BW Group Chairman Andreas Sohmen-Pao and Chair of Odfjell SE Laurence Odfjell, were unanimous in their support of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). They were both speaking at an NBAS Special Insight Panel on Wednesday 28 October.

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together”: From left to right. Laurence Odfjell, chairman of Odfjell SE, Andreas Sohmen-Pao, chairman of BW Group, and Cristina Saenz de Santa Maria is regional manager South East Asia, Pacific & India at DNV GL.

Recently, the United Nations body IMO has received criticism for not being able to cap off nor reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions. To illustrate, both environmental organizations and parts of the industry were critical to the outcome of IMO’s latest intersessional meeting 19-23 October.

Also read: The Intersessional Working Group on Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships (IMO)
Join next NBAS Special insight panel 19 Nov: Decarbonize – stay profitable, hosted in partnership with The Norwegian Embassy in Singapore, Maritime and Port Authority Singapore and DNVGL.

Both Odfjell and Sohmen-Pao, however, gave their full support to IMO.

Odfjell, on his side, clearly emphasised the importance of stakeholders working together to set achievable targets. Similarly, Sohmen-Pao quoted and paraphrased an African proverb in his praise of IMO.

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together”, Sohmen-Pao quoted. He then stated that the great power and beauty of IMO is the global regulation. Thus, we can go far because the whole industry go together.

Also read: Odfjell and Sohmen-Pao back IMO on reducing GHG emissions from shipping (Seatrade Maritime)

Media Coverage

The two titans of the shipping industry, owning in total more than 500 vessels, debated a wide range of topics during a 60 mins debate on the future of shipping. Among the topics that got media attention were the discussions on nuclear fuel and autonomous shipping.

Splash 247: Why nuclear power would be catastrophic for the shipping industry (Splash247)

TradeWinds: Andreas Sohmen-Pao: Nuclear option could prove catastrophic for shipping (For subscribers)

TradeWinds: Odfjell chairman slams autonomous ships as a low priority for shipping (For subscribers)

The TV-format debate was hosted in Hong Bao studios. First, H.E Anita Nergaard, Norways ambassador to Singapore, gave the welcoming address. The following discussion was moderated by NBAS-president, Leonard Stornes. Also in the panel were regional manager for APAC in DNVGL, Cristina Saenz de Santa Maria and director of Innovation Norway in Singapore, Paul Kastmann.

Relive the debate here: Where is the shipping industry heading? NBAS Special insights panel 28 October 2020.

This event was sponsored by the Norwegian Embassy in Singapore, Innovation Norway, Simonsen Vogt Wiig, Kongsberg Maritime and Flokk.