Ship connectivity, smart data and cybersecurity will be central themes on the agenda at the fifth SHIPPINGInsight Fleet Optimization Conference & Exhibition. The annual maritime technology forum and trade show will take place at the Stamford Marriott Hotel & Spa in Stamford, Conn., October 18-19.
 
“The confluence of high-capacity satellite bandwidth and new ship analytics programs is enabling unprecedented capabilities for actively managing ships at sea to improve efficiencies in operation and reduce costs,” said SHIPPINGInsight co-director Jim Rhodes. “Ship managers are now able to extract actionable data from ship sensors and systems to identify trends and anomalies and make smarter business decisions for optimizing their assets. On the other hand, greater connectivity creates more points of vulnerability to cyber attacks. That’s why we’ve chosen to feature these subjects prominently on the agenda at SHIPPINGInsight 2016.”
 
On October 18, a session on “Connected Ships and Cybersecurity” will be kicked off with a keynote speech from Esa Jokioinen, Head of Blue Ocean Team, Rolls-Royce. Panel speakers will include senior executives from Inmarsat, Iridium, World-Link Communications, Marlink, Intelsat, BlueTide Communications, NCC Group, iMarine Software, Kongsberg Digital, Panasonic and Kymeta. The panel discussions will be followed by an open-discussion roundtable of experts on the risks and solutions for cybersecurity.
 
The following day will feature a session on “Big Data/Smart Data and Shipping Intelligence,” with Frank Coles, CEO of Transas as keynoter. Companies represented on the panels will include Hempel, Siemens, Weather Routing, ShipTracks, Accuritas Global Solutions, ShipNet AS, Rolls-Royce, Eagle Bulk Shipping and Herberg Engineering GmbH. In addition, there will be a roundtable on “Automated Ships: What Is the Future?” in which experts will debate the feasibility of greater automation in ship operations.
 
“We have a powerful lineup of speakers, panelists and roundtable participants from major shipping companies and technology suppliers, addressing the timely issues that will affect the shipping industry in the coming decade,” said Frank Soccoli, conference co-director. “In addition to the speeches, panels and roundtables, we will have more than 12 hours of networking events across the two days to provide ample opportunities for maritime professionals to engage with their customers, suppliers and industry colleagues in an informal setting.”