By
Elizabeth Robinson |
The theme for the 2017 Canadian Ferry Association (CFA) conference – which takes place in Halifax, Nova Scotia on 24-26 September – will be ‘Charting Our Course: The People and Technology of Tomorrow’s Ferries’.
“We are looking forward to a fantastic line-up of speakers and presentations once again this year at CFA2017,” said Serge Buy, CEO of Canadian Ferry Association. “Our sector is growing and owners and operators are embracing new and emerging technology like never before, often benefitting the environment along the way.”
The event’s keynote speaker will be the new president and CEO of BC Ferries, Mark Collins, who will present his vision for the firm’s growth and development over the next five years.
The CFA2017 conference will also see discussion around various ferry power options, including LNG, hybrid and pure electric.
Gurinder Singh, Director of Global Marine for ABS, will outline different types of energy storage and generation technologies, along with their associated challenges and level of readiness for marine and offshore application.
Jason Chesko, senior manager for global market development at Methanex Corporation, will provide an overview of methanol fuel as part of a penal discussion. “Methanol is an ultra-clean burning marine fuel that complies with the shipping industry’s increasingly stringent emissions regulations,” he said.
On the ‘people’ side of the agenda, CFA2017 will consider the shortage of employees to take the place of those retiring from the industry.
“Across Canada, employers are grappling with the challenge of filling skilled trades positions just as a cohort of skilled baby boomers moves into retirement,” said Sarah Watts-Rynard, executive director of the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum, who will highlight how apprenticeships can offer a pathway that can work for both employers and Canada’s indigenous communities.
The event closes with a gala dinner featuring remarks from the Mayor of Halifax and a raffle for a local charity. The event’s annual golf tournament, this year sponsored by Detyens Shipyards, will take place on September 27th.
More information about CFA2017 and registration is available at www.canadianferry.ca/conference-2017.