Matthieu de Tugny on championing transparency in a changing world

A new year is upon us once again. For many of us, January is a month of preparation and anticipation, in which we ask ourselves what lies ahead, and how we will face it.

In 2022, with the resumption of in-person events, we began to feel that our world was returning to normal after so many months of disruption. But we could also feel a definite shift in what we consider normal. From how we work to what we prioritize and who we work with, it’s clear that our traditional industry is changing quickly to keep pace with an increasingly complex world.

Navigating complexity with transparency

As has been widely discussed, the maritime sector is going through a fundamental transformation. Driven by the pressure to decarbonize, the promise of digitalization and the demands of an increasingly globalized economy, a new industry will emerge – one quite different from our current one.

What will we need to get to the next stages of this evolution? Simply, cooperation and collaboration, both within the maritime world and beyond. We will need to share expertise and learn from other sectors – notably energy production and supply, tech and, crucially, finance. Class will play its role in these exchanges as a shaper of trust through transparency.

Shaping trust in a world of change

There are two principal means by which we promote transparency at Bureau Veritas. Firstly, by translating global statutory regulations into Rules : actionable guidelines for owners, operators, manufacturers and yards. Secondly, but no less importantly, by helping shape the conditions needed for industry collaboration and the development and adoption of new technologies.

In the next twelve months, I expect we will see great progress in carbon emissions reduction and energy efficiency. For these developments to succeed, pioneers from the different worlds of maritime and digital technology will need to collaborate for lasting change and mutual benefit. To reap these benefits, we will need to make further use of existing digital technologies onboard and better leverage the resulting data. This will require a radical change in the way we work together and manage data.

At Bureau Veritas we help create the ecosystems that will enable these breakthroughs. We connect stakeholders, supporting joint ventures and facilitating decisions and investments by building trust. And by supporting initiatives like the All Aboard Alliance, we seek to attract a diversity of new talent to help build a more inclusive and more modern maritime industry.
At Bureau Veritas we help create the ecosystems that will enable these breakthroughs. We connect stakeholders, supporting joint ventures and facilitating decisions and investments by building trust. And by supporting initiatives like the All Aboard Alliance , we seek to attract a diversity of new talent to help build a more inclusive and more modern maritime industry.

Fundamentally, the evolution of our industry – be it digital or sustainability-related – will be people powered. A diverse and inclusive workforce that attracts and retains skilled profiles will be needed to get us to the next level. Not only diversity of talent, but also diversity of perspective will be needed to make sure we are asking the right questions to improve the maritime industry for all. To open up the maritime world, we need to showcase how vital shipping is in the overall fight against climate change. This is an exciting time to be a part of our sector and we must do whatever we can to make that visible.

As we step into 2023, I hope you are looking ahead with a sense of optimism. Certainly, this year will bring with it its own particular challenges, just like every year that has preceded it. While it may not all be plain sailing, we can feel the pieces coming together toward a better maritime world. We’re looking forward to sharing the next stages of this voyage with you.

Matthieu de Tugny, President