Looking ahead to 2020 and beyond, both maritime and inland waterways will be under ever increasing pressure, as we use them for transport, recreation and commercially. At European Shipping week, Dr Pierre C. Sames, Chairman of the European Research Association and Director of Maritime Technology, Research and Development at classification society DNV GL, introduced a new initiative – Vessels for the Future – which aims to improve shipping’s safety record, sustainability and global competitiveness.

The 14th International Conference on Computer and IT Applications in the Maritime Industries (COMPIT) will take place from 11th to 13th May 2015 in Ulrichshusen, Germany. First held in the year 2000, COMPIT has established itself as a key conference in information technology (IT) for the mari-time industries, bringing together software developers and users.

Classification society DNV GL has certified maritime services provider Liberty One under ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 for its quality and environment management system. Matthias Ritters, DNV GL Regional Manager Germany, presented the certificates in Bremen to Dietrich Schulz, owner and Managing Director of Liberty One, along with Capt. Jan Stahmer, responsible for health and safety, environment and quality.