Captain Jonathon Pearce joined BP as a cadet in 1979 and qualified as a Master Mariner in 1990.  He has served in all ranks, including master, on various types of vessels.  In 1994 he took a shore position as pilot in Port Taranaki, New Zealand.  In 2006 he returned to the United Kingdom as a risk assessor and undertook numerous formal safety audits of UK ports. He has been involved with LNG risk assessments and is an expert witness on pilotage issues.  In 2008 he joined OMC International as their Business Development Manager due to his extensive knowledge of their Dynamic Under-keel Clearance systems.  He is a highly knowledgeable on ship motions, under-keel clearance and vessel squat and presents internationally and nationally on these issues.  In March 2014, he was sworn in as a Younger Brother of Trinity House. In 2020 he was accepted as a Chartered Master Mariner.

Francisco Esteban has been President of PIANC, The World Association for Waterborne Transport Infrastructure since 2019, after eight years as Chairman of its Maritime Commission, after four years as member of the Inland Navigation Commission representing the Spanish National Section.

Francisco Esteban earned a master’s degree in civil engineering (ingeniero de caminos, canales y puertos) by the Madrid Polytechnic University in 1980, and a master’s degree in construction and electrical engineering (ingeniero de construcción y electricidad) by the Army Superior Polytechnic School in 1986. Francisco Esteban served 12 years in the Ministry of Defence (Navy and Army) where worked primarily in the Directorate of Infrastructure, tasked with infrastructure, international relations, and environmental protection.

In the Civil Service, worked in Ports of Spain as Chief of the Department of Projects.

In 1994, he began his career in private sector, in the technical services of FCC Construcción and ended his tenure in 2020 as technical director with global responsibilities in civil and building. His focus during this time was on engineering support for worldwide tenders and contracts for civil works and singular buildings, with a strong emphasis on port and waterway infrastructure.

Since 2020, he has been a member of the General Council of Colegio de Ingenieros de Caminos, Canales y Puertos (Spain), and since 2021, he has been a member of the Editorial Board of the Revista de Obras Públicas (Public Works Magazine).

He has been combining his duties as PIANC president with his work as an independent expert consultant globally for the past five years, including the role of advisor to TYPSA. Francisco Esteban participates in technical and management events worldwide.

Has received several military and civil recognitions.

Captain Stephan Berger (born 14 November 1981) is Harbour Master for the ports of Bremen and Bremerhaven, where he is responsible for ensuring the safety and efficiency of maritime traffic in one of Europe’s key port regions. He is married and has two children.

He began his maritime career in 2001 as a deck cadet while studying nautical science, graduating with a diploma in 2006. He subsequently joined Hapag-Lloyd, serving as a nautical officer before being promoted to chief officer in 2010. In 2016, he took command as master, a role he held until 2021. Alongside his seagoing career, he contributed to maritime education as an instructor for deck cadets.

Since moving ashore in 2021, Captain Berger has led the Port Authority Bremen’s nautical operations as Harbour Master. In parallel, he is actively engaged in shaping maritime policy and safety at both national and international levels. He has served as President of the Verband der deutschen Hafenkapitäne since 2022, and in 2024 was elected Vice President (Europe) of the International Harbour Masters' Association. He also chairs the Harbour Masters and Maritime Safety Experts Committee at the European Sea Ports Organisation.

Captain Berger brings extensive seagoing command experience together with regulatory and operational leadership ashore, contributing to the advancement of maritime safety, port operations and international cooperation.

Martin Mischke is a highly experienced maritime and energy professional with more than 20 years in liquid bulk shipping, LNG operations, and terminal consultancy. He is the Managing Director of BowWave Consulting GmbH, advising all German FSRU terminals as well as international ports, shipowners, and fuel suppliers. His expertise includes LNG, ammonia, methanol as marine fuels, terminal operations, mooring, safety systems, and regulatory compliance.

He previously held senior operational roles at Gasum / Nauticor, where he helped establish LNG supply operations, bunker permit frameworks, and industry standards through SGMF, DIN, and ISO. Earlier positions included Operations Manager, Vetting Manager, Company Security Officer, and Master Mariner on tankers in worldwide trade.

Academically, he holds a Diploma in Nautical Science, an MSc in International Maritime Management - his master’s thesis focused on ammonia and methanol as future marine fuels. Martin is currently studying for a Bachelor in German Law.”

Gianpaolo Benedetti is Director and Principal Advisor at VIEREON Maritime Consultancy, and a leading expert in marine energy transition and regulatory affairs.

He has authored key industry guidelines on alternative fuels, led international working groups, and worked closely with the International Maritime Organization and the European Sustainable Shipping Forum.

His work focuses on supporting the safe and practical implementation of low- and zero-carbon fuels across the maritime sector.