Representatives and associates of the maritime industry gathered for the Australiasian Institute of Marine Surveyors (AIMS) biennial conference, which was this year held in Brisbane last Friday (27 September).
The conference saw a host of guest speakers from a range of sectors, including marine surveying and maritime, both commercial and recreational, as well as the legal industry and academia, amongst others.
The theme for the AIMS 2024 conference was Embracing Change and Uncertainty, which was integrated into the day’s speeches, with a number of speakers referencing ongoing and emerging global challenges, ranging from the Red Sea Crisis to extreme weather to artificial intelligence (AI), linking the topics to the future of maritime and marine surveying specifically.
Kim Gebers, chief operating officer of the Gladstone Ports Corporation, conducted the official opening and welcome address, giving attendees an update on the Port of Gladstone and other GPC-operated ports’ current initiatives and medium-term economic outlook, with Mr Gebers highlighting marine surveyors as “an integral part of the GPC safety system”.
Following was AIMS chairman John Holden with the ‘Chairman’s Review’, which he announced would be his final address as chairman of the board, having reached the maximum time allowed as a board member under the AIMS’ constitution.
Mr Holden signposted the “huge growth and changes” which he said reflected where AIMS is currently in the Australian Maritime Industry, mentioning also active efforts to extend the AIMS brand into the recreational boating industry.
Mr Holden also discussed the “growing association” between AIMS and MaritimeNZ, stating,
“It almost seems obvious that we should engage with New Zealand.”
Next was Professor Luke van der Laan from the University of Southern Queensland, whose presentation’s focal point was wisdom in an era of machine intelligence, discussing AI’s impact and the increasing risks of cyber security.
Kenny Crawford from MaritimeNZ, New Zealand’s maritime regulatory body, discussed the changes facing NZ’s maritime industry, including regulatory frameworks not keeping pace with development, the desire to change with industry and not as a reaction to industry, and the country’s poor workplace health and safety record in its major industries.
James Neil, director of Aus Ship Lawyers, stated in his speech that the marine surveying industry “doesn’t have much to fear” from artificial intelligence, also summarizing current developments in the world of P&I Clubs.
Kell Dillon, general manager of Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) gave an engaging address regarding his tenure so far at the helm of the agency, including MSQ’s efforts during the 2022 floods in Brisbane, noting he joined MSQ “to the sounds of thunder in the background”, the floods occurring in his second week on the job.
MSQ’s current initiative looks to finalise an agreement for sustainable and resilient floating pontoons and structures in Queensland waterways.
Andrew Fielding, the business development manager of the Boating Industry Association, spoke on the growing trajectory of boating in Australia, an industry with an annual turnover of $10 billion, with 1 in 10 Australians owning a boat license.
Mr Fielding placed importance on improving the relationship between broker and surveyor, wishing to increase safety for transactions between broker and buyer to ensure the quality of vessels being purchased.
Kerryn Woonings, a marine surveyor and loss adjuster, spoke on some of the myths and realities of electric vehicle transportation via shipping, following media attention regarding cases of onboard fires.
Nick Parkyn from Nick Parkyn Marine Surveying, who has a background in both the marine and information technology sectors, delivered an in-depth presentation on the topic of AI and marine surveying.
Mr Parkyn explained the different types of AI technology, its current constraints and development potential, as well as discussing what role AIMS could play in ensuring governance and correct ethical usage of the technology, whilst also identifying new areas for AI’s usage in marine surveying.
The conference was concluded with a Q&A forum with AIMS board members, facilitated by John Holden.
The same evening saw the AIMS conference dinner and awards night.
