Port of the Future Conference

06/17/2026

05/03/2026

Join the GGreater Houston Port Bureaus president Eric M. Carrero, USCG CAPT, Ret at the Maritime Risk Symposium 2026 June 2-3, at the SSan Jacinto CollegeCenter for Petrochemical, Energy, and Technology. The Symposium will address:
*Assess trends and threats to the evolving maritime landscape.
*Operational insights to enhance resilience from disruptions.
*Advance solutions through merging technologies.
*Strengthening global and national maritime resilience.

For more information and to register, go to: https://lnkd.in/g3yZmEYc.


Andrea S. LaVorgna, @ District

03/24/2026

Jan Hagen Andersen, Business Development Director- Americas, DNV will speak on “PANEL: Advances In Wind- Assisted Propulsion Systems” at the 2026 Port of the Future Conference, to be held March 24-25, 2026, in Houston, Texas.



Register for the 2026 Port of the Future Conference at: https://portofthefutureconference.com/registration/

Wind propulsion in modern cargo vessels is not necessarily emblematic of a by-gone age. Wind-assisted Propulsion Systems (WAPS) are increasingly being used by ship operators to reduce power demand by 20% and up to 60% with route optimization, reduce fuel consumption, meet energy efficiency regulations and minimize carbon emissions. Panel members discuss new designs and advances in wind propulsion technology enhanced by Artificial Intelligence.

Jan Hagen Andersen serves as Decarbonization Business Development Director, DNV Maritime Region Americas, with more than 30 years of experience in the maritime and shipping industry.



He started his

career at a marine engineering and service company in Seattle.

In 2005, he joined

DNV in the Machinery Section of the Maritime Technical Advisory Group based in

Norway. The Advisory group provides consultancy and non-class support services

to ship owners, shipyards, manufacturers, designers and other stakeholders. In

2010 he moved to the DNV office in Houston, Texas.



Andersen currently

serves as Business Development Director for DNV Maritime, Region Americas. In

this role, he focuses on decarbonization, alternative fuels, environmental

compliance, energy efficiency, digital and new technologies. He is a member of

the SNAME M-16 Panel on Propulsion Shafting and is on the North America

Environmental Protection Association (NAMEPA) Board of Directors.



Andersen is a

graduate of the University of Washington with an M.S. in Mechanical

Engineering. He completed the DNV Top Tech Executive Education at University of

California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business in 2013.

The 2026 Port of the Future Conference, hosted by New Wave Media International, will host representatives from over 50 ports worldwide from North and South America, Europe, Africa and Asia. This year’s event includes nine (9) informative tracks on Port Infrastructure 4.0; Increasing Ports Operational Efficiency; Ensuring U.S. Maritime Security; Developing Ports; Intermodal Connectivity; Decarbonization and Alternate Fuels; Port Energy and Sustainability; Port Security, Cybersecurity, and Emergency Management; Advances in Dredging Technology and Techniques and other relevant topics.

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03/20/2026

Berto Ponce, Co-Founder and CEO at AI Strategic Solutions, will speak on “From Steel to Signals: How Connected Intelligence will redefine the next decade of Port Operations” at the 2026 Port of the Future Conference, to be held March 24-25, 2026, in Houston, Texas.

Register for the 2026 Port of the Future Conference at: https://portofthefutureconference.com/registration/

This session explores how ports and their inter-modal partners can evolve from fragmented, legacy-based operations to connected, intelligent ecosystems that improve flow across vessel, yard, gate, rail, and trucking. Drawing on a decade inside major port environments, this presentation highlights why awareness, not automation, is the defining capability of the next decade.

A live demo featuring a 3D-printed mini port with real sensors, PLCs, and asset tags will show how legacy and modern systems can work together in real time across the inter-modal chain. Attendees will walk away with practical insights into how to modernize without disruption and build a more resilient, connected, and inter-modal port.

Berto Ponce is a data and systems engineering leader with more than a decade of experience helping ports, logistics operators, federal programs, and Fortune 100 enterprises modernize their most complex operational environments. With an engineering mindset and a background in analytics, architecture, and integration, Berto specializes in bridging legacy OT systems with modern IT and AI-driven platforms to improve decision- making, visibility, and operational flow.

He has led and supported large-scale modernization efforts across supply chain logistics, health, transportation, automotive, finance, and insurance. Today, he leads strategic initiatives at A&I Strategic Solutions, where he helps organizations evaluate, adopt, and deploy connected-intelligence solutions, including ForgeTrack, that enhance resilience across the full intermodal ecosystem.

The 2026 Port of the Future Conference, hosted by New Wave Media International, will host representatives from over 50 ports worldwide from North and South America, Europe, Africa and Asia. This year’s event includes nine (9) informative tracks on Port Infrastructure 4.0; Increasing Ports Operational Efficiency; Ensuring U.S. Maritime Security; Developing Ports; Intermodal Connectivity; Decarbonization and Alternate Fuels; Port Energy and Sustainability; Port Security, Cybersecurity, and Emergency Management; Advances in Dredging Technology and Techniques and other relevant topics.


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03/19/2026

Join global port leaders, innovators, and researchers shaping the next generation of maritime operations. With representatives from 50+ seaports worldwide, the Port of the Future Conference delivers practical insights, strategic collaboration, and real-world solutions.
Network with executives, government leaders, and technology partners across the maritime ecosystem.
See proven port innovations in automation, data security, sustainability, and infrastructure resilience.
Bring back actionable ideas to improve operations, reduce risk, and accelerate digital transformation.
Register at: https://portofthefutureconference.com/registration/

03/19/2026

Rear Admiral Jim Watson, U.S. Coast Guard (Retired) will speak on the book “ZeroPointFour: How U.S. Leadership in Maritime Will Secure America’s Future,” at the 2026 Port of the Future Conference, to be held March 24-25, 2026, in Houston, Texas.

Register for the 2026 Port of the Future Conference at: https://portofthefutureconference.com/registration/

The United States lacks a discernible strategy to adequately control, manage, or profit from most forms of commercial maritime activity. Its shrinking influence over the construction and ownership of ships, the operation of ports, and the flow of goods through intermodal means, the U.S. has been relegated from maritime world leader to reluctant participant; trailing its allies and dangerously lagging behind its adversaries. The U.S. commercial fleet is in rapid and precipitous decline, seriously impacting national security.

James Watson is currently an independent consultant providing business development services to maritime clients. He previously held the position of Senior Vice President of American Bureau of Shipping Global Government Services, where he was responsible for the government market sector across the four ABS divisions and technology. Before becoming Senior VP of Global Government Services, Watson was President and COO for the Americas Division where he was responsible for all operations of the American Bureau of Shipping in the Western Hemisphere.

Prior to joining ABS, Watson served as Director of the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement at the US Department of Interior. In this role he provided regulatory oversight for energy exploration and production on the US Outer Continental Shelf.

Before becoming BSEE Director, Watson served as the US Coast Guard’s Director of Prevention Policy for Marine Safety, Security and Stewardship, where his responsibilities included commercial vessel safety and security, ports and cargo safety and security and maritime investigations. He was also designated as the Federal On-Scene Coordinator for the government-wide response to the Macondo incident in the Gulf of Mexico.

The 2026 Port of the Future Conference will host representatives from over 60 ports worldwide from North and South America, Europe, Africa and Asia.

This year’s event includes nine (9) informative tracks on Port Infrastructure 4.0; Increasing Ports Operational Efficiency; Ensuring U.S. Maritime Security; Developing Ports; Intermodal Connectivity; Decarbonization and Alternate Fuels; Port Energy and Sustainability; Port Security, Cybersecurity, and Emergency Management; Advances in Dredging Technology and Techniques and other relevant topics.

03/18/2026

Join global port leaders, innovators, and researchers shaping the next generation of maritime operations. With representatives from 50+ seaports worldwide, the Port of the Future Conference delivers practical insights, strategic collaboration, and real-world solutions.

Network with executives, government leaders, and technology partners across the maritime ecosystem.
See proven port innovations in automation, data security, sustainability, and infrastructure resilience.
Bring back actionable ideas to improve operations, reduce risk, and accelerate digital transformation.

Register at: https://portofthefutureconference.com/registration/

03/18/2026

Shawn Newman, Chief Intelligence Officer, CISO, Armada Growth Partners will speak on “Inside the Wire: Navigating Threat Actor Negotiations With Precision & Principle” at the 2026 Port of the Future Conference, to be held March 24-25, 2026, in Houston, Texas.

Register for the 2026 Port of the Future Conference at: https://portofthefutureconference.com/registration/



Through the lens of crisis response, attendees will gain actionable insights on how seasoned negotiators engage with threat actors while preserving organizational integrity, managing regulatory risks, and aligning responses with evolving threat intelligence. This session demystifies common misconceptions, presents negotiation archetypes, and highlights lessons learned from the trenches to build confidence and competence in future incident response engagements.

Shawn is an accomplished professional with over 30 years of experience in cyber and traditional warfare within the .mil and .gov sectors. Backed by numerous professional licensures and certifications, Shawn brings a unique multidisciplinary skillset to the table supporting organizations. To name a few of his notable experience, he has established robust Threat Intelligence programs providing real time corporate situational awareness pertaining to threat actors. He was partnered on the implementation of DC3(Defense Cyber Crime Center) between the FBI and DOD. Shawn was part of the design of cyber warfare for offensive platform DDX (21st Century Stealth Destroyer). He is a sanctioned Threat Actor Negotiator (TAN) and has led and negotiated over 550 Incident Response engagements, demonstrating an extraordinary track record of success and a proven ability to drive results. Additionally, Shawn has experience serving as Incident Response (IR) lead for Fortune 100 companies, effectively navigating complex cybersecurity challenges. With a career marked by strategic leadership and an unwavering commitment to excellence, Shawn continues to deliver impactful solutions and drive innovation in the ever-evolving landscape of cyber defense and intelligence operations.



The 2026 Port of the Future Conference, hosted by New Wave Media International, will host representatives from over 60 ports worldwide from North and South America, Europe, Africa and Asia.

This year’s event includes nine (9) informative tracks on Port Infrastructure 4.0; Increasing Ports Operational Efficiency; Ensuring U.S. Maritime Security; Developing Ports; Intermodal Connectivity; Decarbonization and Alternate Fuels; Port Energy and Sustainability; Port Security, Cybersecurity, and Emergency Management; Advances in Dredging Technology and Techniques and other relevant topics.

03/17/2026

Dr. Beatriz Canamary, Founder and CEO, Sure Strategy Group / COO Seatrain / Co-Founder, AMIC_ American Maritime Industrial Coalition, will speak on “Modular Submersible Cargo Gliders- SeaTrain” at the 2026 Port of the Future Conference, to be held March 24-25, 2026, in Houston, Texas.



Register for the 2026 Port of the Future Conference at: https://portofthefutureconference.com/registration/

SeaTrain ™ gliders are innovative, modular submersible cargo gliders powered by a patented variable buoyancy propulsion technology for commercial, defense and energy applications. This unique system allows gliders to move quietly underwater without engines, fuel, or emissions. Their autonomous, unmanned operation eliminates crew costs and enhances safety. The modular nature enables automotive-style mass production in shipyards, allowing rapid scaling to fulfill national strategic objectives.

Dr. Beatriz Canamary is a strategic advisor specializing in maritime, port, and infrastructure operations. She co-founded the American Maritime Industrial Coalition (AMIC), which leads the U.S. Maritime Revitalization Agenda — coordinating shipyards, investors, and workforce programs to accelerate ex*****on of national maritime policy.



As COO of Seatrain, she is advancing autonomous submersible cargo transport from concept toward commercial deployment. She leads ZESTA's contributions to the IMO Maritime Safety Committee on the Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) Code, providing direct engagement with the regulatory framework for autonomous shipping.



Dr. Canamary previously served as Executive Director at a $6.5 billion steel and port complex, and led negotiation of a joint venture with the Port of Rotterdam across three jurisdictions. She holds a Doctorate focused on sustainability innovation in U.S. ports and an M&A certificate from Harvard Business School.

The 2026 Port of the Future Conference, hosted by New Wave Media International, will host representatives from over 50 ports worldwide from North and South America, Europe, Africa and Asia. This year’s event includes nine (9) informative tracks on Port Infrastructure 4.0; Increasing Ports Operational Efficiency; Ensuring U.S. Maritime Security; Developing Ports; Intermodal Connectivity; Decarbonization and Alternate Fuels; Port Energy and Sustainability; Port Security, Cybersecurity, and Emergency Management; Advances in Dredging Technology and Techniques and other relevant topics.

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