-Eastern.