Webinar: Unlocking the Potential of Waterborne Public Transport

As a Maritime Strategy and Network Manager with over 18 years of experience, I specialize in leading large-scale maritime operations, strategic planning, and innovation-driven projects. Currently, at NEOM, I oversee the development and execution of a 7-year Water Mobility Strategy, managing budgets and negotiating high worth contracts. My focus is on integrating cutting-edge technologies like smart robotics and vessel autonomy, ensuring the sustainability and future-proofing of NEOM’s water mobility infrastructure.

With a strong emphasis on cross-functional collaboration and environmental sustainability, I’ve led initiatives that align corporate strategies with long-term growth objectives, particularly in reducing emissions and improving operational efficiency. My expertise spans high-value procurement, stakeholder management, and maritime governance, making me a key contributor to advancing next-generation maritime solutions.

I am passionate about fostering innovation, improving service delivery, and driving transformational change in the maritime industry.

Shaji Janardhanan, A Naval Architect by profession, currently working as Chief General Manager- Water Transport with Kochi Metro Rail Ltd., heading the prestigious Water Metro Project in India.
Academically,
B.Tech. in Naval Architecture and Shipbuilding from CUSAT
M. Tech. in Marine Engineering – from CUSAT
MBA Technology Management from Chifley Business School, Australia
Executive Diploma in Project Management
Professionally,
Registered practitioner of PRINCE-II
Fellow of Institution of Naval Architects.
Member of Board of Studies of Dept of Ship Technology, CUSAT
Member of Faculty of Technology, CUSAT
Member of the committee constituted by the Ministry of Port, Shipping and Waterways for preparing the Water Metro Policy and Water Metro Scheme.
Possess vast experience in Shipbuilding, Repair, Marine and Oil and Gas sectors both India and abroad.
As a toastmaster
Toastmaster since 2007;
Distinguished Toastmaster – Twice (one each in Legacy system and in Pathways);
President’s Distinguished Area Director,
Outstanding toastmaster of the District 2021-22
Outstanding toastmaster of the District 2022-23
President’s Distinguished Division Director
District Chief Judge for speech competitions- 2021-22
Undertaken almost all club leadership positions
Member of Leadership Committee for D121- 2024-2025
Member of the realignment committee – 2025-26
Was member in 5 Toastmaster Districts- 20,79,92,105,121.

David Panayiotou is the Head of London River Services at Transport for London, where he leads the daily operations and strategic evolution of the city’s key passenger piers. Since joining in 2020, David has overseen the performance and safety of eight major piers on the river Thames, ensuring they remain an integrated part of London’s transport network. With a background that includes seven years as Head of Transport at The O2 Arena, the world’s busiest entertainment venue and five years Transport Planning at a global engineering consultancy, David brings a wealth of experience in operational planning and commercial growth to the marine environment.

Dr. Tzanidaki holds an LLB in Law, an MBA in Law and a PhD in community engagement models as a measure to ensure efficiency in the public health and social care sector. She is a PPP expert and has been involved in infrastructure advisory from lenders’, public and private sector perspective in the past 20 years in the UK and Greece. Her expertise spans across multiple sectors such as urban regeneration, social infrastructure, resource management and RES. Dr Tzanidaki leads EBRD’s Greek PPP Preparation Facility since 2021 currently supporting a portfolio of 13 PPPs of a total CAPEX of EUR 2,5 billion. She leads EBRD’s PPP Advisory in CSEE and Ukraine.

Mr Manlio Fusco is Incubation & Solution Manager for E-Mobility at Hitachi. His career spans more than 16 years across Operational Technology, SCADA, Smart Ticketing, MaaS, and digital mobility solutions. Leveraging experience from both operational transport systems and customer-facing mobility services, he works to bridge infrastructure, digital platforms, and business innovation. Today, he focuses on mobility orchestration and integrated transport ecosystems, helping cities and operators unlock new value through data-driven and sustainable mobility solutions.

With over 30 years of experience in the rail and metro rail industry, Mr Ramnavas brings strong academic credentials and extensive expertise in the planning, design, and construction of major rail, metro rail, and infrastructure projects. His experience includes special and large-scale structures such as long-span steel arch bridges and road-cum-rail bridges, as well as the implementation of modern water transport projects. He has a strong working knowledge of Indian Codes, British Standards, Eurocodes, and UIC Codes, and is recognised for his leadership, teamwork, communication skills, and proven track record in successful project delivery.

Mr Rens Doornbusch is co-founder and CPO of Roboat, where he has spent nearly seven years bringing autonomy to waterborne transport.