“Crewing 5.0: Bridging the Gap Between Digital Efficiency and Human Reliability”

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Date: 22 September 2026
Time: 09:00-15:00
Venue: Hotel Hafen Hamburg – Elbkuppel

The 2nd CSN Northern European Crewing Conference, titled “Crewing 5.0: Bridging the Gap Between Digital Efficiency and Human Reliability”, will take place on 22 September 2026 at the Hotel Hafen Hamburg – Elbkuppel in Hamburg.

Under the theme “Crewing 5.0: Bridging the Gap Between Digital Efficiency and Human Reliability,” the 2nd CSN Northern European Crewing Conference brings together maritime industry leaders, experts, and innovators to explore the latest advancements shaping the future of crewing and ship operations.

The conference is placed under the auspices of VDR and supported by the Shipping Deputy Ministry of Cyprus, ZVDS, IMEC, Container News and MASO Public Affairs. Attendance is free of charge for all members of the supporting organisations.

Join us in Hamburg to connect with industry pioneers, share knowledge, and contribute to a safer, more connected, and innovative maritime industry dedicated to empowering its most valuable asset — the seafarers.

This is going to be the 2nd event of CSN for Crewing in Hamburg and we would like to invite you to support the conference.

There are still available sponsorships and some panellists slots and those interested please contact us at csn@cyprusshippingnews.com.

The programme of the Conference is uploaded and will be updated in the following website:

2nd CSN Northern European Crewing Conference

AGENDA

09:00 Registration and Welcome Coffee sponsored by Giovanti Travel

09:30 Note from the organisers 

• Adonis Violaris, Managing Director – CSN 

09:35 Welcome from the chairman of the conference 

• Marko Saul, Chief Executive Office & Co-Founder – Crewpoint Travel

09:40 Welcome Address

• Constantinos Vasiliou, Marine Surveyor | Consul General – Consulate General of the Republic of Cyprus in Hamburg

09:50 Keynote Speech

• Holger Jäde , Advisor on Recruiting and Train – VDR

Session 1: Talent Sourcing & The Realities of Deployment

10:00 End of the Tradeoff: How AI Finally Bridges Crew Travel’s Oldest Divide

• Marko Saul, Chief Executive Office & Co-Founder – Crewpoint Travel

10:15  Sourcing and Training of Crew: The Yacht Industry Perspective

• Norman Schmiedl, CEO – Columbia Blue

10:30 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

Panellists: 

• 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

11:25 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 on Sourcing and Training

12:00 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

12:15 TBA

• Alexandra Kaloulis, Managing Director – IMEQ Centre

12:30 Panel discussion: The Human Element: Mental Health, High Performance and the AI Revolution in Crew Sourcing

Moderator: Gudmundur Ebenezer, CEO – Lifekeys AS 

Panellists:

• Valentina Gigante, Shipboard Psychologist | Human Factors & HR – Corsica Ferries | WISTA Italy Member
• Alexandra Kaloulis, Managing Director – IMEQ Centre
• Capt. Özgür Alemdağ, CEO – Maritime Trainer
• Holger Jäde , Advisor on Recruiting and Train – VDR

13:30 Lunch sponsored by Maritime Trainer

Session 3: The Regulatory Landscape & The Human Core

14:30 The Regulatory Shield – RightShip’s RISQ & Crew Welfare Self-Assessment

• Eva Rodriguez, Director of Crew Pool Expansion Africa – Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement

14:45 The Cost of Health & P&I Crew Claims

• Elias Constantinou, COO – Acheon Akti Navigation

15:00 Panel discussion: Safeguarding the Crew: Integrating RightShip RISQ with P&I Health Claims Strategy

Moderator: Capt. Eugen Adami, Managing Director – Mastermind Shipmanagement

Panellists:

• 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

15:55 Closing remarks from the chairman of the conference

• Marko Saul, Chief Executive Office & Co-Founder – Crewpoint Travel

16:00 Charity Ceremony 

• Stella Violari, Editor – CSN 
• TBA
• TBA

16:10 Thank you from the organisers 

• Adonis Violaris, Managing Director – CSN 

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Looking forward to a very successful event in Hamburg.