Paul S. Szwed

Paul S. Szwed  is an award-winning educator and a recognized pedagogical expert for the International Maritime Organization. He also is a lifelong water enthusiast – having lived on three of the four US coasts during his nearly three-decades in the US Coast Guard – retiring at the rank of Captain. Today, Paul is a professor of project and operations management at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. His educational background focuses on the ocean, sustainability, and innovative management – most notably in the maritime and blue economy.

 

 

 

 

Dr. Cassia Galvao

Dr. Cassia Galvao holds a PhD in Social Sciences and a Master of Science in Political Economy and is currently pursuing a Post-graduate Diploma in International Maritime Law. She is an Associate Professor at the Department of Maritime Business Administration of Texas A&M University at Galveston, a campus dedicated to the Marine Sciences and Maritime Studies. Academia is Dr Galvao’s second career, as she has started her journey in the Maritime Business working 15+ years for international maritime shipping companies, specializing in Marketing and Sales positions.  She serves at the TRB (Transportation Research Board) Ports and Channels Committee and as the Research Coordinator at the Marine Environment Committee. Dr. Galvao’s research is founded on qualitative data, applying various techniques of content analysis and multi-method analysis. Her publication covers applied research in niche topics in international maritime shipping (such as Refrigerated Cargo and Cruise Market) and issues in Port Governance, Port Law, and Reform Policies. Presently Dr. Galvao is working on several projects in Maritime Shipping Logistics and Port Development-related topics such as Port-City Relationship; Blue Economy; Green and Sustainable Shipping; Corporate Social Responsibility; and Stakeholder Management, including Ports Automation and Digitalization. Her passion is discovering new things and insights in the maritime business domain to help students bridge the gap between education and professional development and connect them with industry members.  For more details on Dr. Galvao’s Research and Professional development please visit:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassia-bomer-galvao-85b399a/ or
ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8424-1781

 

Capt. Leo Tvrde

Born in Split in 1971, he completed his studies in nautical science, graduating as a university. bacc. eng. naut. From 1989 to 2012, he pursued a seagoing career on ocean-going vessels, advancing to the rank of Captain. In 2012, he transitioned ashore to take on the role of Site Manager in Ulsan, South Korea, overseeing the construction of the high-heat chemical tankers Bluebird Arrow and Kingbird Arrow. The following year, the Royal Institution of Naval Architects recognized Bluebird Arrow in its annual publication Significant Ships, highlighting it as one of the most innovative and important commercial ship designs delivered worldwide in 2013. Significant Ships selections are made for their groundbreaking contributions in design, construction, and technology.
In 2015, following his assignment as Site Manager, he joined the Project Department of Gearbulk Norway, where he focused on decarbonization and performance monitoring through the integration of hardware and software solutions, while also addressing compliance with evolving environmental regulations in the shipping industry.
He is currently engaged in projects aimed at reducing organizational carbon emissions through both operational and technical energy-efficiency measures, delivering substantial short- and long-term emission reductions. His responsibilities include ensuring compliance with the International Maritime Organization’s decarbonization strategy and the European Union’s regulatory framework, including MRV, ETS, and FuelEU Maritime. He has been instrumental in developing and implementing monitoring, reporting, and verification systems, while supporting compliance with greenhouse gas reduction targets such as CII and EEXI.
In this capacity, he works closely with technical, operational, and regulatory stakeholders to integrate innovative fuel-saving technologies, optimize vessel performance through digital reporting tools, and establish best practices in line with international standards. He also contributes to cross-industry initiatives that promote sustainable shipping and support the transition toward low- and zero-carbon fuels, advancing the company’s long-term strategy for achieving global climate objectives.
He is the author or co-author of several industry-relevant papers and technical manuals, and has actively contributed to knowledge-sharing within the maritime sector. In addition, he has participated in numerous international conferences and seminars, both as an attendee and as a speaker, further strengthening his role as a recognized contributor to industry development and innovation.