Session 4

Powering ports - On-shore power supply panel discussion

VALTER SELÉN

Senior Policy Advisor Sustainable Development, Cruise and Ferry Network, EcoPorts Coordinator - ESPO

BIOGRAPHY

Valter Selén joined ESPO as senior policy advisor for sustainable development in June 2020, having previously worked with drafting the first annual EU MRV Report during his time in the European Commission (DG CLIMA). Valter dedicates his career to EU climate policy and sustainable development, focusing his attention on the maritime sector.

Valter holds a double-degree Master in European Governance from the University of Utrecht, The Netherlands and Konstanz University, Germany. Valter wrote his thesis on how European business associations gain access to EU institutions in order to influence climate policy negotiations.

SEBASTIAN EBBING

Technical Advisor, Climate, Marine fuels, Innovation, Funding, VDR

BIOGRAPHY

As Technical Advisor at German Shipowners’ Association, Sebastian Ebbing provides profound technical expertise to the ongoing regulatory developments on EU and IMO-Level. With his background in nautical science, marine engineering and international maritime management he is dedicated on regulatory climate-protection affairs, the maritime energy transition incl. the development of alternative climate-neutral fuel strategies, digitalization and innovation projects in shipping. Sebastian Ebbing´s technical expertise is accompanied by experience in fleet performance management within a globally operating shipping company. The German Shipowners’ Association (VDR) is a leading professional association within the German business community. It was founded in 1907 by the regional shipowners’ associations in order to enable them to have common and uniform representation of their interests. Today, the VDR represents the German maritime shipping segment not only in Berlin and Bonn, but also in Brussels, London, Geneva and at global level. With its over 150 member companies from different shipping sectors, the association represents the German shipping industry, which currently boasts the world’s fifth-largest merchant fleet. As an employers’ association, it conducts collective bargaining and social partner negotiations.

Sebastian Ebbing is founding and board member of the “Research Institute for Innovation and Sustainable Logistics” situated at Jade University of Applied Science, where he is lecturing on Maritime Technologies with special focus on climate neutral shipping and alternative propulsion technologies.

EDVARD MOLITOR

Head of Sustainability, Port of Gothenburg

BIOGRAPHY

Edvard Molitor is the Head of Sustainability in Port of Gothenburg, Scandinavia’s largest port and one of the leading ports of the world in environmental matters. Mr Molitor leads the strategic environmental management at the Gothenburg Port Authority and is responsible for the sustainable development of the port through successful implementation of environmental permits and international requirements.

From 2017 to 2020, Mr Molitor chaired the Sustainable Development Committee of the European SeaPorts Organisation and from 2020 onwards, he is the vice chairman of the Climate & Energy Committee of the International Association of Ports and Harbors.

Mr Molitor has a wide international experience of environmental management, sustainable development, maritime operations, and marine pollution response, and holds a M.Sc. degree in Aquatic and Environmental Engineering from Uppsala University. Mr Molitor has previously worked at SSPA Sweden AB, at the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) and at the Swedish Coast Guard Headquarters.

MINAS PAPADAKIS

Managing Director, Heraklion Port Authority

BIOGRAPHY

Minas Papadakis is the CEO of the Port of Heraklion since January 2020. Minas joined the port after a long career in the financial sector and has held various executive positions at EFG Eurobank Equities, were he served as head of private clients amongst others. He has served as a member of the Board of Directors for Minoan Lines and A.Papadakis-Technometal.

Minas holds an MBA from the Management School of Imperial College, London University and a degree in chemical engineering from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. He has taught Project Management and Financial Management at the Technical Chamber of Greece, North College and the Hellenic Management Association. He is fluent in English and German.