Mr. Christopher Chatterton is a seasoned international executive with over 25 years of experience spanning energy, shipping, transportation, renewables, and chemicals across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Since joining the Global Centre for Green Fuels (GCGF) in 2024, he has brought deep domain knowledge and commercial leadership to the Centre’s mission of accelerating the transition to sustainable marine fuels.

At GCGF, Mr. Chatterton draws upon his extensive track record, including his tenure as Chief Operating Officer of the Methanol Institute, where he led global market development for methanol as a marine fuel and engaged closely with regulatory bodies such as the IMO, ISO, and national authorities to shape alternative fuel policy. Earlier, he served as Director for Group DF International, a vertically integrated energy and chemicals conglomerate, managing assets on behalf of a European family office with an annual turnover exceeding USD 5bln.

Mr. Chatterton has led successful capital raises and exits across the energy and agri tech sectors, including three European IPOs. He remains active in the startup and innovation ecosystem as a founder, mentor, and board member, with a focus on sustainability, Scope 3 emissions management, and green infrastructure. Fluent in English, Russian, and Ukrainian, Mr. Chatterton has lived and worked extensively across Asia, including 12 years in Singapore, bringing a nuanced understanding of global markets. He holds a Global Executive MBA from HEC Paris and is a Certified Advisory Board Chairman.

Gireesh M Menon is the Managing Director of Aries Group of companies. Headquartered in Sharjah, the company established in 1998, now operates in 29 countries around the world. With interests in diversified fields like oil & gas, Shipping, event management, 3D animation, studios, theatres and film production, the group now has 76 companies in its portfolio. Mr. Menon is a Naval Architect by profession and has a degree in Naval Architecture from Cochin university, Masters in marine technology from Newcastle university, and also is an MBA Degree holder.

He has been at the forefront of many innovative designs, consultancy works and organizing events undertaken throughout his 22-year tenure with Aries Group. Leading a team of over 500+ engineering personnel, he has been instrumental in establishing Aries marine as one of the leading Engineering and design consultancy firm in the world, with expertise in a wide range of activities including Offshore Engineering, Naval Architecture, Surveys, Auditing, 3D scanning, Drone inspections, Subsea Engineering and much more. Under his leadership, the company has been involved in new build designs, retrofits and conversions of a wide variety of ship types including tankers, Cable ships, LNG ships, Rigs, offshore platforms and many more.

Dinesh Kumar Balraj is an experienced leader in Ship Management with over 22 years of experience in the maritime industry. He has a proven track record in producing quality business outcomes through dynamic Leadership, Strategic thinking, and Collaboration.

As the Head of Fleet Operations East at A.P.Moller-Maersk, Dinesh is responsible for managing a fleet of 185 vessels ensuring safe, reliable, and energy efficient operations, drawing upon his extensive background in various roles as a Chief engineer, Classification Surveyor, Fleet Superintendent and a Fleet Manager.

As a member of Fleet Management and Technology leadership team he drives strategic initiatives, cultural transformation, decarbonisation and operational excellence across teams.

Dinesh holds an executive MBA from Henley Business School and Masters in Maritime Studies from Nanyang Technological University.

Mr Pasumarthy Murthy serves as Vice President at Seatrium, and Head of Marine and Deepwater Technology, where he leads product development and oversees Global Design Centers. He plays a key role in designing offshore renewables, nearshore infrastructure, marine vessels, semi-submersibles, drillships, and floating production units. With two decades at Seatrium, he has guided teams in concept design, detail engineering, project support, and marketing. Mr Murthy holds patents in dry docking, modular floating platforms, and nearshore logistics. He earned his Master’s in Naval Architecture from Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, and a Bachelor’s from Andhra University, India. He is a member of SNAMES Singapore, serves on the Joint Working Group on Onshore Wind, and previously contributed to the Ammonia Bunkering Committee at the Singapore Chemical Industry Council.

Su Yin is a dynamic leader who thrives at the intersection of strategy, technology, and innovation. After a distinguished career in litigation in Singapore and Hong Kong, Su Yin transitioned into commercial roles in shipping and mining, where she honed her ability to navigate complex global markets, manage high-stakes negotiations, and drive transformative growth.

Now a partner at IBM, Su Yin leverages her cross functional expertise to deliver strategic technology solutions to clients across industry, with a particular focus AI strategy and governance. Known for her strategic, analytical rigor, collaborative mindset, and forward-thinking approach, Su Yin excels at aligning cutting-edge technologies with business objectives to unlock value and solve critical challenges in these vital sectors. A visionary leader with a passion for innovation, Su Yin combines her legal acumen, commercial insight, and strategic leadership skills to inspire teams, build lasting partnerships, and drive meaningful change. Whether addressing emerging trends in technology or leading conversations on industry transformation, Su Yin brings a unique blend of adaptability, problem-solving, and a people-first approach to every engagement. Su Yin is currently the Strategy & Transformation Leader for IBM Consulting, ASEAN, an Independent Director of Hafnia Limited (OSE: HAFNI/ NYSE: HAFN) and a Senior Advisor to the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation. She is also the co-founder of The Captain’s Table Maritime Innovation Challenge.

Lionel Seah has emerged as a key figure in the Asia-Pacific maritime technology sector, blending over a decade of strategic sales leadership with deep expertise in AI-driven risk management, compliance solutions, and maritime intelligence. His career has been defined by a relentless focus on leveraging technology, data, and automation to enhance operational resilience in an increasingly volatile global trade environment. Starting as an Maritime and offshore engineer, Lionel transitioned into maritime technology, where he became instrumental in shaping the APAC market. At MarineTraffic, the world’s largest ship-tracking platform utilizing AIS technology, he played a pivotal role in expanding the company’s regional presence, significantly growing its APAC book of business. His efforts helped lay the foundation for MarineTraffic’s acquisition by Kpler on February 15, 2023, after which he continued to drive the growth of Kpler’s Maritime Business Unit, leveraging his extensive network and industry expertise. Today, Lionel serves as Head of Commercial, APAC at Windward, a global leader in maritime AI analytics, GenAI, and agentic workflows. At Windward, he is at the forefront of integrating cutting-edge AI and automation solutions to help businesses navigate geopolitical risks, supply chain disruptions, and regulatory compliance challenges. Windward’s advancements in Generative AI (GenAI) and agentic workflows are transforming the maritime sector by enabling autonomous decision-making, predictive intelligence, and AI-powered workflow automation, providing customers with real-time, data-driven insights to optimize operations. With a track record of driving market expansion and unlocking new opportunities, Lionel continues to shape the future of maritime intelligence and AI-driven transformation in APAC, ensuring businesses stay ahead in an evolving global landscape.

Capt. Ashok is a highly qualified and experienced maritime professional, holding a Master Mariner's certificate, Dynamic Positioning Officer certification, and Marine Lead Auditor qualification. He also holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Copenhagen Business School.

As Regional Manager and Technical Advisor at BIMCO, Singapore, Ashok champions the interests of BIMCO members and stakeholders on technical aspects of maritime operations. His expertise is recognized internationally, as demonstrated by his role as Vice-Chair of the Advisory Committee at the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS). With over 24 years of experience in the maritime industry, Ashok is a recognized expert in the field.

His extensive seafaring career with A.P. Moller Maersk and shipping companies provided him with experience across a diverse range of vessel types, including container ships, car carriers, oil tankers (both crude and product), and notably, gas tankers (LPG and LNG). He also possesses expertise in the offshore sector, having served as Master and Senior Dynamic Positioning Officer (SDPO) on platform supply vessels and cable layers.

Jason Nangle is a seasoned expert in maritime recruitment and executive search, with over 15 years of experience spanning the global Shipping, Marine, Commodities, Offshore Renewables and Energy industries. In 2024, he founded Angle Recruitment, where he leads a dynamic team committed to securing top talent that drives business growth, transformation, and innovation worldwide.

Jason's maritime journey began at sea, working on cruise ships before transitioning to the aviation industry. In 2010, he returned to the maritime industry and embarked on his recruitment career in the UK. Jason’s dedication and expertise enabled him to progress through the ranks to the role of Managing Director for Asia Pacific. Throughout his career, Jason has successfully led senior executive and C-suite searches globally, collaborating with Boards of Directors and HR leaders across diverse maritime sectors. He is currently based in Singapore and has been in the country for over 12 years.

Deeply passionate about nurturing maritime careers and developing young talent, Jason frequently shares his insights on evolving industry demands, leadership expectations, and workforce trends

With almost two decades in marine insurance, James has seen the industry from every angle—broker, underwriter, and in house at a leading Ship Owner. During his career, James has worked with some of the biggest names in global shipping, helping them secure the right cover across every risk. Now heading the insurance function at Vanguard Tech, James is driving a new approach: smarter, more comprehensive marine insurance, paired with powerful risk management solutions.

As the Director of Commercial Operations for APAC at Veson Nautical, Giftson leads strategic initiatives and drives business development on the Maritime Commercial Solutions team at Veson. Giftson has over a decade of experience in the maritime and technology industries and is committed to advancing sustainability and digital transformation within the maritime industry.

Marcin Jurkun

Superintendent, Fleet Management Development Programme Eastern Pacific Shipping

Raymond is vastly experienced in the management of oil and chemical tankers, bulk, container, gas and offshore vessels. Raymond has been in the shipping industry for over 32 years, including 13 years at sea. He served on board NOL (Neptune Orient Lines) and exited as Master Mariner for AET (American Eagle Tankers). Having gained experience both in ship owning and ship management after moving to shore, he was also provided the opportunity to work with Class ABS.

Raymond is a Fellow of the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators (FSIArb), Nautical Institute of Malaysia and Singapore. He is a part of the DNV-GL, ABS, Lloyd’s Register Technical Committees, Korean Register Southeast Asia Committee, Shell Focus Group for the Asian Pacific Region, Heads up the Container Committee for Asia Pacific. Raymond is an alumni of NUS Singapore, Cambridge University and Malmo University of Sweden.

Joey Chua's professional odyssey embarked as a marine engineer within the esteemed Republic of Singapore Navy, laying the groundwork for a diverse and impactful trajectory within the maritime industry. Presently serving as the Director of Digital and IT Transformation at Gulf Marine, he assumes a pivotal role in shaping the organization's technological landscape. Joey is entrusted with overseeing the comprehensive IT strategy, collaborating closely with the leadership team as they navigate the challenges and opportunities of their Digital Transformation journey.

Before his tenure at Gulf Marine, Joey distinguished himself as the Head of IT for SeaTeam Management and OSM Maritime Ship Management, showcasing his versatility and leadership acumen in steering IT functions within prominent entities in the maritime sector. His commitment to fostering Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is evident in his advocacy for inclusive workplace cultures.

Joey's influence extends beyond his organizational role, as he holds the position of Vice Chair in the Digitalisation Committee at the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) and serves as a council member to the SSA. These roles underscore his dedication to advancing industry standards and practices, particularly in the realms of digitalization and cybersecurity.

A fervent believer in leveraging technology and cybersecurity for operational advantage, Joey's strategic vision significantly contributes to Gulf Marine's resilience and innovation. Outside the professional arena, he maintains a harmonious balance, embodying an active lifestyle through regular visits to the gym. This commitment to physical well-being aligns with his philosophy of cultivating a clear and focused mind to navigate the complexities of his multifaceted responsibilities.

Capt. Tanuj Balani is a distinguished maritime professional with a career spanning over 25+ years in the global shipping industry. As the Managing Director of Stag Marine, he leads the company’s operations across Dubai, Singapore, and India, providing shipowners and managers with comprehensive marine compliance services, including audits, SIRE, RightShip, TMSA, DryBMS, training, crewing, and 24/7 remote operations surveillance. Under his leadership, Stag Marine has earned a reputation as a trusted marine compliance partner worldwide.

In addition to his work at Stag Marine, Capt. Balani founded iSail Marine, a recruitment company aimed at guiding maritime professionals into shore-based careers. Through innovative recruitment and tailored training programs, iSail Marine bridges the gap between maritime professionals and organizations seeking top talent.

Capt. Vikas Pandey is a veteran of the Maritime sector and a successful entrepreneur.

He has 17 years of expertise in the shipping industry and 11 years of entrepreneurial experience in the Maritime sector, advanced technologies, telecommunication and biotechnology.

He is a thought leader and an advisor to multiple Web2 and Web3 projects

Born in Italy and raised in the UK, Andrea holds a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, complemented by an MBA. With over 20 years of international experience across diverse sectors—including automotive, heavy machinery, rail, and marine propulsion—he has developed deep expertise in both engineering and strategic leadership.

His career has spanned the UK, USA, and Switzerland, where he has held key engineering and management roles. Since 2021, he has been serving as the General Manager for Business Development at WinGD, where he is responsible for business intelligence, market research, and the development of market strategies driving the company’s global growth.

An experienced maritime professional with more than 30 years in shipping industry, an environmental evangelist, and expert in energy management and sustainability within the maritime industry. Currently, he serves as the General Manager of Fleet Sustainability at Hafnia, a member of the BW Group. In this role, he oversees fleet performance and sustainability, playing a pivotal role in charting a pathway for Hafnia to achieve the IMO’s 2030 target by 2028. His responsibilities also include ensuring compliance with all existing and upcoming environmental regulations. He was instrumental in Hafnia's success with Sustainability linked loans.

He joined BW Group in 2001 and have a rich history of maritime experience, having sailed as a Chief Engineer onboard vessel. In 2011, he transitioned ashore as an Energy Management Project Advisor, where he developed a fuel consumption reduction framework for the Group. His journey reflects a deep commitment to advancing sustainability and environmental stewardship in the maritime sector.

Expert in the field of marine environment protection services for 36 years. Master Degree in Chemical Engineering from Metsovio Technical University of Athens. IMS Lead Auditor, Speaker in various International Conferences related to general environmental subjects. With more than 65 special courses and seminars in the field. Project management, Oil/HNS Spill Response & Floating Reception Facilities complying with MARPOL 73/78

Varun is an experienced marine engineer currently serving as the Fleet Operations Director at Columbia Shipmanagement, Singapore, where he oversees all aspects of ship management operations for the Columbia Group across the Asia region.

His prior roles include notable tenures with Maersk and Shell, contributing to his extensive expertise in the maritime sector. He holds a Master’s degree in International Maritime Law and is also a member of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers, Singapore.

Varun is deeply passionate about maritime technology and sustainability. As part of his postgraduate studies, he completed a dissertation on Autonomous Shipping, highlighting his forward-thinking approach to innovation in the maritime industry.

Yosra Hoveizavy is a maritime entrepreneur and software innovator with over two decades of industry experience. She founded SeaMaster, an integrated ship management software that achieved DNV and NK Classification Society approvals and significant international market success. A former four-year IMO Goodwill Maritime Ambassador, Yosra is recognized for her leadership in maritime digitalization and advocating for industry advancements. She was also a top 20 finalist for the Seatrade Maritime 20 Under 40 award, underscoring her impact

Capt. Hari is currently with Howden Speciality as Chief Commercial Officer specializing in Marine Cargo and Logistics whereby, in tandem with the Howden vision, he uses his vast experience in the maritime and insurance field towards adding meaningful value to the industry.

After 17 years of sailing including commanding various vessels, Hari came ashore and headed the Commercial and Operations department of a reputable shipping company which owned and operated bulk carriers, offshore vessels, tugs and barges. Hari then moved on to help start-up the operations of a leading offshore company which owned and operated several state-of-the-art AHTSVs and PSVs. Hari then spent the next 16 years with The Shipowners’ Club in various capacities from overseeing the development and growth of the Loss Prevention Department in Singapore to becoming the Regional Head – Business Relations whereby he enhanced deeper engagement with key stakeholders to improve safety awareness and risk management ethos across the industry. Hari also spearheaded the Club’s Seafarer health and wellbeing initiatives Hari was awarded the “Outstanding Individual Contribution to Safety at Sea” by the MPA Singapore in Dec 2020. He continues to work closely with the MPA and other regional Flag administrations and shipping bodies towards improving the image and culture of shipping in the region.

Hari also contributes to the industry as Deputy Chairman of the MPA's National Maritime Safety at Sea Council (NMSSC) as well as the MPA- Harbour Craft Safety working group. Hari also represents the Singapore Shipping Association on their WSH Marine Industries (MI) Committee. Hari is the Chairperson of the Nautical Institute (Singapore) and also a Fellow of the Nautical Institute’s Main Governing Council.

He is also the founding Chairperson and a Fellow of the Company of the Master Mariners of India (CMMI) Singapore Branch. Hari is also a Member of the Singapore Branch of The Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers UK (MICS).

David Foo joined the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore in July 2017 and served in various senior management roles, and assumed the appointment of Deputy Chief Executive for Operations and Technology in April 2025.

He oversees all maritime and port operations and technology initiatives under MPA’s purview, and is accountable for operations transformation and planning, engineering, hydrographic and marine services, IT and OT systems as well as cybersecurity and data governance.

Prior to joining MPA, he served in the Republic of Singapore Navy for more than 27 years and held various senior staff and command appointments, including in the submarine squadron.

A seasoned maritime engineering professional with over 32 years of experience both at sea and ashore. From 1992 to 2003, he served onboard vessels in various roles, including four years as Chief Engineer.

In 2004, he began his shore-based career with DNV Mumbai as a surveyor. Over the years, he has held a wide range of key responsibilities within DNV, including roles such as Customer Service Manager, Survey Coordinator, Trainer for new surveyors, Quality Manager, Report Verifier, Invoice Approver, Complaint Handler, Auditor, Flag Liaison Officer, Maritime Business Developer in India, and District Manager of Vizag.

Currently, he leads the DATE Centre in Singapore, managing a dedicated team responsible for handling DATE cases, performing remote surveys, and coordinating with other DATE centres to deliver 24/7 technical support to clients across the globe.

Capt Chatur Wahyu embarked on a sea career in 1987 and served as a Master in 1999. He joined Singapore Maritime Academy as a Lecturer in 2000 and received the Excellence in Teaching Award from Singapore Polytechnic in 2005. He obtained his LLM (Maritime Law) from the University of Southampton, England, in 2007. He served as an Elected Member of the Board of Studies of Singapore Polytechnic from 2012 to 2016. He is accredited as an Associate Mediator for the Singapore Mediation Centre (SMC) in 2013 and currently sits in its Panel of Maritime Mediators. He had mediated numerous disputes at the Small Claim Tribunal in the State Courts and Syariah Court on a pro bono basis.

He is appointed as Director of SMA and Deputy Senior Director of Engineering (BEM) in Apr 2023. He is currently serving as a member of the National Maritime Safety at Sea Council (NMSSC), WSH Council (Marine Industries) Committee and Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI) Technology Advisory Panel. He was conferred the title Honorary Fellow by the Singapore Nautical Institute (SNI) in Nov 2024. He was invited to join the Singapore Delegation as a speaker and panellist at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan (Nov 2024), and at the IMO HTW11 Meeting in London, UK (Feb 2025), to showcase the academy’s leading role in training on alternative marine fuels.

Philippe studied International Business at the Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Philippe subsequently joined the BP Group in Sales Support for the Castrol marine division, eventually advancing to a Key Account Manager role leading strategic B2B sales across multiple regions. He then co-founded Closelink to lead the digital transformation of the maritime industry. Today, Closelink operates internationally as a leading maritime procurement platform, supporting shipping companies with solutions for cost optimization, process automation, supply chain resilience, and decarbonization.

Akhil Dhawan is a seasoned maritime professional with 20 years of experience, evenly split between sea-going and shore-based leadership roles. As Director – Procurement and Marine Services at Wallem Group, he leads global procurement operations and third-party crewing services, ensuring efficient vessel operations and high-quality supply chain solutions.

With a strong track record in operational leadership and business development, he thrives on driving change, empowering diverse teams, and delivering sustainable value to clients, seafarers, and the wider maritime industry.

Ms. Akanksha Batura Pai is the Executive Director at Sinoda Shipping Agency and Strategy Head at RAKS International Pte Ltd and TransAsia Marine Services Pte Ltd, where she leads strategic growth, partnerships, and digital transformation. She also serves as Director at SeaMind Blue Ocean, advancing decarbonization in maritime and agribusiness.

Recognized as Singapore’s Goodwill Maritime Ambassador by the IMO, Akanksha is a sought-after speaker at international maritime forums. She holds leadership roles in key industry bodies including the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA), Mission to Seafarers, Nautical Institute (Singapore), and Maritime Business Society. She also strengthens diplomatic ties as Liaison Officer at the Hon. Consulate-General of Malta to Singapore.

Akanksha has been widely recognized for her contributions, including being named to the Top 100 Women in Shipping (2024) and receiving the NUS Outstanding Young Alumni Award (2023). She holds multiple degrees from the National University of Singapore and a Professional Doctorate from the European International University. A passionate volunteer, she supports various community causes and alumni initiatives.