As the world moves towards a greener future, the shipping industry faces a critical challenge: how to move billions of tons of goods while drastically reducing carbon emissions. The solution lies in low-carbon transportation fuels, whether in the form of innovative molecules or cutting-edge electrons. California is at the forefront of this transformation, with the transportation fuels industry leading aggressive efforts to meet the growing demand for cleaner energy. From the Low Carbon Fuel Standard to the Cap-and-Trade program, and with federal investments in hydrogen development, the push for low-carbon solutions is driving research and deployment at an unprecedented scale. But what does this mean for the future of shipping?
Join us for an insightful panel discussion where we’ll explore the latest developments in green shipping corridors, the evolving landscape of low-carbon fuels, and the critical policies and innovations propelling this shift. Engage with industry leaders as we tackle the tough questions on how to balance environmental responsibility with the ever-growing demand for global goods movement.
Kat Janowicz is a leading environmental and business strategist in energy, transportation, technology, infrastructure, and global trade. She specializes in assessing clean technologies, demonstration projects, infrastructure upgrades, and their associated risks to support informed decision-making. She has worked closely with private industry, public agencies, and local communities on numerous projects and initiatives. During her twenty-six-year career, she has come to appreciate the life cycle of products and projects from the planning process to their finished state, including design, construction, operations and maintenance. An expert in process improvement, she puts a premium on education, training, and lessons learned and is frequently invited to speak on these topics. She also serves on the board of several trade associations.
Laura Hunter, Environmental Specialist for the City of Los Angeles Harbor Department (POLA), has over 20 years of professional experience in environmental and cultural resource management. Laura currently supports POLA’s Green Shipping Corridor efforts. Additionally, she provides support covering a number of POLA’s public agency advanced technology implementation grants from the California Energy Commission and California Air Resources Board, as well as joint projects with the South Coast Air Quality Management District and the Environmental Protection Agency. She has direct experience researching and analyzing complex technical issues and preparing related documents, writing laboratory analysis reports, preparing summary analysis reports for status updates and presentations, project completion reports, and recommendations for future compliance procedures.
Roger Wu is the Director of Business Development at the Port of Long Beach, California, a position he was appointed to in May 2020 after serving as Acting Director since 2018. With over 20 years of experience in the shipping industry, Mr. Wu joined the Port in 2007 and has held various roles, including Marketing Manager, Manager of Commercial Trade, and Assistant Director. He is responsible for developing business attraction strategies and maintaining relationships with ocean carriers, cargo owners, and supply chain partners to maximize revenue opportunities for the Port. Prior to joining the Port, Mr. Wu worked for NYK Line, Evergreen America Corporation, and EVA Air, and holds a bachelor's degree in Economics from UC Irvine and a master's degree in Global Logistics from CSU Long Beach.
Mark Nechodom joined WSPA in August 2020, and serves as Senior Director for Science & Technology. In this role, Mark helps to integrate advocacy and regulatory response on production issues for the organization. His duties also include staff lead on research, scientific studies, and tracking emerging energy technologies as the industry transitions to a lower-carbon future. As a former regulator of the oil and gas industry, Mark served as the Director of the California Department of Conservation under Governor Jerry Brown, and oversaw the activities of the Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources, now named the California Geologic Energy Management division (CalGEM). His familiarity with oil and gas operations, as well as his experiences as a senior official in both state and federal government, bring a practical and policy-rich perspective to the energy industry.
