2nd CSN Northern European Crewing Conference
Crewing 5.0: Bridging the Gap Between Digital Efficiency and Human Reliability
2nd CSN Northern European Crewing Conference
Crewing 5.0: Bridging the Gap Between Digital Efficiency and Human Reliability
About the Event
Following the resounding success of our previous conferences in Limassol, Athens, and Hamburg, the CSN Crewing Conference series returns to set a new industry benchmark. We are no longer just discussing “awareness”, we are addressing the collision of regulatory pressure, digital transformation, and complex logistics.
The 2nd CSN Northern European Crewing Conference will take place on 22 September 2026 at the Hotel Hafen Hamburg – Elbkuppel in Hamburg.
The Narrative: High-Tech & High-Touch
This year, we bridge the gap between the Human Element and the Digital Future. The agenda is designed to answer the industry’s most pressing questions:
- The Logistics & Travel Challenge: Crew changes are more expensive and complex than ever. We will dissect the realities of Crew Travel, exploring how to manage rising flight costs, visa friction, and the “last mile” of deployment efficiently.
- The Regulatory Shield: With RightShip’s RISQ and the Crew Welfare Self-Assessment becoming commercial necessities, how do shipowners ensure they remain charter-ready?
- The Cost of Health: As P&I Crew Claims rise, we move beyond basic “wellness” to discuss strategic mental health interventions that protect both the seafarer and the bottom line.
- The AI Advantage: How is Artificial Intelligence transforming the sector? From predictive sourcing to automated logistics, we explore how AI supports, rather than replaces the human touch.
LIMITED SEATS
200
SPEAKERS
20
Starting the day
Registration and Welcome Coffee
Sponsored by Giovanti Travel
Note from the organisers
Adonis Violaris, Managing Director – CSN
Welcome from the chairman of the conference
Marko Saul, Chief Executive Office & Co-Founder – Crewpoint Travel
Welcome address
Constantinos Vasiliou, Marine Surveyor | Consul General – Consulate General of the Republic of Cyprus in Hamburg
Keynote Speech
Holger Jäde , Advisor Recruiting and Training – VDR
Session 1
The Logistics of Talent – Sourcing, Travel, and the AI Revolution
In an era of shrinking talent pools and volatile global markets, the “Logistics of Talent” has become a critical strategic pillar for shipowners. This session dives deep into the dual challenge of finding the right people and moving them across the globe efficiently. We will explore cutting-edge strategies for crew recruitment and retention, alongside a pragmatic look at the current crew travel landscape. Experts will discuss managing rising aviation costs, navigating visa friction, and mitigating travel risks. Furthermore, we examine how Artificial Intelligence is transforming these back-office burdens into competitive advantages through predictive scheduling and automated logistics, ensuring that digital efficiency serves the human operation.
During the panel discussion, we will dissect the logistical realities of crew changes, including managing rising flight costs, navigating visa complexities, and examining the indispensable role port agents play in ensuring a seamless final transfer to the vessel.
End of the Tradeoff: How AI Finally Bridges Crew Travel’s Oldest Divide
Marko Saul, Chief Executive Office & Co-Founder – Crewpoint Travel
Sourcing and Training of Crew: The Yacht Industry Perspective
Norman Schmiedl, CEO – Columbia Blue
Panel discussion: Technology in the Driver’s Seat: Rethinking the Last Mile of Crew Change
Moderator:
Toomas Koost, Chief Operating Officer & Co-Founder – Crewpoint Travel
Panelists:
– Norman Schmiedl, CEO – Columbia Blue
– Alan Croft, Business Development Manager – International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN)
– Andreas Papachristophorou, Maritime Commercial & AI Consultant
– Angelos Samolis, Sales Manager – Giovanti Travel
Coffee Break
Sponsored by Columbia Group
Session 2
The Human Core – From Mental Health to High Performance and The AI Impact on the Human Element
This session returns to the heart of the industry: the seafarer. We move beyond the general rhetoric of “wellness” to address the concrete implementation of actionable mental health support systems onboard. The discussion explores the direct link between a robust welfare culture—balancing social connectivity with restorative rest and the measurable outcomes of safety and performance.
As maritime operations enter the era of Crewing 5.0, Artificial Intelligence is moving from the back office to the forefront of human resource management. Our speakers will examine how AI is now being utilised for the real-time assessment of crew competency and mental readiness, providing data-driven insights to improve safety.
We will address the vital challenge of ensuring that machine intelligence acts as a bridge for support rather than a barrier to social connectivity, ensuring technology empowers the crew rather than isolating them. By focusing on the “High-Touch” aspect of our theme, we will explore how a supportive onboard environment, augmented by intelligent tools, is not just a moral obligation, but a strategic imperative for a resilient and innovative maritime future.
Human Reliability: Beyond the Data. Why High-Tech Needs High-Touch in the Future of Maritime Safety
Valentina Gigante, Shipboard Psychologist | Human Factors & HR – Corsica Ferries | WISTA Italy Member
TBA
Alexandra Kaloulis, Managing Director – IMEQ Centre
Panel discussion: The Human Element: Mental Health, High Performance and the AI Revolution in Crew Sourcing
Moderator:
Gudmundur Ebenezer, CEO – Lifekeys AS
Panelists:
– Alexandra Kaloulis, Managing Director – IMEQ Centre
– Capt. Özgür Alemdağ, CEO – Maritime Trainer
– Valentina Gigante, Shipboard Psychologist | Human Factors & HR – Corsica Ferries | WISTA Italy Member
– Holger Jäde, Advisor Recruiting and Training – VDR
– Silke Lehmköster, Managing Director Fleet – Hapag-Lloyd
Lunch Break
Sponsored by TBA
Session 3
The Regulatory and Legal Landscape – Vetting, Welfare, and Liability
As regulatory pressure evolves into a commercial necessity, staying “charter-ready” requires a sophisticated understanding of new vetting frameworks. This session provides a deep dive into the practical implications of RightShip’s RISQ and the Crew Welfare Self-Assessment, offering clear guidance on how to navigate these requirements successfully. Beyond compliance, we shift our focus to the legal and financial realities of P&I Crew Claims. By analysing current trends in injury and illness claims, our speakers will outline proactive management techniques to mitigate liabilities and protect the bottom line, ensuring that legal safeguards and operational excellence go hand-in-hand.
During the panel discussion, we will explore the transition from general discussion to actionable support systems onboard, focusing on creating a culture that balances social connectivity with rest while directly linking welfare to safety and performance.
The Regulatory Shield – RightShip’s RISQ & Crew Welfare Self-Assessment
Eva Rodriguez, Director of Crew Pool Expansion Africa – Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement
The Cost of Health & P&I Crew Claims
Elias Constantinou, COO – Acheon Akti Navigation
Panel discussion: Safeguarding the Crew: Integrating RightShip RISQ with P&I Health Claims Strategy
Moderator:
Capt. Eugen Adami, Managing Director – Mastermind Shipmanagement
Panelists:
– Capt. Manish Verma, GM Marine Operations – Acheon Akti Navigation
– Steve Yandell, Assistant Co-ordinator for ITF Seafarers Section – ITF
– Constantinos Vasiliou, Marine Surveyor | Consul General – Consulate General of the Republic of Cyprus in Hamburg
– Eva Rodriguez, Director of Crew Pool Expansion Africa – Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement
– Thomas Boddy, Policy Officer (Employment Affairs) – International Chamber of Shipping
Who should attend
The conference will bring together various key industry stake-holders including but not limited to: ship owners, ship managers, airlines, traveling agencies, HR Recruitment agencies, Crewing companies and associated solution providers such as maritime technology providers, consultants and cross-cultural experts, etc.
Closing remarks from the chairman
Marko Saul, Chief Executive Office & Co-Founder – Crewpoint Travel
Charity Ceremony
– Stella Violari, Editor – CSN
– TBA
– TBA
Thank you from the organisers
Adonis Violaris, Managing Director – CSN
Network Cocktail
Sponsored by MARITIME TRAINER
Download the agenda
SPEAKERS
20
Managing Director - CSN
CEO & Co-founder - Crewpoint
Marine Surveyor | Consul General – Consulate General of the Republic of Cyprus in Hamburg
Advisor Recruiting and Training – VDR
CEO – Columbia Blue
Chief Product Officer & Co-founder of Crewpoint
Business Development Manager - International Seafarers' Welfare & Assistance Network (ISWAN)
Maritime Commercial & AI Consultant
Sales Manager - Giovanti Travel
Shipboard Psychologist | Human Factors & HR – Corsica Ferries | WISTA Italy Member
Managing Director – IMEQ Center
Founder & CEO - Lifekeys
CEO – Maritime Trainer
Managing Director Fleet - Hapag-Lloyd
Director of Crew Pool Expansion Africa - Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement
Chief Operating Officer - Acheon Akti Navigation
Managing Director - Mastermind Shipmanagement
GM Marine Operations – Acheon Akti Navigation
Assistant Co-ordinator for ITF Seafarers Section – ITF
Policy Officer (Employment Affairs) - International Chamber of Shipping
Editor – CSN
Media Gallery
Media Gallery
Note from the organisers
Adonis Violaris, Managing Director – CSN
Welcome from the chairman of the conference
Henrik Jensen, CEO – Danica Crewing Specialist
Welcome address, Stavros Avgoustides
Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus in Athens
“Championing Diversity and Inclusion”
Anna Pittalis, Commercial Director, Head of Shipping & Trading – Intergaz Ltd / President – WISTA Cyprus
“Crew Wellbeing and Emerging Global Connectivity Options”
Julien Ledoux, Account Manager for Content Services – KVH Media Group Communication Ltd
“Navigating the Future. Welfare, Skill development and digitalisation for seafarers”
Capt. George Papanelopoulos, Head of Vetting, Training & Development Dept. – Cyprus Sea Lines Co Ltd
Panel discussion: “What are the key challenges in implementing comprehensive crew welfare programs on board ships?”
Information about ASAP Athens
Konstantina Fanara, Account Manager – ASAP Athens
Adonis Violaris, Managing Director of CSN will conduct an On-Stage Spotlight Interview with Stylianos Psillakis, Technical Director at Columbia Group
“Safe, Skilled & Empowered: Redefining Crew Performance at Sea”
Chrysoula Vasiliki Patrikiou, Chief Business Officer – Pyli Net
“Steering Maritime Competence, Wellbeing, and Compliance: Assess, Train & Retain”
Aashish Puri, Chief Revenue Officer – MARITIME TRAINER
Panel discussion: “How can shipping companies balance the need for safety and compliance training with the importance of fostering a positive work culture and employee motivation?”
Closing remarks from the chairman
Henrik Jensen, CEO – Danica Crewing Specialist
Charity Ceremony
Stella Violari, Editor – CSN
Dr. Ioannis Patinionis – Founder of SHiPScraft method
LifeLine Hellas – Dr. Angeliki Margariti-Andrews
Thank you from the organisers
Adonis Violaris, Managing Director – CSN
Sponsors & Supporters
PLATINUM SPONSOR
GOLD SPONSOR
GOLD SPONSOR
TRAVEL SPONSOR
WELCOME COFFEE SPONSOR
COFFEE BREAK SPONSOR
NETWORK COCKTAIL SPONSOR
COMMUNICATION PARTNER
MEDIA PARTNER
UNDER THE AUSPICES OF
SUPPORTER
SUPPORTER
SUPPORTER
Location
Hotel Hafen Hamburg
Conference Room: Elbkuppel
Seewartenstraße 9, 20459 Hamburg, Germany
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