Speakers and Moderators

Bud Darr

Bud Darr is Executive Vice President, Maritime Policy and Government Affairs of MSC Group which operates in 155 countries.

Bud is engaged across MSC’s Cargo and Passenger divisions, continuing to develop and refine the company’s central Government Affairs function. He is closely involved in MSC’s response to developments in environmental public policy and regulation and other industry-wide issues such as greenhouse gas emissions, maritime security, safety at sea, and international shipping policy. He serves on the Boards for the UK Chamber of Shipping, BIMCO, International Chamber of Shipping, Liberian Shipowners’ Council, Seamen’s Church Institute, and Society for Gas as a Marine Fuel.

Bud began his education in Submarine Nuclear Engineering and later obtained his formal undergraduate education at the US Merchant Marine Academy, where he was trained as a Deck Officer. During his service with the US Coast Guard, he studied law at the George Washington University Law School.

Dr. Paul Adalikwu

Dr. Paul Adalikwu a Nigerian was elected as the 6th Secretary General of the Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa (MOWCA) at the 16th Extraordinary Session of the Organization held from the 16th-18th November, 2021 at Accra Ghana.

Dr. Adalikwu, has over 30 years of expertise in corporate governance, maritime, strategic and policy issues as well as international development cooperation. His extensive experience includes resource mobilization and strategic partnerships, organizing high-level events, project management and coordination of multi-country affairs on maritime safety and security matters. He has worked extensively in both the academia and public sectors in the USA, Nigeria, Taiwan, Cote d’Ivoire amongst other countries.

Prior to his election as SG MOWCA, he was the Director, Maritime Safety and Security Department in the Federal Ministry of Transportation of Nigeria. The Department acts as the focal Ministry for Nigeria in the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Maritime Organization of West and Central Africa (MOWCA), Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) Oron, Nigeria and also supervises the activities of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), which is Nigeria’s focal Agency for the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Götz Becker

Götz Becker is CEO of the FRS group of companies (Förde Reederei Seetouristik GmbH & Co. KG).

FRS looks back on a shipping history of more than 150 years. Today, the shipping company is one of Europe’s leading ferry specialists, having grown from a regional ferry operator to an internationally active business group operating 55 vessels with more than 2,000 employees worldwide.

FRS, with its headquarter in the north German city of Flensburg, has a portfolio that comprises of 16 vessel-operating-subsidiaries located in northern and southern Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and North America. FRS carries on numerous national and international ferry and catamaran lines around 7.9 million passengers and 2.1 million vehicles every year. Nowadays FRS owns, manages and operates a varied fleet of conventional ferries, double-ended ferries, water taxis, six solar powered passenger boats and a broad variety of high-speed catamarans. FRS has operated in total more than 20 different High Speed Crafts (HSC) half of which were built under the order of FRS.

Götz has been with FRS since 1994, CEO since 2005. In 2015, he joined the Operators Policy Committee of Interferry, and served as chair. He is also on the DNV•GL committee. Götz has been member of the Interferry Board of Directors since 2016.

Greta Bédard

With a career of more than 40 years in the maritime sector, Mrs Greta Bédard is now the first woman to hold the position of President and Chief Executive Officer at the Société des traversiers du Québec. This graduate of the Institut maritime du Québec as Navigation Officer completed a Master of Business Administration and is also a certified corporate director. Mrs. Bédard’s experience was developed in various spheres of the maritime division and public service, from founding two worker cooperatives to several management positions in operations and capital assets. Her sense of ethics and strategic vision of the maritime industry are amongst her many merits.

Claes Berglund

Claes Berglund is a senior executive in the shipping industry. As a Director of Public Affairs and Sustainability at Stena and active in many shipping organizations, he is a major influencer of shipping policy in Europe and globally. He holds a Bachelor in Science and is an officer in the Royal Swedish Navy (reserve). Before coming into the shipping world 15 years ago he had 12 years in road-based transport and third party logistic services.

Stena AB has activities within ferries, tankers, ports, offshore drilling, ship management, real estate and other investments. The group has a €4 billion turnover, 15,000 employees and operates more than 160 vessels worldwide. Stena is active in the challenge of finding sustainable energy sources for the shipping industry and has among other things introduces the world’s first methanol ferry.

John Bertell

With a background in the shipping industry working with cargo shipping operations as well as cruise and port operations, John Bertell has spent the last 20 years with IT solutions for the ferry industry. Being involved both from the sales perspective and practical system implementations as project manager and implementation expert, he has gained experience of a wide range of ferry operations in detail.

In 2010 he joined Carus as Sales Manager and is now Director of Sales, with the responsibility for new clients as well as for client relationships and business development.

Carus is a leading provider of reservations, sales and port solutions specifically designed for the passenger vessel industry.

Joep Bollerman

Originally from The Netherlands, Joep sailed as an engineer for 10 years on cargo and cruise ships. Joined Lloyd’s Register in 1996 in Miami as surveyor and auditor and moved to the LR Passenger Ship Support Center in 2007. In his current position as VP Passenger Ships his focus is to support internal and external clients in getting-it-right. He supports training and rule interpretations, while also maintaining and growing industry relationships and promoting the sharing of expertise, practical interpretations, and solutions to ever changing Rule and Regulatory challenges. Joep is a member of the Interferry Safety Committee since 2020.

Torben Carlsen

Torben Carlsen was appointed President & CEO of Danish Ferry & Transport Group (DFDS) from 1 May 2019. He joined the company in 2009 as CFO and was, among other things, responsible for DFDS’ acquisition of Ferry and Transport Group Norfolkline in 2010 as well as other acquisitions, digitisation of DFDS and major change projects. Torben has a broad and international managerial background, with leading positions in Switzerland and the USA, primarily within the airline industry. In addition to this comes experience from private equity. He holds an MSc in Finance and various board positions in the finance and shipping industries.

Martin Carlsson

Starting a marine career in beginning 1990’s as deck hand in Stena Line, Martin has ever since had his heart with RoRo and RoPax vessels. After serving in various vessels, studies at Nautical Academy and a Naval Architecture degree he went for a first post graduate role at Lloyds Register HQ R&D team. Martin was 2011 appointed VP Design of RoRo equipment supplier TTS Marine, operating the design and technology team through the car carrier boom of 2013-2016 and with business development preparing for the following mega- and expedition cruise newbuilding booms. In the cruise peak he continued working in project leading roles delivering passenger access, experience and logistic equipment to cruise ship yards/owners.

Since 2019 Martin works with Stena Teknik on fire safety of RoRo and RoPax ships, participating with operators view in fire safety research projects such as German Albero project and EU Horizon 2020 financed LASHFIRE project. He supports Swedish Shipowners Association, Swedish Flagstate, and EMSA in developing future fire safety regulations and is deeply involved in setting new standards for transporting vehicles with alternative fuels.

Matteo Catani

Matteo Catani is the Chief Executive Officer of GNV, a leading Ferry Company in the western Mediterranean Sea. 

Prior to this he served as Director of Sales and Business Development (2014 – 2016), leading sales, marketing and development activities, as Strategy and Business Development Manager (2011 – 2014) heading planning, forecasting, pricing and revenue management as well as Business Planning and Analysis Manager (2007 – 2010).  He had previously held different business planning related positions within the Danone Group (2004 – 2007) a multinational company leader in the food-and-beverage Industry. 

Matteo holds a master’s degree in Economics from the University of Genoa and an MBA from The University of Chicago – Booth School of Business, US, Illinois. 

Kim Clifford

Kim Clifford, a proud Tasmanian, and daughter of shipbuilding pioneer Robert Clifford, is the Managing Director of Incat Marketing Pty Ltd. She is a Director of one of the world’s largest aluminum ship manufacturers, driven by her passion for people, purpose, and productivity. Kim’s dedication extends beyond business; she is the President of the Tasmanian Fast Ferry Museum and serves as the Honorary Consul for Japan. Additionally, Kim was an inaugural Director of Brand Tasmania, championing the unique identity and values of her home state.

Mike Corrigan

Mike Corrigan is CEO of Interferry, the trade association that represents the worldwide ferry industry. Mike’s focus leading Interferry is to ensure that it continues to be the voice of the worldwide ferry industry in matters of safety and operational best practices, is the industry’s voice with regulatory agencies such as IMO, and that the trade association’s value continues to grow for existing and new members. Mike brings to his position of CEO of Interferry extensive executive experience in the ferry industry, most recently as the CEO of BC Ferries, one of the world’s largest ferry operators. During Mike’s tenure with BC Ferries, the company became recognized as a world leader in safety and operational excellence, set record earnings levels, invested $2 Billion in ships and terminals, and established itself as an employee-centric company earning top employer recognition.

Sverre Eriksen

Sverre Eriksen is a Senior Principal Engineer for electrical systems in DNV Maritime. Sverre has an MSc in electric power engineering from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. He joined DNV in 2008. He is a specialist in battery systems and has been responsible for developing the DNV class rules for battery-powered ships since 2011. He works with the certification of battery systems and DNV classification of many ships with batteries. In addition, he is involved in DNV investigations of incidents with batteries installed on ships.

Maria Garbarini

Maria Garbarini is the Head of Passenger Ships Excellence Centre at RINA Services S.p.A. With a decade-long tenure in a ro-ro shipping company, she specialized in overseeing new building, conversion, and engineering projects, as well as managing funded innovative projects. Transitioning to RINA in 2018 as a passenger ships engineer, Maria focuses on implementing cutting-edge products and value-added services in the passenger ships sector. She actively contributes to RINA’s Decarbonization Committees, dedicated to exploring alternative fuels, new technologies, and operational strategies to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. Currently, Maria leads a team that provides a unique source of expertise to the cruise and ferry industry, concentrating on energy transition and safety considerations. Maria holds a degree in Naval Architecture and Mechanical Engineering from the University of Genoa and is a Member (MRINA) of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects.

John Garner

John has over forty-five years’ experience at sea and ashore and has spent over thirty years in the ferry industry, moving ashore in 1994 with Stena Line. John was Fleet Director of P & O Ferries Ltd, from 2004 -2019 and had full responsibility for all maritime aspects of the fleet. As founding director of JG Maritime Solutions Ltd, John has provided advice to three ferry newbuild projects, new business development projects as well as conducting the surveys of ten ferry operators for the Inmarsat report. John is a former Interferry Director, the current chair of the Interferry Regulatory Committee and provides regulatory liaison on behalf of Interferry in the LASH FIRE project. John is chair of Lloyds Register Technical Committee, a member of the Supervisory Board of the UK Chamber of Shipping, a Fellow of the Nautical Institute, a Chartered Master Mariner, a Fellow of IMarEST and a Chartered Marine Technologist.

Elisabeth Lönne

Elisabeth Lönne has been serving as the Chief Commercial Officer of Stena Line Group since 2022. She has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the shipping industry. Prior to taking up her role in Stena Line Group Management, she held several senior commercial roles internationally throughout the company since joining in 2005.

Ryad Mezzour

Mr. Ryad Mezzour has been appointed on October 7, 2021 by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, Minister of Industry and Trade. He graduated from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich in 1996. Then, he began his professional career in Switzerland as a Research & Development engineer with the ABB group, before joining the Deloitte firm as a strategy consultant.

Back in Morocco in 2003, Mr. Ryad Mezzour successively held the positions of General Manager of Budget Maroc, Director at the Société des Fonderies de Plomb de Zellidja and General Manager of Suzuki Maroc.

Mr. Ryad Mezzour had been Director of the Cabinet of the President of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council since 2013, before joining the Ministry of Industry, Trade, Green and Digital Economy in 2019 as Chief of Cabinet of then Minister Moulay Hafid Elalamy.

Very involved in the economic and social environment, Mr. Ryad Mezzour was vice-president of the Green Economy Commission at the Moroccan confederation of business association (CGEM) between 2012 and 2015 and is a member of the board of several nonprofit institutions.

Steve Nevey

Steve Nevey is the assistant secretary for the Washington State Ferries Division. A career mariner, Nevey progressed directly from high school to a maritime academy in the United Kingdom. For the past two years he has served as director of marine operations for WSF and has been instrumental in the development of programs that address ongoing staff shortages in the industry. Steve has a wealth of experience from a maritime career spanning more than two decades aboard large tankers, ferries and private craft to shoreside operations for Holland America. He has worked with his team and Washington State Ferries leadership to find workable solutions to staffing shortages and vessel-related maintenance and preservation challenges to ensure better service and reliability in the long term for the users of the WSF system.

David Okafor

David Okafor is a Naval Architect and Marine Engineer with over a decade of experience in ship design, marine technology, and project management. He has been involved in the design and construction of various naval vessels for the Nigerian Navy at Naval Dockyard Limited. Additionally, he consults for Caverton Marine Limited, leading efforts to promote sustainability in the Nigeria Marine Transportation Industry.

Okafor has a Bachelor’s degree in Naval Architecture from the State University of New York, Maritime College, USA, and a Master’s degree in Engineering Management from the University of Hull, UK. Currently, he is pursuing a PhD in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering at the University of Strathclyde, UK. His research focuses on exploring efficient ship design and operation using electrical and renewable energy for inland waterway transportation in Lagos. Okafor is dedicated to advancing the growth of shipbuilding in Africa.

Rose Appiah Okyere

Mrs. Rose Appiah Okyere is the Managing Director of Volta Lake Transport Company Limited in Ghana. Mrs. Okyere joined the company in 2006 as a Planning Officer and by dint of hard work rose through the ranks to become Corporate Planning and Regulatory Affairs Manager. In 2020, Mrs. Okyere was appointed as the Ag. Managing Director of the Company and she was confirmed as the substantive Managing Director in January 2023. Mrs. Rose Appiah Okyere is the first female Managing Director of the Company. She has over 15 years of experience as a corporate executive leader in inland water transport.

Rose holds a bachelor’s degree in social sciences (Economics) from University of Cape Coast and master’s degree in business administration from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology all in Ghana. She is also a member of the Institute of Directors- Ghana and have participated in several studies both home and abroad.

Mark Wilson

Mark Wilson is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Bay Ferries Limited (BFL) and Northumberland Ferries Limited (NFL). He has over 30 years’ experience in the Marine and Maritime profession. Wilson has been with the companies since May 2021, starting as Vice President Marine Operations, becoming Senior Vice President in July 2022 and Acting Chief Executive Officer in August 2023.

Mark grew up in Prince Edward Island, Canada, and obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering from the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario. In 2016, Wilson completed the Stanford Executive Program from the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University.

Prior to his career in the marine transportation sector, Wilson served 23 years in the Royal Canadian Navy, with increasing senior engineering responsibilities and active service in the Persian Gulf. He has also worked in the private sector as Vice President of sales and marketing for a craft brewery in Ontario. He then spent 11 years in various senior executive positions at BC Ferries. During this time, he worked six years as Vice President, Engineering, through which he held overall asset management responsibility for the company’s 36 vessels and 45 terminals and oversaw several major terminal and vessel construction and rebuild programs. His most recent role was as Vice President, Strategy and Community Relations.

Claire Womersley

Claire is a leading practitioner in crisis management response and is currently managing high profile and complex litigation on a number of matters for the travel and container shipping sectors that have attracted significant media attention and associated reputational risks. As a Master Mariner who spent nine years at sea navigating large passenger vessels and ro-ro ferries, Claire brings a wealth of insight, knowledge and ‘hands on’ experience to the cases she has the conduct of.

In addition to her case work, Claire is an active participant in various industry forums supporting the travel industries such as Interferry, CLIA, the UK Chamber of Shipping and the Mission to Seafarers, she is also a champion for diversity and inclusion including most recently supporting the Aspiring Solicitors Group in their International Women’s Day event.