Held from December 6th to 10th, the academic week of “Latest research on heated topics of international shipping” organized by International Education College of SMU was welcomed by SMU students as a great success. Professor René taudal Poulsen from Copenhagen Business School of Denmark, Professor Amalia polydoropoulou from University of the Aegean Greece, Professor Gang Chen and Professor Alessandro Schönborn from World Maritime University Sweden, and Professor Thierry vanelslander from University of Antwerp of Belgium were invited to deliver lectures online to SMU local and international students. Speaking from their research expertise, the five professors discussed respectively on the challenges and opportunities faced by international shipping industry under the context of post epidemic and the fast development of communication technology, digital technology and artificial intelligence.
Professor René Taudal Poulsen, talked on “Green shipping---Reducing the environmental footprint of international shipping. He introduced various factors affecting the environmental footprint of international shipping, and elaborated on mitigation measures to reduce the environmental footprint of international shipping and various regulatory and intervention measures available to policy makers and ship owners.
Professor Amalia Polydoropoulou, whose presentation titled “Impacts of digitization and automation on decision making in logistics and passenger shipping, discussed critical issues in logistics and passenger shipping as a result of emerging and disruptive technologies and services available due to advent of digitalization and automation., especially the decision-making with regard to last mile deliveries of goods (LMD).
Under the title of Digital transformation of shipping industry, Professor Gang Chen focuses on technological transformation of shipping, the connotation of digitalization concepts, and the digitalization applications in shipping.
Professor Alessandro Schönborn lectured on Looking for pathways to decarbonise shipping, talked about cleaner maritime fuel, the development of carbon neutral fuel, and direct use of shipboard renewable energy.
Professor Thierry Vanelslander talked about “Current challenges in maritime supply chains” and discussed the the growing importance of the hinterland in supply chains, solutions for climate impacts by shipping and infrastructure investments: Panama Canal + Belt and Road.
During the lecturing, professors took an inclusive approach to encourage students’ participation. A good interaction between professors and teachers was achieved.
Prof. René Taudal Poulsen
Prof. Amalia Polydoropoulou
Prof. Gang Chen
Prof. Alessandro Schönborn
Prof. Thierry Vanelslander