Capt. Walter Purio

As Global Chief Executive Officer of ESCC and uODS Marine and Power, I lead efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of traditional fossil fuels, driving a practical global energy transition. Our uODS (Ultrasonic Oxidative Desulfurisation) technology removes sulfur from Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO), reducing harmful emissions and providing environmental benefits to the marine and power industries.

I have spent my career across the maritime, energy, and technology sectors, holding senior leadership positions with a focus on sustainability and maritime innovation.

I’ve served as a Director of the Pilbara Ports Authority, contributing marine industry expertise for the economic benefit of Western Australia and the nation. I am also the Managing Director of P and H Marine Australasia Pty Ltd, where I assist oil and gas companies, financial institutions, and shipping organizations in reducing greenhouse gas and noxious emissions while advancing clean energy solutions for the global shipping industry.

I was Chairman of Rise-X Pty Ltd until September 2023, a leader in blockchain and digital management systems for multiparty workflows. Additionally, I served as a Non-Executive Director of CleanSubSea Ltd, supporting the United Nations' IMO GLOFOUL initiative with sustainable in-water hull cleaning solutions.

I’m proud to have chaired the Leeuwin Ocean Adventures Foundation Board of Governors, a non-profit offering personal development and leadership opportunities for Western Australian youth aboard the sail training vessel Leeuwin. As Founder and inaugural CEO of LNG Marine Fuel Institute and Former APAC VP of the Society for Gas as a Marine Fuel (SGMF), I’ve worked to promote safety and best practices in the use of gas as marine fuel.

I hold a Master Oceans – Unlimited Tonnage license and a BSc from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, along with MBAs from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and Katholieke Universiteit in Leuven, Belgium. I am a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and a proud member of the New York Yacht Club and the Army and Navy Club of Washington D.C.

Outside of work, I enjoy writing, historical non-fiction, walking, and sailing. Together with my wife, Fern Elisabeth Purio (née Bailey), I am blessed with six children and ten grandchildren across Australia and the U.S.

Session Overview

Monday, 4 November

15:00

Maritime & Logistics Innovation Sessions Maritime & Logistics Theatre 15:00 - 15:30

Advancing onboard carbon capture for sustainable maritime operations

Advancing onboard carbon capture systems (OCCS) could enhance operational efficiency and profitability. With regulatory bodies, including the EU Emissions Trading System and the International Maritime Organisation, shaping policies, how can maritime operators capitalise on economic incentives and business models that promote OCCS adoption and foster sustainable maritime operations?

Attendee insights:

Gain comprehensive insights into the technological, economic, and regulatory dimensions of implementing onboard carbon capture, and the complexities of this promising decarbonisation technology in the maritime industry.

Wednesday, 6 November

14:00

Maritime & Logistics Conference Conference Room A 14:00 - 15:00

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Defining the value chain of future low carbon marine fuels

Despite ambitious net-zero targets set by the maritime industry, only a limited supply of alternative marine fuels is readily available on the market, whilst over 95% of projects for producing these fuels have not passed the final investment decision (FID) phase. It is projected it will take at least six years to reach FID and move to production. Which means, unless a significant number of projects materialise soon, the majority of the global shipping fleet will continue to run on heavy-emitting fuels beyond 2030. Configuring the decarbonised maritime fuel value chain of the future is a costly affair, requiring shipowners, fuel producers, governments, and financial institutions to forge innovative collaborations and develop new business models to release the bottlenecks slowing the journey to net-zero emissions by 2050.

Attendee insights:

Delve into the complexities of creating a low carbon maritime fuel value chain, as well as the collaborative strategies required to overcome cost and infrastructure challenges.