ENERGY TRANSPORTATION USA 2009 PROGRAM

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MARE FORUM USA 2009

MARITIME TRANSPORTATION OF ENERGY

DETERMINING PRIORITIES

IN A NEW FINANCIAL CLIMATE

February 11 & 12, 2009

Hilton Houston Post Oak Hotel
Houston - Texas - U.S.A.

Situation: Financial markets and economic climates have experienced an historic and dramatic downturn and enormous volatility. International and United States energy costs have experienced record high levels and then receded but are expected to remain volatile; and, the volume of energy cargoes continues to grow and marine transportation of crude oil, petroleum products, LNG/LPG, coal and other energy products is ever more essential to worldwide availability of energy for domestic and industrial use.

Challenge: The energy and maritime transportation industries should produce and provide to consumers worldwide, readily available and reliable energy resources at the lowest possible cost, while enjoying a reasonable profit. This must be accomplished in a safe, secure and environmentally responsible manner with the following deemed as priority issues to be addressed by government and industry.

Priorities:

Port and Waterways - improvements to support the increasing volume of maritime transportation.
Maritime Personnel - recruitment, training and retention of both seafarers and industry shore-based personnel.

Questions for discussion and debate:

Have government and industry progressed in addressing the priorities identified by the Mare Forum Conference in February 2008? How have these priorities now been altered by the world financial crisis?
Are shipping financial markets now creating fundamental changes in the marine industry, re-shaping its basic economic structure, availability of adequate tonnage, advancement of technology and availability of marine industry personnel?
Will energy costs surge to new heights?
Has the increase and then retreat of energy costs altered the “demand dynamics” and climate for shipping and shipping capacity?
Has interest in LNG peaked or reached a plateau?

THIS CONFERENCE will examine through a structured approach, the current state and future need and validity relative to the Priorities and provide an assessment of the impact of the energy and financial markets on energy transportation by international shipping.

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE

Joseph J. Cox
President, Chamber of Shipping of America
Conference Chairman

Jannis Kostoulas
Chairman, Mare Forum

Helen A. Brohl
Director of the Executive Secretariat,
U.S. Committee on the Marine Transportation System

RADM Robert C. North
President, North Star Maritime, Inc.

Stewart H. Wade
Vice President, American Bureau of Shipping

Robert S. Bowers, II
Managing Director, AMA Capital Partners

Michael Economides
Professor, Cullen College of Engineering, University of Houston
Managing Partner, Dr. Michael J. Economides Consultants, Inc.
Editor-in-Chief "Energy Tribune"

The Speakers and Discussion Panellists:
[as of 4 February]

For the programme see below

Joseph J. Cox
President, Chamber of Shipping of America
Conference Chairman

Rear Admiral Brian Salerno
Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety Security and Stewardship
U.S. Coast Guard

Rear Admiral Joel R. Whitehead
Commander, Eighth District
U. S. Coast Guard

Vice Admiral Jim Card,
US Coast Guard (Ret.)

Rear Admiral Robert C. North
President, North Star Maritime, Inc.

Helen A. Brohl
Director of the Executive Secretariat,
U.S. Committee on the Marine Transportation System

Yvette Fields
Acting Director, Office of Deepwater Ports,
US Maritime Administration

Drew Nelson
Lead Negotiator on Greenhouse gas Emissions
from International Shipping
Office of Climate Change - US Department of State

Carlin Conner
CEO
TOPS – Texas Offshore Port System

Eric H. Namtvedt
President
FloaTEC, LLC

Zach Allen
President
Pan EurAsian Enterprises, Inc.

Martin Stopford
Member of the Board
Clarksons

Rajiv Khandpur
Chief, Maritime Transportation Systems Division
US Coast Guard

Chris Wiernicki
President and Chief Operating Officer
American Bureau of Shipping

Michael Economides
Professor, Cullen College of Engineering, University of Houston
Managing Partner, Dr. Michael J. Economides Consultants, Inc.
Editor-in-Chief "Energy Tribune"

Bob Corbin
US DOE Office of Fossil Energy

David Marin
Regional Supervisor for Resource Evaluation,
Gulf of Mexico OCS Region,
U.S. Minerals Management Service (MMS)

Richard Ford
Aramco Services

Robin Rorick
Director, Marine and Security
American Petroleum Institute

David St Amand
President, Navigistics, Inc.

Megan McCurdy
Poten & Partners

Captain Kevin Coyne
Vice President, Quality and Compliance
General Maritime Corporation

Captain Anuj Chopra
President, Anglo-Eastern (Houston) LLC

Cliff Johnson
Vice President Commercial
United Maritime Group

Captain John Hill
Operations Control Director
Heidmar, Inc.

Paul Slater
Chairman & CEO, First International Corp
Senior Managing Director, Griffin Holdings Group LLC

Bill Gray
Gray Maritime

Bernard Anne
Managing Director
Bureau Veritas

Robert S. Bowers, II
Managing Director, AMA Capital Partners

Geir Sjurseth
Managing Director and Global Head of
DVB's Offshore Support Group

Harris Antoniou
Managing Director
Energy, Commodities & Transportation
Fortis

William R. Gallagher
President, International Registries, Inc.

Jannis Kostoulas
Chairman, Mare Forum

Captain Eric Larsson
Director, Maritime Education, Seamen’s Church Institute of New York and New Jersey

Richard Plant
Int’l Organization of Masters Mates and Pilots

Capt Robert Fay
International Registries – Marshall Islands

Maritime Academy Cadet Perspective
Texas A & M Cadet

Michael Chalos

Tim Protheroe
Senior Vice President
Lloyd’s Register

Steve Gumpel
Area Manager North America
Germanischer Lloyd

Stewart H. Wade
Vice President
American Bureau of Shipping

Blaine Collins
Vice President & Regional Manager
Det Norske Veritas

Dan Sheehan, PE

Konstantinos Daskalopoulos
Vice Consul
Consulate General of Greece

Kelly Curtin

Division Manager - Nautical Science Programs

USMMA - Global Maritime & Transportation School

Timothy Cullen
Texas A & M Cadet

		Tuesday, February 10, 2009 Hilton Houston Post Oak Hotel
18:00- 19:00		Registration
		Wednesday, February 11, 2009 Hilton Houston Post Oak Hotel
07:30		Registration
		First Day’s Theme: Meeting Energy Needs in a New Financial Climate – A Reassessment of Priorities for Shipping
08:30		Opening and Introduction by the Conference Chairman Joseph J. Cox President, Chamber of Shipping of America
		Session 1: Setting the Scene – Keynote Speakers The View from the Bridge – Senior Stakeholder Views and Expectations Themes: Senior leaders representing government and industry describe their view of the “Priorities” from a broad policy perspective, including the impact of the world financial crisis and energy costs on international shipping and potential barriers to meeting the “challenge”
08:30		Moderator: Joseph J. Cox President, Chamber of Shipping of America
08:40		Rear Admiral Joel R. Whitehead Commander, Eighth District U. S. Coast Guard
08:55		Chris Wiernicki President and Chief Operating Officer American Bureau of Shipping
09:10		Captain Kevin Coyne Vice President, Quality and Compliance General Maritime Corporation
09:25		Robert S. Bowers, II Managing Director, AMA Capital Partners
09:40		William R. Gallagher President, International Registries, Inc.
09:55		Konstantinos Daskalopoulos Vice Consul Consulate General of Greece
10:15 - 11:00		Discussion and Debate between speakers and audience participants
11:00 - 11:20		Break
		session 2 Setting the Scene – Matching Supply and Demand Updated Forecast of Short and Long-term World Energy Requirements in a New Financial Climate Moderator: Michael Economides Professor Cullen College of Engineering, University of Houston Managing Partner Dr. Michael J. Economides Consultants, Inc. Editor-in-Chief "Energy Tribune" Themes: Global energy needs – supply and demand – impact of world financial crisis – focus on United States domestic supply and importation requirements – status and future of traditional and alternative energy sources – offshore Arctic potential
11:20		Moderator’s Introduction Michael Economides Professor Cullen College of Engineering, University of Houston Managing Partner Dr. Michael J. Economides Consultants, Inc. Editor-in-Chief "Energy Tribune"
11:50		United States Outer Continental Shelf Forecast David Marin Regional Supervisor for Resource Evaluation, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, U.S. Minerals Management Service (MMS)
12:15		The LNG Market - A Commercial Perspective Zach Allen President Pan EurAsian Enterprises, Inc.
12:30		Current LNG Safety and Security Research at US Department of Energy (DOE) Bob Corbin US DOE Office of Fossil Energy
12:45		Discussion and Debate between speakers, members of the discussion panel and audience participants. Questions to be addressed by panelists and for discussion and debate by participants: What are current predictions for global and US energy needs over next 20 years? Where are current energy reserves located? Is offshore Arctic development a viable potential source? Have traditional energy sources and U.S. refinery capacity peaked? Impact of the world financial crisis on energy supply and demand? What are feasible alternatives to traditional oil, gas and coal energy resources? What percentage of need can current traditional energy sources meet? Will concern over Greenhouse Gases (CO2) affect energy choices? What are the trends in importation of energy to meet U.S. energy requirements? What is the impact of the growing energy demands of countries with rapidly expanding economies such as China and India? Is LNG really the energy source of choice for the future when balanced against available technology and safety, security and environmental concerns? Discussion panelists: Michael Economides Professor Cullen College of Engineering, University of Houston Managing Partner Dr. Michael J. Economides Consultants, Inc. Editor-in-Chief "Energy Tribune" Martin Stopford Member of the Board Clarkson David St Amand President, Navigistics, Inc. Bob Corbin US DOE Office of Fossil Energy David Marin Regional Supervisor for Resource Evaluation, Gulf of Mexico OCS Region, U.S. Minerals Management Service (MMS) Zach Allen President Pan EurAsian Enterprises, Inc. more discussion panellists to be announced
13:30		Lunch hosted by ABS
		session 3 part 1 Marine Transportation System Priority Issues Part 1: Ports, Terminals and Waterways – The Outlook for Improvements Moderator: Helen A. Brohl Director of the Executive Secretariat, U.S. Committee on the Marine Transportation System Themes: International energy shipping needs versus existing and projected port, terminal and waterway capacity, safety and security plans – port services and pilotage - terminals at risk to other local government waterfront developmental priorities and recreational/residential development - waterway development to keep pace with increasing traffic volume and vessel size - LNG terminal re-gasification development
14:30		Moderator's introduction Helen A. Brohl Director of the Executive Secretariat, U.S. Committee on the Marine Transportation System
14:40		Assessment of shipping growth Megan McCurdy Poten & Partners
14:50		Port and terminal needs to maintain capacity for shipping growth Carlin Conner CEO TOPS – Texas Offshore Port System
15:00		Oil Terminal vetting Captain John Hill Operations Control Director Heidmar, Inc.
15:10		Impact of Energy Cost Volatility on Tanker Operations Robin Rorick Director, Marine and Security American Petroleum Institute
15:20		Ports and waterways safety improvements Rajiv Khandpur Chief, Maritime Transportation Systems Division US Coast Guard
15:30		LNG terminal capacity Yvette Fields Acting Director, Office of Deepwater Ports, US Maritime Administration
15:40 - 16:40		Discussion and Debate between speakers, members of the discussion panel and audience participants. Questions to be addressed by panelists and for discussion and debate by participants: What is the impact of the turmoil in world financial markets on terminals and waterways infrastructure, port services and pilotage? Waterways management needs for marine casualty prevention? What is the possible impact on shipping growth of the volatility in energy costs? What are the needs of terminals to maintain adequate capacity to meet growth in energy shipping activity expected through 2030? What waterways improvements are needed to accommodate increased shipping in a safe, secure and environmentally sound manner? U.S. LNG Terminal proposals. Are new U.S. LNG terminals being licensed at a rate to meet projected need? Discussion panellists: Martin Stopford Member of the Board Clarkson Paul Slater Chairman & CEO, First International Corp Vice Chairman, Griffin Holdings Group LLC Cliff Johnson Vice President Commercial, United Maritime Group Bill Gray Gray Maritime
16:40		Break
17:00 - 17:50		Chairman’s summary and conclusions for the day, Second day overview
20:00		cocktail reception hosted by

		Thursday 12 February 2009
		session 3 part 2 Marine Transportation System Priority Issues Part 2: Personnel Afloat and Ashore – Recruiting, Training and Retention
		Themes: Availability of adequate numbers of mariner to man an increasing number of vessels - accession of officers into the industry - training in basic skills and new technology - career development to improve levels of experience, - retention and the ability of the industry to attract the interest of people at the beginning of their careers - risk of criminal sanctions for regulatory non-compliance - issues with recruiting and retention of shore staff, technical personnel.
08:30		Moderator’s Introduction Captain Eric Larsson Director, Maritime Education, Seamen’s Church Institute of New York and New Jersey
08:40		Richard Plant Int’l Organization of Masters Mates and Pilots
08:50		Captain Anuj Chopra President, Anglo-Eastern (Houston) LLC
09:00		Capt Robert Fay International Registries – Marshall Islands
09:10		Maritime Academy Cadet Perspective Timothy Cullen Texas A & M Cadet
09:20		Michael Chalos
09:30		Discussion and Debate between members of the discussion panel and audience participants. Questions to be addressed by panelists and for discussion and debate by participants: What is the projected need for seafarers and shore staff? Impact of the U.S. Mariner LNG carrier initiative? STCW amendments needed? Impact of personnel issues on prevention of casualties? Will the new ILO International labour Convention make a mariner’s life better? What are the vessel shore staff manning challenges associated with increased trade? How to make a maritime industry career attractive? discussion panellists: Paul Slater Chairman & CEO, First International Corp Vice Chairman, Griffin Holdings Group LLC Kelly Curtin Division Manager - Nautical Science Programs USMMA - Global Maritime & Transportation School more discussion panellists to be announced
10:30		Break
		Session 4 Marine Transportation System Regulatory and Technical Issues - International standards for an International Industry Themes: International and US regulatory initiatives – setting the right balance – prevention of marine casualties - air emissions – criminalization of maritime incidents in the US and Europe – level of risk and risk management – keeping up with technology - Goal-Based Standards (GBS) – Common Structural Rules (CSR) - LNG ship design technology advances – offshore technology – MARPOL Annex VI revision and GHG regulation – ILO Consolidated Maritime Labour Convention
10:50		Moderator’s Introduction Vice Admiral Jim Card, US Coast Guard (Ret.)
		Part 1: Technology – Safety, Security and the Environment - Classification Society Panel
11:00		Maritime safety - are governments and class on the same page Stewart H. Wade Vice President American Bureau of Shipping
11:10		Implementation of the Consolidated Maritime Labour Convention Tim Protheroe Senior Vice President Lloyd’s Register
11:20		Steve Gumpel Area Manager North America Germanischer Lloyd
11:30		Environmental Policy – An integrated approach for international shipping Blaine Collins Vice President & Regional Manager Det Norske Veritas
11:40		Bernard Anne Managing Director Bureau Veritas
		Part 2: Regulating Safety, Security and the Environment
11:50		Regulator’s Perspective Rear Admiral Brian Salerno Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety Security and Stewardship U.S. Coast Guard
12:00		Regulatory Initiatives to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Shipping Drew Nelson Lead Negotiator on Greenhouse gas Emissions from International Shipping Office of Climate Change US Department of State
12:10		Ship Manager’s Perspective Anuj Chopra President, Anglo-Eastern Ship Management
12:20		Discussion and Debate between speakers, members of the discussion panel and audience participants. Considering, for example: MARPOL VI implementation/revision, US ratification; GHG/CO2 emissions control Ballast Water Management Goal Based Standards and Common Structural Rules Criminal enforcement of OWS and other MARPOL I violations LNG terminal permitting Maritime security requirements on ships and terminals including TWIC Marine casualty analysis Questions to be addressed by panelists and for discussion and debate by participants: What should be the highest priority international and U.S. regulatory initiatives? GHG emphasis: How should IMO deal with emission trading schemes (ETS)? Potential impact on energy transportation costs? Practicality of CO2 design indexing? Debate over conflict with UNFCCC? Impact of environmental legislation in California and the U.S. ratification of MARPOL VI? How should Port State Control take into account tanker vetting inspection data? Tanker Management Self assessment (TMSA) results? TWIC Program implementation status? Implications of casualty analysis for P & I and hull underwriters? Are there solutions to MARPOL I compliance/violation problems beyond criminal prosecution? Are classification societies prepared to approve exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS) under MARPOL Annex VI for both SOx and NOx? Are classification societies prepared to approve exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS) under MARPOL Annex VI for both SOx and NOx? What measures are classification societies taking to prepare for implementation of the ILO Consolidated Labour Convention? Will GBS provide a level playing field for classification society competition? How practical and safe is the trend to convert single hull tankers to bulk carriers? Will these ships meet CSR for tanker standards? How can CSR be extended beyond IACS? discussion panellists: Dan Sheehan - PE more discussion panellists to be announced

13:30		Lunch hosted by
		Session 5 Investments, Financing Maritime Transportation of Energy - Ship Finance - Where to Invest Your Money ? Shipping Market Analysis in a New Financial Climate Themes: The credit crunch - Long term capital needs – investment risks - Where should the smart money go now? – impact of regulation – LNG is a special case? – US versus other locations - Opportunities and challenges in the offshore oil production sector
14:30		Moderator’s Introduction Robert S. Bowers, II Managing Director, AMA Capital Partners
14:40		Geir Sjurseth Managing Director and Global Head of DVB's Offshore Support Group
14:50		Harris Antoniou Managing Director Energy, Commodities & Transportation Fortis
15:00		Eric H. Namtvedt President FloaTEC, LLC
15:10		Paul Slater Chairman & CEO, First International Corp Vice Chairman, Griffin Holdings Group LLC
15:10 - 16:10		Discussion and Debate between speakers, members of the discussion panel and audience participants. Questions to be addressed by panelists and for discussion/debate by participants: With regard to investments involving maritime transportation of energy to the U.S. where is the best place to put your money? • Ships in international trade? • Ships built in U.S. yards for the U.S. coastwise (Jones Act) trade? • Barges built in U.S. yards for the U.S. coastwise (Jones Act) trade? • Offshore oil production sector?
16:10 - 16:30		Break hosted by DVB BANK
		Session 6 Conclusion – A Focused Agenda for Policy Makers - Energy Requirements versus Overall System Capacity and Other Limitations - Prioritization of Issues
		Conference Chairman, Session Chairmen and Conference participants synthesize and prioritize the policy issues developed by each session and compare to the 2007 Houston Conference conclusions. Develop a list of priorities for government and industry to address concerning: • Development of feasible alternative energy sources • Traditional – oil, gas, coal - energy resource development/exploitation • Maritime transportation capacity issues - ports and waterways, seafarers • Industry finance issues • International and U.S. regulatory initiatives
16:30 – 17:30		Moderator: Conference Chairman Joseph J. Cox President, Chamber of Shipping of America Open discussion where Moderators of Sessions 1-5 discuss the results of their panels between themselves and the participants and recommend prioritization of issues developed during days 1 & 2.
17:30 - 19:00		Closing reception Representatives from the following companies and institutions are registered for the conference: [as of 3 feb 2009] U.S. COAST GUARD - U.S. MARITIME ADMINISTRATION - U.S. COMMITTEE ON THE MARINE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM - U.S. DOE OFFICE OF FOSSIL ENERGY - SKAUGEN PETROTRANS - TEEKAY - AET INC. LIMITED - ALARIS COMPANIES, LLC - MITSUI O.S.K. BULK SHIPPING (USA), INC - ANGLO-EASTERN (HOUSTON) LLC - ARAMCO SERVICES CO. - BP SHIPPING (USA) - AMERICAN PETROLEUM INSTITUTE - CRESCENT TOWING CO. - TRANSGAS SHIPPING - TRICO MARINE SERVICES - GRUPO PROTEXA - BG LNG - EXCELERATE ENERGY - FLOATEC, LLC - TOPS, TEXAS OFFSHORE PORT SYSTEM - GENERAL DYNAMICS - NASSCO - GENERAL MARITIME CORPORATION - CHAMBER OF SHIPPING AMERICA - GMATS - CUPPER AMERICAS - UNITED MARITIME GROUP - FIRST INTERNATIONAL CORP - KIRBY CORPORATION - LAURIN MARITIME - NAVIGISTICS CONSULTING - NORD SUED SHIPPING INC - PANEURASIAN ENTERPRISES, INC. - SEACOR MARINE - POTEN & PARTNERS - RIGHTSHIP - HARBOR DOCKING & TOWING CO., LLC - HEIDMAR, INC. - SEACOR HOLDINGS INC. - VT HALTER MARINE - ABS CONSULTING - AMA CAPITAL PARTNERS - DVB BANK - SHIPPING DIVISION - BELL, RYNIKER & LETOURNEAU - MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE - GRIFFIN HOLDINGS GROUP, LLC - FORTIS BANK - GARDERE WYNNE SEWELL LLP - BLANK ROME, LLP - BUREAU VERITAS - CHALOS, O'CONNOR & DUFFY, LLC - AET (SHIPMANAGEMENT) PTE. LTD. - AMERICAN BUREAU OF SHIPPING - CONSULATE GENERAL OF GREECE - DELOITTE FINANCIAL - DET NORSKE VERITAS - DVB TRANSPORT (US) LLC - GERMANISCHER LLOYD - GRAY MARITIME CO. - HELLENIC COAST GUARD - INDEPENDENT MARITIME CONSULTANTS - INSTITUTE OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY - INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF MASTERS, MATES & PILOTS - INTERNATIONAL REGISTRIES, INC./ MARSHALL ISLANDS REGISTRY - LEGALY MARINE GROUP - LLOYD'S LIST - NATIONAL RESPONSE CORPORATION - LLOYD'S REGISTER - LLOYD'S REGISTER AMERICAS, INC. - NAUTICAL SCIENCE PROGRAMS USMMA - GLOBAL MARITIME & TRANSPORTATION SCHOOL - UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON - - NORTH STAR MARITIME, INC. - SHIP EQUIP - WELDER LESHIN LLP - WORLD FUEL SERVICES - ENERGY TRIBUNE - GULFMARK OFFSHORE INC - CLARKSON - Office of Climate Change - US Department of State - USMMA Global Maritime & Transportation School - AND MORE