Ardmore joins industry debate at LISW 2019
Back to newsThis year, London International Shipping Week covered oceans of topics, from diversity and inclusion to a zero-carbon future, and welcomed a variety of speakers from all areas of the shipping industry.
A number of our colleagues represented Ardmore Shipping at LISW 2019 and took part in three panel events across the week.
‘Financing a Zero-Carbon Future’
Anthony Gurnee, President and CEO of Ardmore Shipping, was a panellist for this Lloyd’s Register forum, focusing on the role that ship finance can play in decarbonisation, following the recent launch of the Poseidon Principles. The audience included maritime leaders from ship finance, shipping companies, ports and insurance, shipyards and the UK Government, and debated whether initiatives that integrate climate change consideration into lending decisions will go far enough to influence shipowner and charterer behaviour, as well as how changes in funding criteria could affect other maritime stakeholders. Anthony Gurnee made the point that the operational impact of decarbonisation from a shipowners’ perspective needs to be given greater attention.
Diversity in Shipping – why now?
“It is essential to widen our perspective”, argued Aideen O’Driscoll, Ardmore’s HR Director at the Diversity Study Group event, discussing if the shipping industry is fit for the future with respect to employee attraction and retention. When employers can focus too much on a narrow remit for potential employees, the talent pool is too small. The panel debated the importance of diversity and inclusion, as well as initiatives put in place to increase gender diversity. Diversity and inclusion is at the very heart of business strategy and employees are the core of the business. Listening to the panel discuss how shipping can turn its diversity challenge into an opportunity was illuminating and will hopefully spark change.
Ballast Water Workshop
Gerry Docherty, our Fleet Management Director, took part in a workshop with shipowners and operators, management companies, naval architects, shipyards, naval engineers and others on industry developments on the topical issue of ballast water treatment systems. The workshop discussed regulation and compliance to shed light on the early days of the IMO Ballast Water Convention, through to the practical issues facing ship owners today.
Anthony Gurnee, CEO of Ardmore Shipping, commented:
“Having our team attend events such as London International Shipping Week is important, not only to be abreast of current topics and hear from other maritime leaders across other fields, but also to be actively involved in the debates that are shaping our industry. It is really important our voice is heard during a time of change so we can also influence the change and be a strong leader within shipping. It is always a pleasure to be invited to join such interesting panels and we are already looking ahead to LISW 2021.”