On 15 September, the editorial teams of Schiff&Hafen | Ship&Offshore and Ship and Offshore Repair Journal hosted a maritime expert dialogue on retrofitting and conversion at the Empire Riverside Hotel in Hamburg. The aim of the event was to share expertise and promote discussion on technologies, regulations and strategies in the field of retrofitting.
The keynote speech by Dr Christopher Stanik (NOW GmbH) highlighted the importance of regulatory measures such as the IMO Greenhouse Gas Strategy adopted in April 2023 and its economic consequences. He emphasised that efficiency measures and the use of alternative fuels are crucial to achieving climate targets and remaining economically competitive.
In a panel discussion, industry representatives discussed the challenges of retrofit projects, such as the complex coordination of technical, financial and regulatory aspects. The need for early cooperation between shipping companies, engineering firms and shipyards was particularly emphasised. In addition, the importance of support programmes, for example from the EU or the Federal Ministry of Transport, was highlighted, although these are often difficult to access due to high requirements.
One conclusion from the event: retrofitting is a key transitional solution on the path to decarbonising shipping. Close cooperation between all stakeholders and the targeted use of technologies and subsidies are essential for effectively implementing this approach.
A detailed report on the expert dialogue will be published in early November in the new issue of Schiff&Hafen.
(From left): Kathrin Lau, Editor-in-Chief of Schiff&Hafen | Ship&Offshore, Dr Steffen Knodt, Head of Business Development at the Institute of Maritime Energy Systems at the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), Helena Rapp, Consultant for European Initiatives and Funding Programmes in the Maritime Industry at the German Maritime Centre (DMZ), Michael Wächter, Managing Director at STC Design & Consult GmbH, Marko Möller, Head of Business Administration & Special Projects at Scandlines, Carsten Hahn, Principal Engineer at DNV, and Manuel Bosch, Publishing Director at DVV Media Group
