The SNAME Western Europe Section (WES) held its annual Symposium on Friday, November 3, 2023 in London, UK. Thanks to ABS who has sponsored the event since its inception. On Saturday, November 4, the symposium attendees were treated with a mid-day tour and reception aboard the World War II era Light Cruiser HMS Belfast, which is beautifully restored and moored in the Thames River.
WES Chair Keith Lilley opened the symposium with an introduction of attendees, an overview of the agenda for Friday’s symposium, and Saturday’s reception aboard the Belfast. The Section was pleased to welcome SNAME President Rick Spaulding and his wife at the event. Rick welcomed the attendees and gave a short background presentation on his experience with computers and digitization in ship design and construction during his career. Twenty-two students from SNAME student section at the University of Strathclyde traveled from Glasgow Scotland to attend the symposium, and Rick was honored to meet and talk with the students during coffee breaks and during the Saturday reception.
Fifty-five professionals and students attended the symposium virtually and in-person, which was focused on the topic “Digitalisation and our Changing Workplace”. Five papers and presentations were discussed on the topic during the symposium from Cadmatic, Siemens Digital Industries, Shell Shipping and Maritime, American Bureau of Shipping, and the University of Strathclyde. In addition, Keith Lilley (Chair of WES) announced the winners of the WES annual Student Paper Contest and issued awards to the winning students.
A particularly fine acceptance speech and brief presentation for her 2nd place award was given in a prerecorded message from Danielle Pagsanghan of STI Namei, Philippines which embodied the reason this contest is so beneficial. The symposium concluded with Ms. Viviana Carta, Paper Contest Coordinator for WES, announcing plans and rules for the 2024 Paper Contest.