Ships have been trading in international waters since times immemorial. Before the advent of aviation, ships were the only reliable means of transportation for interocean or intercontinental trade. Even today, 90% of global trade is dependent on shipping. Maritime supply chains play a crucial role in global trade, connecting producers, manufacturers, and consumers across the world through the transportation of goods by sea. However, these supply chains can also be vulnerable to disruptions that can have significant impacts on businesses, including freight rates, and consumers. During the pandemic, when the rest of the world had come to a standstill for a brief period, cargo ships and seafarers still carried on with their jobs.

The operator of a ship is tasked with safely performing a challenging job at the highest level of efficiency. The owner is responsible for maintaining costs to maximize profitability, coupled with an adherence to safety for crew and the environment. Data monitoring and collection provide the raw material to drive fuel efficiencies at all levels. The operational decisions made on a daily basis – how to plan and conduct a voyage, perform regular maintenance, monitor fuel consumption efficiencies and comply with regulations – impact all outcomes. Accurate vessel performance evaluation is essential for continuous up-to-date Fuel Oil Consumption (FOC) prediction, hull and propeller cleaning decisions and any assessment of hull/propeller adaptations. The gradual reduction in vessel performance over time is primarily due to the fouling of the hull and occasionally underperformance of the propulsion installation.

The above and more, will be discussed at the 1st CSN  Greece Maritime Supply Chain and Vessels Performance Forum “Navigating the Complexities of Maritime Supply Chain and Vessels Performance Management”. The forum will take place on the 14th of March in Athens  at the Stavros Niarchos Cultural Foundation Centre – Lighthouse.

The forum is under the auspices of the Propeller Club and supported by HELMEPA, WISTA Hellas, AMMITEC and the Cyprus Marine Club.

Attendance is free of charge for all employees of shipping and shipping-related organisations in Greece, but we welcome anyone who wants to contribute to the charity foundation supported by the conference by indicating it at the registration.