Page 11: of Marine News Magazine (November 2026)

10 12

Insights

Rik van Hemmen working waterfronts, and young people could encounter

Fuel: The Path Ahead the industry simply by walking down a pier. Today’s wa-

When talk turns to maritime tech, Van Hemmen believes terfronts are often recreational spaces, separated from the the adoption of heavy fuel oil ranks prominently. He argues commercial operations that sustain the economy.

that the industry’s decision to place relatively unprocessed re-

Someone watching a containership enter New York sidual fuel aboard ships and require crews to clean it through

Harbor might be fascinated by the vessel, but have no idea onboard treatment systems represents an example of com- how to turn that interest into a career.

mercial incentives producing an inef? cient overall result.

Van Hemmen wants to change that through SL7 Expo,

His daughter, who previously worked at Martin & Ot- an initiative proposing to convert a former SL7 contain- taway and now works for Ørsted, once questioned why ership, subsequently converted into a roll-on/roll-off ves- the fuel was not cleaned to a consistent standard before sel, into a major maritime exhibition and education cen- delivery. He agreed.

ter. Make no mistake: the concept is not simply a museum “This is a classic case of a failure where economically of maritime history, rather it would emphasize contem- something gets done, but when you look at the actual re- porary careers, technology and opportunities, connecting sult of it, it’s just plain stupid.” visitors with the industry’s many routes to employment.

He is not arguing that heavy fuel oil could never have

Van Hemmen envisions an attraction comparable in ambi- been used. His objection concerns how the system evolved tion to the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, and where the operational burden was placed. By contrast, complemented by practical waterfront programs.

The organizers submitted an unsolicited proposal to

MARAD, but van Hemmen said the agency declined to support it on cost grounds. He cited an estimated $20 million annual requirement associated with maintaining the ship. His frustration is rooted in the contrast between spending on maritime infrastructure and the limited re- sources devoted to introducing people to the industry. “Maritime is a human enterprise,” he said. “If you don’t bring the humans in, you can spend all the money you want. It’s just not going to happen.”

He believes the industry should particularly reach com- munities where maritime careers are not traditionally con- sidered. The opportunity is not simply to ? ll shipboard positions. It is to provide a route into skilled employment and the middle class.

But van Hemmen’s argument goes further.

He believes maritime experience produces better deci- sion makers, even among people who ultimately pursue other professions.

“Maritime is one of the best training grounds in the world for humans,” said van Hemmen, citing its combina- tion of independence, teamwork, responsibility and man- ageable risk makes.

“You need to put the kids in the real to make them power- ful.” Young people need opportunities to make mistakes, learn from them and develop con? dence. They also need mentors willing to admit they do not always have the answers. “The best teachers say, ‘I have no idea. Let’s ? gure it out together.’” www.marinelink.com MN 11|