AS THE year comes to an end, it is time to reflect on what has been learned during the unprecedented events of the past 12 months and look ahead to what 2021 will bring.

For shipping, recovery from the pandemic must be achieved at the same time as tackling two other strategic dilemmas that will inevitably be game-changers for the industry — digitalisation and decarbonisation.

The events of 2020 will leave an indelible mark on business operations going forward and present the maritime sector with new tests and targets.

Questions that need to be addressed include: What does the new normal look like? How can shipping efficiently transition to zero carbon? Is there a more sustainable business model for the sector? Who will finance shipping in the new circular economy?

The annual Lloyd’s List Shipping Outlook Forum has established itself as the agenda-setting event of the maritime calendar, gathering an exclusive panel of the industry’s leading lights along with Lloyd’s List and Lloyd’s List Intelligence experts to directly answer the critical questions shaping maritime markets.

This year the forum is fully digital and will incorporate interactive and audience participation elements that bring you even closer to the experts.

As part of the live debate, attendees and speakers will be asked for their market expectations via a live voting system.

The consensus view from the forum will then be combined with a series of online polls and the Lloyd’s List 2021 Outlook publication to create a unique and informed overview of the key issues that will determine the fortunes for shipping in the years to come.

As part of a wider project to add some much-needed transparency to shipping market dynamics, Lloyd’s List has also teamed up with classification society Lloyd’s Register to launch a regular Decarbonisation Survey.

By charting the industry’s position on alternative fuels, investment and financing, the survey will start to reveal a uniquely independent view of the industry’s shift towards low- and zero-carbon fuels.

The initial results will be presented and discussed at this year’s forum. To make sure your voice is heard, please complete the survey by following this link or selecting the sidebar article in the text above.

Moderated by Lloyd’s List editor Richard Meade, this year’s Lloyd’s List Shipping Outlook Forum takes place on December 1 at 2pm London | 4pm Athens | 9am New York.

The expert panel consists of:

• Grahaeme Henderson, Vice-President, Shipping and Maritime, Shell International

• Nick Brown, Marine & Offshore Director, Lloyd’s Register

• Michael Parker, Chairman of Global Shipping, Logistics and Offshore at Citi

• Johannah Christensen, Managing Director, Global Maritime Forum

• Mark O'Neil, President and CEO of Columbia Shipmanagement

• Angelica Kemene, Co-Founder and CEO at Optima-X | Enso XL, Head of Market Analysis & Intelligence at Optima Shipping Services

For more information and to register for this unique event, please follow this link.