Kris Vedat

Kris Vedat is the Chief Executive Officer of SmartSea, a leading innovator in maritime digital solutions. He has built a reputation as a transformational leader driving the industry’s digital evolution. Formerly Head of Technology and Logistics at P&O Maritime Logistics, Mr Vedat has a diverse work experience spanning over two decades in the field of technology and logistics. At P&OML he was responsible for overseeing technology and logistics operations, driving technological advancements, and ensuring smooth IT operations within the organisation. Kris is a frequent speaker at international maritime conferences and a strong advocate for collaboration between technology providers, regulators, and ship operators to advance decarbonisation and operational transparency. He holds a Master’s degree in Maritime Operations and Technology and has completed executive programs in digital strategy and leadership.

Session Overview

Wednesday, 5 November

15:35

Maritime & Logistics Conference Room A 15:35 - 16:05

Catalysing international supply chains through port integration

As energy transformation continues to gather momentum, ports are playing a central role in strengthening the global logistics ecosystem, facilitating seamless and efficient supply chains. Industry projections suggest that container volumes could grow by as much as 4% this year and streamlined port operations have the potential to unlock up to US$400 billion in annual trade value worldwide, according to World Bank estimates. By overcoming hurdles linked to coordination gaps, legacy systems and operational bottlenecks, enhanced port integration could result in greater speed, reliability and cooperation across the international maritime and logistics network. Innovation in this space also promises to deliver more efficient, cost-effective and resilient supply chain operations, paving the way for sustainable governance and growth. Integration will prove equally crucial in the transportation, storage and bunkering of novel energy sources, as greener fuels such as methanol and ammonia achieve scale. Thanks to their potential to convene shipping lines, fuel producers, regulators, and infrastructure players will remain critical enablers of collaboration across the global value chain.

Attendee insights:

Learn how ports and logistics leaders are leveraging strategic collaboration to balance the push for decarbonisation with operational efficiency and long-term resilience.