This event is hosted by Dr Ioannis C. Moutzouris and Professor Ioannis Kyriakou, will discuss the business aspects of the clean energy transition of the shipping industry and its wider implications.

Event is supported by:

• The Costas Grammenos Centre for Shipping, Trade and Finance
• Bayes’ Faculty of Finance
• Faculty of Actuarial Science and Insurance
• UK National Clean Maritime Research Hub
• Greek Energy Forum

International shipping is the backbone of the global economy, facilitating over 80% of world trade. However, it accounts for nearly 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions which will continue to rise without further action. As such, environmental regulations are becoming increasingly strict.

Key challenges to a timely transition include the development and deployment of sustainable technologies, the availability and costs of alternative fuels, optimisation of vessel design and maritime operations, as well as upgraded crew skills and safety concerns. While scaling up investment across all these fronts is crucial, the net-zero transition entails rising costs for ship owners and operators, charterers, and ultimately, for trade and the final consumer.

This event will present recent findings from pioneering research conducted at Bayes on the economic, financial, and insurance aspects of shipping’s net-zero transition. A panel comprising ship owners and financiers, senior market analysts, and insurance experts will provide industry insights into the transition and its business and economic implications. Bayes is a core member of the UK National Clean Maritime Research Hub, leading on the "Advances in maritime operations, exploitation of digitalisation and green finance” theme of the project. The conducted research has been informing both industry and policy makers.

Panellists

Ahmad Abou Merhi, Executive Director and Head of Portfolio Management, Pelagic Partners

Ahmad Abou Merhi is the Executive Director and Head of Portfolio Management of Pelagic Partners. He is a second generation ship owner through his family-owned Abou Merhi Group, a diverse shipping group with a history of over 30 years. Ahmad was also involved in closing numerous high-calibre deals within the global shipping & offshore sector as a Strategic & Commercial Advisor at Société Générale.

Ahmad is currently pursuing a Ph.D. with focus on Alternative Investments & Private Equity at Bayes Business School London (previously known as Cass Business School). He also holds a BSc (Hons) in Accounting & Finance and an MSc in Shipping, Trade & Finance from the same business school.

Mary Irene Alexandrakis, Head of Sustainability Strategy and Compliance, Borealis Maritime

Mary serves as Head of Sustainability Strategy and Compliance at Borealis Maritime, a London-based investment and asset management firm specialising in maritime assets. She joined Borealis in 2022 in Investment Management. Previously with DVB Bank SE in the Corporate Finance Group since 2012 and Citigroup Investment Banking, covering the Energy sector. She holds a BSc in Accounting & Finance from the Athens University of Economics & Business (AUEB) and an MSc in Transportation (ex. Ocean Systems Management) from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Andrew Mackenzie, Head of Claims, Clearwater UW Limited

Andrew Mackenzie MSc, FCII is a Chartered Insurer of the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) and is an Associate of the Association of Average Adjusters. Having worked in marine insurance claims for over 13 years within the Lloyd's and London insurance market, as the Head of Claims for a Lloyd's and London market Managing General Agent (MGA), he actively handles and has a firm understanding of a wide variety of classes of insurance business, including marine hull, marine war, marine cargo, and associated marine liabilities.

Andrew is pursuing an Executive PhD at Bayes Business School and he holds an MSc in Insurance and Risk Management from the same school.

Alastair Stevenson, Head of Digital Analytics, SSY

Alastair Stevenson is the Head of SSY's Digital Analytics group in London, undertaking detailed analysis of shipping markets, including maritime decarbonisation, for the world's largest independent shipbroker. He has over 25 years experience trading and analysing commodity and freight markets, both in public and private sector roles.

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