Christopher J Wiernicki, ABS Chairman and CEO, detailed the challenges and opportunities of the energy transition in shipping, speaking in Singapore at the inaugural Seatrium Visiting Professorship Lecture
Wiernicki said: “People working together, embracing change and uncertainty, learning to make innovation their friend and managing risk decisions based on data will be the jet fuel we need to get to net zero by 2050.”
At the event, Wiernicki set out the industry’s decarbonisation pathways, analysing the regulatory and technology landscape and explored how data and systems would be likely to transform shipping into a multidimensional industry. He outlined how this change would in turn demand an entirely new skill set emphasising collaboration, shared responsibility and continuous learning.
Wiernicki continued: “People, not technology are the real heroes, but technology will impact the talent equation. Today’s talent equation couples technology and people with continuous learning models to develop leaders who have systems and design thinking skills and greater strategic perspective centered around technical feasibility, economic viability and social sustainability. The industry will need to invest in this training and continue to invest in you.”
The Seatrium Professorship series at the National University of Singapore College of Design and Engineering looks to attract top talent from the energy transition and sustainability sectors to Singapore to promote knowledge transfer and support development of innovative technology and processes. Wiernicki was addressing students at the university as well as industry professionals.
Speaking to the students present, Wiernicki concluded: “The challenge and the opportunity I have mapped out tonight is yours. Meeting this challenge – a task fundamental to the sustainability not only of our industry but our planet – is going to be your job. The training you receive at this fine institution will be critical to equipping you with the skills you will need to deliver on the decarbonisation promises we are making today. These are the tools you will need if you are to develop and harness technology, devise smarter regulations and implement more efficient operations to unlock a cleaner, safer and more sustainable industry. We are all relying on you – for our industry, our environment and all of us. So, no pressure. I wish you the best in your adventure – we’re counting on you.”
Image: Christopher J Wiernicki, ABS Chairman and CEO, speaking at the inaugural Seatrium Visiting Professorship Lecture (Credit: National University Singapore)
