Event report
Past Event | French-Singaporean Maritime Roundtable Discussion and Networking Event
As part of Singapore Maritime Week 2025 and the Year of Sustainability France-Singapore (JYOS), the French Chamber of Commerce in Singapore, the French Embassy in Singapore, and the French Directorate General for Maritime Affairs, Fisheries, and Aquaculture (DGAMPA) organised two roundtable discussions on key maritime topics followed by networking cocktail at the historical Fullerton Hotel.
A heartfelt thank you to our sponsors — Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore, CMA CGM, Filhet-Allard Maritime, GTT, Port de Marseille Fos, SOCIETE GENERALE, and TotalEnergies Marine Fuels — for their invaluable support in making this event possible.
This event brought together more than 200 industry leaders from France, Singapore, and the region, with the aim of fostering cooperation and exploring innovative solutions for a more sustainable maritime transport sector.
The event opened with welcome remarks from Mr. Éric Banel, Director General of DGAMPA, and Mr. David Foo, Assistant Chief Executive (Operations Technology) of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). Both speakers emphasised the critical importance of international collaboration in the decarbonisation of the maritime sector. Mr. Banel highlighted the role of French maritime expertise, the need to develop a sustainable blue economy, and the shared commitment of France and Singapore to initiatives like green corridors. Mr. Foo illustrated the deep ties between the two nations, highlighting the significant role of French companies like Bureau Veritas and CMA CGM in the partnership.
Key takeaways from Roundtable 1: New Technologies for Sustainable Ships
The first roundtable focused on local and global initiatives aimed at reducing ship emissions, with particular emphasis on Singapore’s "Green Ship" program. Key discussions centered on the need for collaboration across the sector to facilitate the transition to multiple fuel types. Emerging technologies such as wind propulsion, alternative fuels like methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen, and energy-efficient ship designs were explored. The use of digital twins to optimize maritime routes and port operations was also highlighted. Participants stressed the importance of developing international regulations that would support these innovations while providing predictability for stakeholders. A strong consensus emerged around supporting International Maritime Organization (IMO) initiatives aimed at improving ship efficiency and technology adoption. The session concluded with a call for informed investment strategies and the creation of a collaborative ecosystem to connect various stakeholders and foster innovation.
Thank you to our panellists from the first panel:
Eric Banel, Director General for French Maritime Affairs, Fisheries, and Aquaculture (DGAMPA), David Foo, Assistant Chief Executive (Operations Technology), Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, Alex Gregg-Smith, Senior Vice President, Chief Executive, Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore, Asia Pacific (APA) & China, Alexandre Tocatlian, Director of Business Development from GTT, Sylvain Faguet, Chief Sales Officer from D-ICE Engineering. Moderated by Christophe Paillussueau, VP Sales and Marketing from OceanWings.
Key takeaways from Roundtable 2: Collaboration for a Sustainable Maritime Future
The second roundtable focused on the development of green maritime corridors between ports to promote the use of alternative fuels and digital technologies. International cooperation was identified as a crucial factor in establishing common standards and facilitating documentation processes. Discussions also delved into the use of digital tools to enhance efficiency in maritime transport, including specific projects aimed at optimizing port operations. The session analysed current trends in the adoption of alternative fuels such as LNG, methanol, and biofuels, addressing challenges related to accessibility and the high costs of these fuels. Participants emphasized the need for subsidies and regulations to overcome these barriers. Initiatives in both Singapore and Marseille that support low-emission ships and promote innovation were presented as models for collaboration between ports to optimize maritime routes and reduce emissions. The role of financial institutions in supporting dual-fuel ships and emerging technologies was also discussed, with a call for the establishment of funding mechanisms to accelerate decarbonization in the maritime supply chain.
Thank you to our panelists from the second panel:
Amal Louis, Head of Business Development from Grand Port Maritime de Marseille - Port de Marseille Fos, Caroline Yang, CEO at Hong Lam Marine; President of Singapore Shipping Association, Louise Tricoire, SVP TotalEnergies Aviation and Marine Fuels from TotalEnergies, François-Xavier Accard, Managing Director of CMA CGM International Shipping Company, Pierre Carassus, Director, Head of Maritime Industries Asia Pacific from SOCIETE GENERALE.
Moderated by Sebastien Guillaud, Co-Founder & Manager Partner from Shift4Good
To close the discussion, Mr. Teo Eng Dih, Chief Executive of MPA, delivered a concluding speech in which he emphasised the essential role of energy efficiency and international cooperation in ensuring the successful transition to sustainable maritime transport.
The event continued with a networking cocktail, providing an opportunity for participants to exchange ideas and explore future collaboration opportunities between France, Singapore, and their international partners.
For more information, please contact Valerie Conxicoeur vconxicoeur(@)fccsingapore.com and Emily Jiang ejiang(@)fccsingapore.com
