Host
John Snyder
Seasoned maritime journalist with more than 30 years of experience in print, digital, audio and video media, as well as live events covering shipping, marine technology, and shipbuilding.
Recent Episodes
About
Setting Course
Welcome to Setting Course, an ABS Podcast. From carbon capture and electrification to alternative fuels and regulatory developments — tune in for informed conversations between industry leaders as we chart the future of maritime.
On this episode of Setting Course, Rene Laursen, ABS Director of Global Sustainability, joins host John Snyder, Managing Editor of Riviera Maritime Media, to discuss ammonia’s potential, its challenges and its path to broad adoption as a marine fuel.
Guest Speaker: Rene Laursen
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Ammonia as a Marine Fuel
Guest Speaker
Rene Laursen
Director of Global Sustainability. ABS
Rene Laursen serves as Director of Sustainability for ABS, leading the ABS Copenhagen Sustainability Center. In his current role, he supports shipowners in selecting the best technologies and fuel mixes for their fleet.
Ammonia is one of several alternative fuels being evaluated by the maritime industry to help achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. While ammonia has the potential to be a zero-carbon fuel or a carrier for hydrogen fuel, the chemical is extremely toxic and has stringent handling requirements.
On this episode of Setting Course, Rene Laursen, ABS Director of Global Sustainability, joins host John Snyder, Managing Editor of Riviera Maritime Media, to discuss ammonia’s potential, its challenges and its path to broad adoption as a marine fuel.
On this episode of Setting Course, Vassilios Kroustallis, ABS Senior Vice President for Global Business Development and Global Marine, joins host John Snyder, Managing Editor for Riviera Maritime Media, for a broad discussion on how the industry and class societies are reacting to the decade of change.
Guest Speaker: Vassilios Kroustallis
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Readying ABS for a Decade of Change
Guest Speaker
Vassilios Kroustallis
Senior Vice President, Global Business Development and Global Marine, ABS
Vassilios Kroustallis is Senior Vice President, Global Business Development and Global Marine for ABS, responsible for client relationship management and business solution development across the ABS operational hemispheres. Previously he served as Vice President, Global Business Development of Europe for ABS, responsible for client relationship management and business solution development within the region.
Between the IMO’s goal for net-zero emissions by 2050 and rapidly evolving technologies, the marine and offshore industries are facing a complex decade of change.
On this episode of Setting Course, Vassilios Kroustallis, ABS Senior Vice President for Global Business Development and Global Marine, joins host John Snyder, Managing Editor for Riviera Maritime Media, for a broad discussion on how the industry and class societies are reacting to the decade of change. Vassilios also discusses the technologies and alternative fuels poised to impact the industry.
On this episode of Setting Course, we discuss the potential for nuclear energy with Patrick Ryan, ABS Senior Vice President and Cheif Technology Officer, Meg Dowling, ABS Technology Engineer and host John Snyder, Managing Editor of Riviera Maritime Media.
Guest Speakers: Patrick Ryan and Meg Dowling
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Nuclear Energy in Maritime
Guest Speakers
Patrick Ryan
ABS Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer
Patrick Ryan is Senior Vice President, Global Technology and Digital Product Development, and Chief Technology Officer for ABS. He is responsible for ABS’ technology research and development, digital product development, engineering software organizations and seven Global Technology Centers. He joined ABS in 2019. For 21 years prior, he was in various ship design, program management and engineering leadership roles at the largest shipyard in the United States.
While regulations and the global energy transition have brought a wide range of alternative fuels into the spotlight, nuclear energy has emerged as a zero-carbon option with broad potential for the marine and offshore industries.
On this episode of Setting Course, we discuss the potential for nuclear energy with Patrick Ryan, ABS Senior Vice President, Meg Dowling, ABS Technology Engineer and host John Snyder, Managing Editor of Riviera Maritime Media.
Ryan and Dowling provide insight into potential applications, challenges, opportunities and regulatory hurdles for nuclear energy for maritime applications.
Learn more about some of the major technology trends facing the industry at www.eagle.org\techtrends.
Meg Dowling
ABS Technology Engineer
Meg Dowling is a Senior Engineer in the Energy Transition group for ABS Americas Technology. She serves as the ABS Nuclear Programs Lead and has been involved in research and project development subjects related to sustainable shipping initiatives and alternative power options, including biofuels, hydrogen and carbon capture technologies. Meg received her BS in Ocean and Naval Architectural Engineering from the Memorial University of Newfoundland.
On this episode of Setting Course, we discuss the challenges facing current and future seafarers with Chuck Kemper, ABS Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Jennifer Harrison, ABS Senior Director of Learning Strategy, and host John Snyder, Managing Editor of Riviera Maritime Media.
Guest Speakers: Chuck Kemper and Jennifer Harrison
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Navigating Change for Today's Mariners
Guest Speakers
Chuck Kemper
ABS Senior Vice President and Cheif Human Resources Officer
Chuck Kemper is Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at ABS. He leads the global human resources’ function, facilities and real estate, as well as security for the organization. He has over two decades of experience in the human resources field.
Jennifer Harrison
ABS Senior Director of Learning Strategy
Jennifer Harrison has almost 30 years of experience in the maritime industry, the last 21 of which have been with ABS, where she has worked in various roles in software consulting, business development, marketing, public relations and training. Since 2022, Jennifer has led the technical training development function for employees, including delivering programs for ABS Academies in Houston, Shanghai, Singapore, Busan, Doha and Athens. Jennifer also oversees the ABS Academy client training services. Before joining ABS, Jennifer was a ship personnel manager and crew purser working on board Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.
Seafarers are the backbone of the global shipping industry. They are also among the most affected when the industry undergoes change, whether from new technologies, staffing shortages or geopolitical tensions.On this episode of Setting Course, we discuss the challenges facing current and future seafarers with Chuck Kemper, ABS Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Jennifer Harrison, ABS Senior Director of Learning Strategy, and host John Snyder, Managing Editor of Riviera Maritime Media.
On this episode of Setting Course, Joseph Gardemal, ABS Regulatory Affairs Manager, joins host John Snyder, Managing Editor of Riviera Maritime Media, to discuss the development of a regulatory framework for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS). Gardemal discusses the drivers behind autonomous regulations, the degrees of autonomy and what the evolving regulations are aiming to achieve.
Guest Speaker: Joseph Gardemal
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Developing Mass Regulations
Guest Speakers
Joseph Gardemal
Manager, Regulatory Affairs - ABS
Joseph Gardemal is a Regulatory Affairs Manager for ABS. He is responsible for providing advisory support on new and ongoing developments taking place at IMO. He has been with ABS for 17 years, with a focus on design of ships and offshore units for regulatory compliance.
As the marine industry increasingly considers applications for autonomous technologies, regulatory bodies must adapt and assess these technologies to promote safe use.On this episode of Setting Course, Joseph Gardemal, ABS Regulatory Affairs Manager, joins host John Snyder, Managing Editor of Riviera Maritime Media, to discuss the development of a regulatory framework for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS).Gardemal discusses the drivers behind autonomous regulations, the degrees of autonomy and what the evolving regulations are aiming to achieve.
On this episode of Setting Course, Chern Meng Huat, PCL General Manager of Technical Fleet Management, Sidat Senanayake, PaxOcean Head of Commercial and Shu Yong Koh, ABS Global Sustainability Director, join host Brad Cox, ABS, to talk about how collaboration is key to advancing maritime decarbonization.
Guest Speakers: Chern Meng Huat, Sidat Senanayake and Shu Yong Koh
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SMW24: Advancing Toward Maritime Decarbonization
Guest Speakers
Chern Meng Huat
PCL General Manager of Technical Fleet Management
With over 25 years of industry experience, Chern Meng Huat started his career sailing as an engine cadet to Chief Engineer. Before joining Pacific Carrier Limited (PCL), he worked as a marine surveyor, gaining insights into different industry facets. Now, as General Manager, Technical Fleet Management, he oversees the operation, maintenance, and safety of vessels under PCL's purview.
The maritime industry is facing a myriad of challenges on the journey to decarbonization. On this special Singapore Maritime Week episode of Setting Course, guests from Pacific Carriers Limited (PCL), PaxOcean and ABS discuss the challenges and solutions shaping the industry’s future.
Chern Meng Huat, PCL General Manager of Technical Fleet Management, Sidat Senanayake, PaxOcean Head of Commercial and Shu Yong Koh, ABS Global Sustainability Director, join host Brad Cox, ABS, to talk about how collaboration is key to advancing maritime decarbonization.
Learn more about the outlook for the maritime industry’s decarbonization journey in: Beyond the Horizon: View of the Emerging Value Chains.
Sidat Senanayake
PaxOcean Head of Commercial
Sidat Senanayake is the Head of Commercial for PaxOcean Group and based in Singapore, where he is responsible for the group’s global commercial activities covering newbuilding, conversions, repairs and fabrication. He has spent over 20 years covering the maritime and offshore sector in financing, marketing, business development, restructuring and risk management roles. His last role was Head of Risk Management & Compliance for Kuok Group Singapore, the parent company of PaxOcean Group.
Shu Yong Koh
ABS Global Sustainability Director
Shu Yong Koh serves as ABS Director of Global Sustainability, responsible for driving the ABS sustainability strategy and assisting ship owners and operators with achieving their sustainability and environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals through industry-leading support and digital solutions. He has been involved in various sustainability initiatives and is actively pursuing the challenges of the maritime and shipping industry. He is working on energy, emissions and innovative technologies associated with alternative fuels, taking into account technical, environmental, regulatory and economic factors.
On this episode of Setting Course, we discuss ABS’ risk-based approach to its Rules with ABS Chief Engineer, Derek Novak; ABS Vice President of Class Standards, Dan Cronin, and host John Snyder, Managing Editor of Riviera Maritime Media.
Guest Speakers: Derek Novak and Dan Cronin
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Innovation Through Rule Enhancements
Guest Speakers
Derek Novak
Chief Engineer, ABS
Derek Novak is the Chief Engineer for ABS. He oversees interpretation, application and compliance with ABS Rules across all ABS Engineering offices worldwide. Novak joined ABS in 1994 and has held a number of senior management roles within the organization, including Senior Vice President for Engineering and Technology, President and Chief Operating Officer – Pacific Division, Vice President of Operations – Pacific Division, Vice President of Operations, Vice President of Engineering, and Manager – Naval Engineering.
Dan Cronin
Vice President, Class Standards, ABS
Dan Cronin is the Vice President of Class Standards for ABS. He oversees the Rule Development process and is leading the Rules 2025 initiative. Cronin joined ABS in 1997 and has held several roles within the organization, including Vice President of Digital Class, Vice President of Engineering for Americas, and Manager of Ship and Offshore Engineering in Singapore.
The rapid pace at which technologies are evolving and emerging within the marine and offshore industries requires an agile approach to asset design.On this episode of Setting Course, we discuss ABS’ goal-based approach to its Rules with ABS Chief Engineer, Derek Novak; ABS Vice President of Class Standards, Dan Cronin, and host John Snyder, Managing Editor of Riviera Maritime Media.
On this episode of Setting Course, Captain Bryan Dietz, Master of Space Perspective’s MS Voyager, and Tyson Breedlove, ABS Manager of Business Development for Global Offshore, join host John Snyder, Managing Editor of Riviera Maritime Media, to discuss these new space support vessels.
Guest Speakers: Tyson Breedlove and Bryan Dietz
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The Future of Offshore Space Support with Space Perspective
Guest Speakers
Bryan Dietz
Master, MS Voyager, Space Perspective
Captain Bryan Dietz is the Master of the world’s first marine spaceport, the MS Voyager, for Space Perspective. He is a native of Long Island, NY, and was born into a saltwater fishing and boating family. He graduated from SUNY Maritime College and has more than a decade of experience in the offshore sector, including ultra deepwater subsea construction.
Tyson Breedlove
Business Development Manager, Global Offshore, ABS
Tyson Breedlove is a Business Development Manager in Global Offshore for ABS and leads the team’s offshore space strategy. Breedlove has worked in the maritime industry for 16 years, the first 12 of which were in the field as a surveyor in South Korea and Singapore.
As the commercial spaceflight industry continues to grow, so does the need to support offshore operations such as launch and recovery. Enter a new type of offshore support vessel (OSV) that can play a vital role in this skyrocketing sector.
On this episode of Setting Course, Captain Bryan Dietz, Master of Space Perspective’s MS Voyager, and Tyson Breedlove, ABS Manager of Business Development for Global Offshore, join host John Snyder, Managing Editor of Riviera Maritime Media, to discuss these new space support vessels.