Top experts will address the latest issues facing tanker owners and operators, especially highlighting cybercrime, at the second annual Maritime Standard Tanker Conference, to be held next month in Dubai, UAE.

The event will take place October 24, at the Grosvenor House Hotel.

Cybercrime is a matter of growing international concern within the tanker shipping sector and will be highlighted as a key topic for this year’s event, said a statement.

Trevor Pereira, managing director, said: “We have received phenomenal support from the shipping industry for this conference, including the backing of the world’s biggest shipping organisation, Baltic and International Maritime Council (Bimco).”

“One of the highlights of the day is sure to be the presentation by Phil Tinsley, Bimco’s maritime security manager. This will be an informative session and a timely reminder that cyber security should be on everyone's agenda,” he said.

Tinsley will illustrate the potential threats from cyber incidents and give advice about how to mitigate those risks through awareness and training, it said.

Bimco’s recently updated industry guidelines will be explained, and attendees will be given an insight into future regulations which will require action by the industry from 2021 onwards, as part of ships’ Safety Management Systems, it added.
    
Tinsley said: “The recent NotPetya ransomware attack and the spoofing of GPS signals in the Black Sea illustrate cybercrime is on the increase in all sectors of the maritime industry.”

“Companies need to be aware of how to handle phishing emails, and to have policies in place to ensure operational and information technologies are separated on board,” he added.

The conference will also feature some of the most high profile and respected names within the region’s tanker and petrochemicals business.

The keynote speech will be given by Sheikh Talal Al Khaled Al Sabah, chief executive of the Kuwait Oil Tanker Company (KOTC), who will reveal plans to expand and upgrade its tanker fleet, as well as initiatives to protect the environment, said a statement.

Other confirmed speakers at The Maritime Standard Tanker Conference include: Eduardo Fonseca Ward, ambassador, Republic of Panama; Ali Shehab, deputy CEO, Kuwait Oil Tanker Company; Chris Peters, chief executive, Emirates Ship Investment Company; Sanjay Mehta, chairman, S One Capital; Gaurav Moolwaney, executive director, Standard Chartered Bank; Petros Doukas, former Deputy Minister of Finance and Foreign Affairs, Greece; Tarik Al Junaidi, chief executive, Oman Shipping Company; and Omar Abu Omar, president, maritime and operations, Gulf Navigation Holding.

They will be joined by experts in specific operational sectors, such as ship management, communications, ship repair, classification and security, with Captain Patnaik, director and CEO, international shipping and logistics; Roger Harfouch, regional director, Marlink Communications; Dr Ruanthi De Silva, chief executive, SCM Plus; Thomas Kriwat, CEO, Mercmarine Group; Lakshmi Janarthanan, commercial director, Drydocks World Dubai; Ralph Becker, regional business development manager, DNV GL; and Katherine Yakunchenkova, general manager, Al Safina Security, all confirmed to speak.

Pereira added: “This is quite simply the finest assembly of the best known names in the region's tanker trade and related industries. We hope to add a few more high profile speakers in the next few weeks, so watch this space.”

The quality of The Maritime Standard Tanker Conference has also won the support of several leading organisations as sponsors and supporters.

Alongside Bimco, these include the Dubai Council for Marine and Maritime Industries (DCMMI); the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST); the Organisation of Islamic Shipowners Association (OISA), the Nautical Institute; The Indian National Ship Owners’ Association (INSA); The Ceylon Association of Shipping Agents (CASA); The Mission to Seafarers; Pakistan Ship Agent’s Association (PSAA) and the Women in Shipping and Transport Association (Wista), it stated. – TradeArabia News Service