When:
17th March 2026 - 18th March 2026
Bookings:
Where:
Eugenides Foundation, 387 Syngrou Avenue, Palaio Faliro, Athens, 17564
Learn from Real-World Ship Efficiency Projects
Since 2008, global seaborne trade has grown nearly 60%—yet emissions have remained flat. Behind this achievement are naval architects, shipowners, operators, and their partners, who have implemented technical and operational measures to cut fuel use and reduce emissions. At the inaugural Ship Energy Efficiency Conference, these industry leaders will share real-world case studies, lessons learned, and measurable outcomes from successful efficiency projects.
As the maritime industry transitions to alternative fuels, reducing fuel consumption is essential for cutting costs, lowering emissions, and maximising energy savings. With no simple way to determine what truly works, this conference will explore proven solutions, practical results, and best practices, providing attendees with insights and strategies drawn directly from shipowner-led projects and industry experience.
What to Expect
- Shipowner-Led Case Studies – Hear directly from shipowners and operators about projects they have implemented, with data-backed results and lessons learned.
- Practical Insights & Best Practices – Discover what works in operational efficiency, technical solutions, and fleet optimisation.
- Collaborative Perspectives – Learn how shipowners, technology providers, and shipyards work together to achieve measurable efficiency gains.
- Innovation in Action – Explore solutions across hydrodynamics, coatings, hotel load optimisation, wind-assisted propulsion, digitalisation, and operations.
- Future-Focused Thinking – Understand emerging trends and technologies shaping the next decade of energy-efficient shipping.
Preliminary Program
Registration Fees:
- RINA Member: 250€ (Early Rate available until 27 February 2026) / 350€ (Full Rate)
- Non Member: 400€ (Early Rate available until 27 February 2026) / 500€ (Full Rate)
- Student*: Free
- Author: 100€
- Additional Author: 300€
- Concession (Recent Graduate and Retired): 150€
* Please note: Students registering for this event must provide a valid RINA Membership Number. If you are not yet a student member, please find details on how to join RINA here.
(All prices are ex-VAT)
Tuesday 17th March 2026
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Tuesday 17th March 2026 |
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08.30-09.00 |
Coffee and Registration |
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09.00-09.10 |
Welcome Address, The Royal Institution of Naval Architects |
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09.10-09.20 |
Keynote Address: Dimitris Fafalios, President/Director, Fafalios Shipping SA |
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Session 1: Ship Energy Efficiency: From Concept to Implementation |
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09.20-09.40 |
Vessel Energy Performance Framework Lefteris Karaminas, American Bureau of Shipping |
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09.40-10.00 |
Delivering Net Zero in Practice - Perspectives on a Practical and Realistic Pathway Towards Net Zero. Erik Hjortland, Odfjell Management AS |
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10.00-10.30 |
Panel Discussion:
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10.30-11.00 |
Coffee Break |
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Session 2: Hydrodynamic Efficiency Technologies |
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11.00-11.20 |
Cost-Efficient Hydrodynamic Solutions, High Fleet-Wide Impact |
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11.20-11.40 |
OceanGlide Air Lubrication Performance Insights from Kumiai Navigation (Pte) Ltd Bram van Puijenbroek, Alfa Laval |
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11.40-12.00 |
Panel Discussion:
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12.00-13.00 |
Lunch |
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Session 3: Coatings |
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13.00-13.20 |
The future of antifouling: Are antifouling biocides needed? |
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13.20-13.40 |
A case for premium hull coating solutions and how to monitor their performance Stephen Brown, Shell Shipping & Maritime |
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13.40-14.00 |
From Hull Roughness to Fuel Savings: Quantifying the Impact of Ultra-Low-Friction Coatings |
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14.00-14.20 |
TBC |
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14.20-15.00 |
Panel Discussion:
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15.00-15.30 |
Coffee Break |
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Session 4: Hotel Load Optimisation |
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15.20-15.40 |
Hotel load optimisation on cruise ships: a must for our decarbonisation journey! Jean-Charles Audouin, Carnival |
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15.40-16.00 |
Boosting fuel efficiency through electrification and hybrid propulsion Antonis Trakakis, RINA |
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16.00-16.30 |
Panel Discussion:
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16.30-17.00 |
General Discussion |
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17.00-19.00 |
Drinks Reception |
Wednesday 18th March 2026
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Wednesday 18th March 2026 |
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08.30-08.50 |
Coffee and Registration |
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08.50-09.00 |
Welcome Address, The Royal Institution of Naval Architects |
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Session 1: Wind |
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09.00-09.20 |
Savings Assessment on the Ro-Ro Ville de Bordeaux with eSAILs by Numerical Modeling Supported with Operational Data Lisa Martínez, bound4blue and Camille Blayo, Bureau Veritas Solutions |
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09.20-09.40 |
Wind Assisted Propulsion System – An Operator Perspective Sylvain Julien, Berge Bulk |
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09.40-10.10 |
Panel Discussion:
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10.10-10.40 |
Coffee |
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Session 2: Digitalisation |
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10.40-11.00 |
Improving the energy efficiency of existing vessels Søren Vinther Hansen, VesOPS |
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11.00-11.20 |
Precision Before Prediction: Raising the Bar for Maritime Analytics Frank Paleokrassas, Metis |
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11.20-11.40 |
TBC |
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12.00-12.40 |
Panel Discussion:
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12.40-13.30 |
Lunch |
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Session 3: Operations |
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13.30-13.50 |
Haris Zografakis, Blue Visby Services Ltd. |
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13.50-14.10 |
Practical Energy Efficiency Measures - A Shipping Company's Perspective |
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14.10-14.30 |
TBC |
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14.30-15.00 |
Panel Discussion:
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15.00-15.30 |
Coffee |
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Session 4: What is on the horizon |
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15.30-15.50 |
Practical approach to Cost-Benefit sharing Karina Kærvang Jensen, Maersk McKinney Moller Center |
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15.50-16.10 |
The future of fleet optimisation: from noon reports and high-frequency data to digital agents Serafeim Katsikas, ZeroNorth |
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16.10-16.30 |
Holistic improvement of energy efficiency and underwater radiated noise Chris Waddington, International Chamber of Shipping |
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16.30-17.00 |
Panel Discussion:
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17.00-17.30 |
Closing Remarks & Closure |
Supported by:
Meet our keynote speaker: dimitrios fafalios, president / director, fafalios shipping s.a.
Mr. Dimitrios Fafalios serves as President/Director of Fafalios Shipping S.A. since 2008.
From 1984 to 2008, Mr. Fafalios has held various positions in Fafalios Ltd. London, including Technical Manager, Technical Director with responsibilities for vessel Maintenance, Newbuildings, S&P, and Technical support for Chartering, Insurance, Post-Fixture and other departments.
He has worked closely with IMO, IACS, the major classification societies and international shipping organisations to develop rules for the safety of ships and environmental protection of the seas. Much of his work in the last 15 years has centred on the technical and regulatory aspects of greenhouse gas emissions reduction from shipping.
Mr. Fafalios has served as Chairman of Intercargo from January 2019 to December 2024, having been Chairman of its Technical Committee since 2009 and one of the first members of the Technical Committee since 1999. He was given the title of Intercargo Honorary Chairman from January 2025.
Mr. Fafalios is also Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Union of Greek Shipowners (UGS) since February 2022. In addition, he is the Chairman of the Maritime Safety and Marine Environment Protection Committee of the UGS. He has been a Member of UGS since 2015.
Mr. Fafalios holds senior positions on ABS, DNV, HCS, ICS, INTERCARGO, LR, NK and UGS committees. Mr. Fafalios has attended IMO on behalf of the Hellenic Republic.
Mr. Fafalios received his BSc in Naval Architecture and Ship Building from Newcastle upon Tyne University in 1980 and MSc in Ocean Systems Management from MIT in 1982.
In 2023, he received an honorary PhD from the University of the Aegean, Department of Maritime and Business Management.
hear from:
Join leading shipowners, operators, and industry partners as they share real-world efficiency projects, lessons learned, and measurable outcomes. Presenters include representatives from Odfjell, d’Amico, Carnival, Pavimar, Berge Bulk, Shell, Alfa Laval, bound4blue, Bureau Veritas, RINA, ZeroNorth, the Maersk McKinney Moller Center, the International Chamber of Shipping, and VesOPS, and many more.
Every session features projects directly implemented by shipowners and operators, providing practical insights and data-backed results that attendees can learn from and inform their own operations.
Conference Committee:
- Edwin Pang, RINA IMO Committee Chair & Founder of Arcsilea
- Tom Strang, RINA Environment Committee Chair
- Dr Stefanos Chatzinikolaou, Assistant Professor, Department of Maritime Studies, University of Piraeus
- Dimitris Monioudis, Chairman INTERCARGO Technical Committee
- Zafeiris Syrras, Chief Operating Officer, Pavimar
- Stefano Scarpa, Director – Maritime Decarbonisation, ABL Group
- Panos Kourkountis, Technical Director of Sea Traders and chairman of MARine TEChnical Managers Association, MARTECMA
- Professor Nikos Ventikos, School of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, National Technical University of Athens
If you have any questions to the Conference Committee, please address them to the Committee Coordinator Rusne Ramonaite at
Topics:
- Hydrodynamic efficiency technologies
- Coatings
- Hotel load optimisation
- Wind
- Digitalisation
- Operations
- What is on the horizon
Registration:
Cancellations received in writing up to two weeks before the event takes place will be subject to administration charge of 200€. Cancellations received after this time cannot be accepted and are subject to the full event fee. Delegates may be substituted; however, this must be sent in writing and confirmed with the RINA Events Team. It may be necessary for reasons beyond our control to alter the content and timing of the programme. In the unlikely event that RINA cancels the event for any reason, our liability is limited to the return of the registration fee.
Sponsorship Opportunities:
RINA events provide the perfect opportunity for effective and highly targeted marketing. Sponsorship and exhibition opportunities exist for all of our events. If you have any questions regarding the event or wish to discuss the available sponsorship/exhibition opportunities, please get in touch with the RINA Events team at
Personal Data:
Please note that personal data, such as name, company, and job title will be collected and provided in the delegate list format to the event attendees. No contact details will be included in the delegate list. If you would like to not be included in the list for any reason, please inform the RINA Events Team at
RINA events code of behaviour:
The Royal Institution of Naval Architects is proud to have a diverse membership and aims for all members, guests, and attendees to enjoy their time at RINA events. Just as we expect others to treat us courteously, we should also extend courtesy to fellow members, guests, and attendees.
If any attendee at a RINA event feels that another’s behaviour towards them is unwelcome, disrespectful, or undignified, they should inform the RINA staff member or get in touch with us at
Anyone deemed to be acting discourteously towards other attendees will be asked to leave the event.
Filming/Photography:
Please note that filming/photography will be taking place at this event for promotional and archival purposes. The photographs and recordings made are likely to appear on our website and social media. If you would prefer not to be photographed please let the Marketing team know at .