Global Maritime Forum launches 2022 essay competition by inviting youth to help the maritime industry boost human sustainability

The fourth annual Future Maritime Leaders essay competition invites students and young professionals to share their ideas on how to significantly improve human sustainability across the maritime industry by 2030. The winners will secure a place at the Global Maritime Forum’s Annual Summit 2022 in New York.

April 04 2022

Human sustainability equals dignity and respect for every human being across the maritime industry. It has emerged as increasingly important during the pandemic and with the current situation in Ukraine, all of which has highlighted the need for the maritime industry to extend the existing sustainability agenda in maritime to further include the human aspect – both at sea and onshore.

The Global Maritime Forum calls on students and young professionals, within the maritime sector and beyond, to share their ideas on how the maritime industry might significantly improve its approach to human sustainability by 2030. Particularly asking for what participants find to be the most important issue and/or challenge to be addressed, and which concrete actions maritime industry stakeholders need to take to address the issue.

A Selection Committee comprised of senior maritime stakeholders and a former essay competition winner will select three winning essays. The authors will be awarded the opportunity to participate in the Global Maritime Forum’s Annual Summit 2022 in New York.

“Human sustainability will be a strategic priority for the maritime industry going forward. The essay competition is a unique opportunity for the industry and for maritime decision-makers to learn from leaders of the future and their ideas as to what we need to do to significantly improve on human sustainability,” says Christine Loh, Chief Development Strategist, Institute for the Environment, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong. Christine Loh chairs the Selection Committee that will decide on the winners of the competition.

At the Global Maritime Forum’s Annual Summit taking place on 22-23rd September 2022 in New York City, the competition winners will represent the voice of the next generation and take up active roles as full participants alongside 250 public and private sector leaders. The winners will receive full sponsoring for the duration of the event, as well as have their contribution published on the Global Maritime Forum’s website.

“For any young aspiring leader with the passion to learn, interact and participate in the strategic discussions setting the agenda for what will happen in the industry in the years to come, this is an unique opportunity which will give you the chance to engage with various industry leaders and influential decision makers with your valuable views and contribute towards the enhancement of our industry,” adds Pinak Dandapat, Third Navigation Officer at Eaglestar Marine Holding and one of the winners of the Future Maritime Leaders essay competition 2021.

As a new addition to the competition this year, the top 30 essay contributors will be invited to a strategy seminar in August for a collective discussion on human sustainability in 2030 together with students and young professionals from across the world.

Essay competition topic

If the maritime industry is to significantly improve its approach to human sustainability by 2030, what do you see as the most important issue and/or challenge that needs to be addressed? Discuss concrete actions maritime industry stakeholders need to take to address the issue.

Essay competition criteria

  • The competition is open to students and young professionals aged 18-30.
  • Essay submissions in “op-ed” form (pdf) should not comprise more than 1000 words
  • Participants in the competition should also attach their CV and a submission form
  • Submission deadline is 30th April 2022
  • Competition winners will be announced in early August

Selection Committee

  • Christine Loh, Chief Development Strategist, Institute for the Environment, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Head of Committee)
  • Stephen Cotton, General Secretary, International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF)
  • Oivind Lorentzen III, Director, SEACOR Holdings
  • Camille Simbulan, Head of Communication and Special Projects, Associated Marine Officers and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP); winner of the 2020 Future Maritime Leaders essay competition
  • Karrie Trauth, SVP Shipping & Maritime, Shell
  • Capt. Rajesh Unni, Founder and CEO, Synergy Marine Group

Learn more about the Future Maritime Leaders essay competition here.
Photos and logos are available for download here.
For further information: Head of Communications (interim), Sofie Rud rud@globalmaritimeforum.org or +45 28102332

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