Stephen Lyman, Maritime Association of the Port of NY/NJ

Erwin Verstraelen, Innovation Port of Antwerp-Bruges

Doug Vogt, North Carolina Ports

Abstract

Bio:  Stephen Lyman, Port of New York and New Jersey

Stephen Lyman is the Executive Director of the Maritime Association of the Port of New York and New Jersey, President of MISNA, and Vice President of NAMO. With a career spanning operations, advocacy, and leadership across the maritime sector, he plays a key role in advancing one of the nation’s busiest port regions. He is also a voting member of the Hudson Canyon Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council, a member of the Harbor Safety Committee National Steering Team and holds advanced credentials in nonprofit management and maritime port operations.

Bio: Erwin Verstaelen, VP Innovation Port of Antwerp-Bruges

As Vice president innovation, Erwin and his team transform the port into an innovation hub where the market readiness of promising tech such as drones, smart camera’s, autonomous ships and digital twins has been field tested and implemented over the past 5 years. They are building blocks of the emerging smart port. Smart also means resilient in turbulent times, being able to absorb disruptions and emerge stronger.

He is also deeply involved in the Beacon, an ecosystem focusing on Internet of Things use cases, where startups, scaleups, academia and applied research come together. Erwin is also board member of several organizations and a well-respected keynote speaker.

What characterizes Erwin is a self-made quote: In life there are problems, challenges and opportunities. That’s actually three times the same thing, only the mindset is different.

Bio:  Doug Vogt,  North Carolina State Ports Authority

Doug Vogt was appointed Chief Operating Officer of the North Carolina State Ports Authority in November 2020.

In this role, Vogt leads operational strategy and execution across North Carolina’s port system, including the Port of Wilmington, Port of Morehead City, and the Charlotte Inland Port. He is responsible for directing and coordinating all terminal operations, overseeing information technology system implementation and enhancements, and managing the execution of the Ports Authority’s infrastructure investment initiatives. His leadership focuses on driving operational excellence, efficiency, and long-term growth across the state’s maritime gateways.

Vogt brings more than 25 years of experience in the maritime and logistics industry, having held senior leadership roles in port operations across multiple U.S. locations. Prior to joining North Carolina Ports, he served as Vice President of Operations, Maintenance, and Equipment for Tropical Shipping in Riviera Beach, Florida. Earlier in his career, he held positions with NYK Line in Atlanta, Georgia; APM Terminals in Long Beach, California; and Maersk Container Service Corporation in Charlotte, North Carolina.

He earned a bachelor’s degree from the United States Merchant Marine Academy and an MBA from the University of Scranton, with specializations in Operations Management and Human Resource Management.

Vogt resides in Wilmington, North Carolina, with his wife, Julia, and their two daughters, Ruby and Charlotte.