The Propulsion & Future Fuels 2025 Conference Programme
Powering shipping’s emission-cutting ambitions
Join global maritime leaders in Hamburg for two impactful days of insight, innovation, and discussion around the future of sustainable shipping.
This year’s conference tackles the most urgent topics in alternative fuels and vessel design, with expert sessions exploring ammonia’s potential and safety concerns, hydrogen and fuel cells’ technical and commercial readiness, and how ship design is evolving to accommodate new fuel types. The agenda also examines the role of bio-LNG and e-LNG in meeting regulations, shares real-world lessons on methanol, and questions whether biofuels are a long-term solution or a short-term fix. Additional sessions look at the challenge of scaling up wind propulsion and the feasibility of onboard carbon capture in a complex regulatory landscape.
Hear from C-suite leaders, regulators and technical experts, and connect with peers at the forefront of maritime innovation. Don’t miss the Motorship Awards and two days of crucial conversation driving the energy transition.
Technical Visit to be annouced soon.
Day 1 Tuesday 25th November 2025
| 08:00 | Coffee Registration |
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09:00-09:15 |
Chairmans Welcome |
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09:15-09:25 |
DNV Gold Sponsor Welcome |
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09:25-09:40 |
Keynote Address: TBC |
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09:40-09:55 |
Keynote Address: TBC |
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09:55-10:35 |
C-Suite Panel, Regulatory UpdateModerator: Lars Robert Pederson, Deputy Secretary General, BIMCO Panellists include: |
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10:35-11:05 |
Coffee and Networking |
Session 2.1 Ammonia
| 11:05-12:20 | Session 2.1 The Ammonia Debate: Sustainable Shipping or Safety Concern? A promising sustainable fuel, or do safety concerns impact its chances of becoming a viable alternative fuel? |
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Moderator |
Moderator: Markus Munz, Managing Director, VDMA Large Engines DNV, speaker TBC |
| 12:00 - 12:20 | Q&A |
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12:20-13:40 |
Lunch & Networking |
Session 2.2 Hydrogen
| 11:05 - 12:20 | Session 2.2 Hydrogen and Fuel Cells: Unlocking Decarbonisation Potential.Exploring technical feasibility, operational challenges, and commercial potential. |
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Moderator |
Philipp Simmank, Technical Advisor, VDR – German Shipowners‘ Association Dr. Eng. Thomas Bayer, Lead Specialist - Fuel Cell Technology, Lloyd’s Register Group Limited, Lloyd’s Register |
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12:00 - 12:20 |
Q&A |
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12:20 - 13:40 |
Lunch & Networking |
The Motorship Awards
| 13:30-14:00 | Motorship Award Fire Rounds |
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13:30-14:00 |
Moderator: David Stevenson, Motorship Editor, Mercator Media |
| 14:00 - 15:00 | Session 4.1 Ship designs for new fuels: how do we most efficiently propel our ships? New regulations mean ships have to be more efficient, how are naval architects integrating emissions reduction into the design stage? |
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Moderator: Philipp Simmank, Technical Advisor, VDR – German Shipowners‘ Association John Cooper, CEO, Bar Technologies TGE, speaker TBC
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15:00-15:30 |
Coffee and Networking |
Session 5.1 LNG: Bio-LNG and ENG
| 15:30-16:45 | Session 5.1 Next Generation LNG: Bio-LNG and ENG. Given stringent regulations and targets, what new options are available. |
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Moderator: Lars Robert Pedersen, Deputy Secretary General, BIMCO Can Murtezaoglu, Business Development Manager, EMEAI, Commercial Division, GTT |
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16:30-16:45 |
Q&A |
Session 5.2 Methanol
| 15:30-16:45 | Session 5.2 Navigating Methanol: Findings and Fixes. An industry view on availability, production, solutions and findings for methanol powered vessels. |
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Moderator: Gavin Allwright, Secretary General, IWSA Zero Carbon Shipping, speaker TBC |
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16:30-16:45 |
Q&A |
Conference Wrap up
| 16:45-17:00 | Conference Wrap up with Moderators and Chairmen |
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Lars Robert Pedersen, Deputy Secretary General, BIMCO Dr. Markus Munz, Managing Director, VDMA Large Engines Gavin Allwright, Secretary General, IWSA Philipp Simmank, Technical Advisor, VDR – German Shipowners‘ Association |
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16:45 - 17:00 |
Conference Close |
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17:00 - 18:00 |
Welcome Drinks Reception and Announcement of Motorship Award Winner |
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18:30 - 21:00 |
Conference Dinner BLOCKBRÄU |
Day 2 - Wednesday 26th November 2025
| 08:30 | Coffee & Registation |
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09:00 - 09:15 |
Chairmen’s recap of day one |
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09:15 - 09:30 |
Keynote Address: |
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Session 1 |
Biofuels: Credible Path or short-term fix? |
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Moderator: Philipp Simmank, Technical Advisor, VDR – German Shipowners‘ Association Stefan Fahrnholz, Manager R&D - Decarbonisation, Carnival Maritime |
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10:25 - 10:45 |
Q&A |
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10:45 – 11:15 |
Coffee & Networking |
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Session 2 |
Harnessing the Power of Wind: Scaling up to meet demand. |
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Moderator: Gavin Allwright, Secretary, International Windship Association (IWSA) Lauren Eatwell, Head of WindWings®, BAR Technologies |
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12:10 - 12:30 |
Q&A |
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12:30 - 13:40 |
Lunch & Networking |
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Session 3 |
Onboard Carbon Capture: Feasibility of storing emissions onboard? |
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Moderator: Dr. Markus Münz, Managing Director, VDMA Large Engines |
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14:35 - 14:55 |
Q&A |
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14:55 - 15:25 |
Coffee and Networking |
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Session 4 |
Retrofit: Forward thinking solutions to enable vesels to transition into new fuels. |
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Moderator: Lars Robert Pedersen, Deputy Secretary General, BIMCO David Cafarelli, Global Sales & Application Engineering Manager, Accelleron |
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16:20 - 16:40 |
Q&A |
Conference Wrap up
| 16:40-17:00 | Conference Wrap up with Moderators and Chairmen |
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Lars Robert Pedersen, Deputy Secretary General, BIMCO Dr. Markus Munz, Managing Director, VDMA Large Engines Gavin Allwright, Secretary General, IWSA Philipp Simmank, Technical Advisor, VDR – German Shipowners‘ Association |
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17:00 |
Conference Close |
DAY THREE - THURSDAY 27th NOVEMBER 2025 TECHNICAL VISIT
2025 Conference Fees
Costs per delegate
Premium rate €2,730, includes:
- Conference Attendance with lunch and refreshments on both days.
- Full documentation in electronic format
- Place at conference dinner (25 November 2025)
- Place at technical visit (27 Novermber 2025)
Standard rate €2,625, includes:
- Conference attendance on both days.
- Lunch and refreshments on both days.
- Documentation in electronic format - Conference Handbook only.
Group booking discounts available
Special rates available for recognised educational establishments & ship operators.
Please Contact us for details.
BOOKING ONLINE
Alternatively, you can call us on +44 1329 825335
On receipt of your registration, you will be sent confirmation of your delegate place.
CONTACT US
For further information on exhibiting, sponsoring, or attending the conference, contact the Events team on: +44 1329 825335 or email conferences@propulsionconference.com.
