PEMA Autumn Meeting 2026 – Ravenna, Italy
PEMA Autumn Meeting in Italy Delivers Industry Insights, Technical Innovation and Exceptional Expert Perspectives
The Port Equipment Manufacturers Association (PEMA) brought together more than 130 members from around the world for its Autumn Meeting 2026, held on 6–7 October at the MarePineta Resort in Milano Marittima, Ravenna, Italy.
The event featured conference sessions, technical workshops, networking opportunities and a visit to the Port of Ravenna, one of Italy’s key multipurpose ports. Delegates learned about the scale and efficiency of its container and dry bulk operations, including its annual handling of 28 million tonnes of goods and bulk materials, and its importance to the surrounding industrial region.
PEMA’s Technical Committee workshops on the Tuesday afternoon were again a firm highlight for members who enjoy the discussion and inward workings of companies and their specialities, from various delegate experiences, perceptions and opinions. This afternoon featured interactive activities, expert insights and group discussion which highlighted technical innovation, and encouraged collaborative conversation across the personnel within the port equipment sector who were in attendance at the meeting.
International speakers from CMA Terminals Holding, Siemens, ICHCA International, the Royal Institute of Technology Sweden, Duisport and Bunge shared their expertise on end-user experiences including cybersecurity, safety, automation, technology, global logistics and commodity flows. See more about the speakers below. Members can also see the presentation decks displayed at the meeting again in the member resource area with their logins.
PEMA President Achim Dries said: “Our Autumn Meeting is a valuable opportunity to bring the international PEMA community together to exchange expertise, strengthen industry connections and explore the technologies, challenges and opportunities shaping our sector. “
“What a truly great location for this year’s meeting. Following a very interesting tour of Ravenna port, I am particularly delighted to welcome the Mayor of Ravenna City, Alessandro Barattoni.”
Mayor of Ravenna, Alessandro Barattoni in his Welcome Address, said: “The Port of Ravenna is a unique case in Italy: the areas behind its quays are privately owned. This model allows investors to keep developing sectors that are vital to Italian industry, and three clear examples show how well it works: the petrochemical district, the FSRU and the port’s focus on dry bulk.
The port is working to make the region as energy-independent as possible. The FSRU (Floating Storage and Regasification Unit) is central to this: gas is still essential for the area, and the FSRU lets Ravenna diversify its supply beyond traditional pipeline routes. All of this goes hand in hand with a strong commitment to sustainability and the environment, and it is made possible by the port’s distinctive private organisation.
Looking ahead, PEMA announced its 2027 meeting destinations: the Annual General Meeting in Dortmund, Germany, in March, followed by the Autumn Meeting in Kerala, India, in October. For members, register for both events:
✦ AGM 2027 – Dortmund, Germany – March 9 – 10 → Register now
✦ Autumn Meeting 2027 – Kerela, India – October 5 – 6 → Register now
PEMA thanks all members, speakers, and sponsors who contributed to the success of the 2026 Autumn Meeting and looks forward to welcoming members to Germany in 2027.
Guest Speakers & Delegates in Attendance
List of Delegates in Attendance
To view the full delegate attendance list, click here.
Thank You to Our Speakers
Christian Schroeder is currently Chief Product Owner (CPO) at Siemens AG, where he leads the development of SINEC Security Guard—Siemens’ SaaS-based industrial cybersecurity solution focused on automated vulnerability management for operational technology environments.
In this role, he drives the product vision, oversees the end‑to‑end R&D strategy, and ensures that SINEC Security Guard advances Siemens’ broader mission to strengthen cybersecurity on the shop floor. Over more than 15 years at Siemens, Christian has held key roles across product management, engineering, and digital transformation. His earlier work as Senior Product Manager included driving innovation in software licensing platforms, cloud‑based industrial offerings, and scalable digital business models across Siemens’ industrial portfolio.
Prior to that, as a Systems Engineer, he focused on designing and integrating complex automation systems, gaining deep domain expertise in OT environments and customer operations—expertise that now informs his cybersecurity leadership.
As CEO of ICHCA International, Richard Steele is dedicated to improving the safety, productivity, sustainability, and efficiency of cargo handling and movement worldwide. Richard is a safety and skills professional with a Master’s in Training and Development who has been involved in the ports industry for over 20 years. Prior to his role at ICHCA International, Richard was the CEO at Port Skills and Safety for 11 years, leading out on the development of safety guidance and standards by producing qualification frameworks and sharing best practices for the industry.
ICHCA’s privileged NGO status enables it to represent its members, and the cargo handling industry at large, in front of national and international agencies and regulatory bodies, while its Technical Panel provides best practice advice and develops publications on a wide range of practical cargo handling issues.
He then joined CMA CGM in 2008 as a port equipment engineer and held several positions in Terminal Link and CMA Terminals including Technical Director at Malta Freeport Terminal. Grégoire has served as the equipment technical director for CMA Terminal Holding and CMA CGM Inland Services since 2019, in charge of equipment and maintenance for operating terminals and depots as well as new projects.
His research interests are broadly in the area of mobile systems & networks, industrial automation, and AI. Prior to joining KTH, he was an assistant professor and head of the Mobile Network Performance Group at RWTH Aachen University from 2008–2012, as well as a member of the DFG-funded UMIC research centre at RWTH. James has published over 200 papers in international journals and conferences, and has been awarded over 20 Mio. USD in research grants. His work has been awarded many times, among them the best paper awards at ACM MSWiM 2015, the best paper award at IEEE WoWMoM 2009 and the best paper award at European Wireless 2009. Beyond his academic work, James was founder, CTO, and board member of R3 Communications GmbH, a start-up in the area of wireless industrial communication systems. He currently works with Paul Vahle GmbH & Co. KG as technical advisor and council.
Leveraging nearly 20 years of experience in agribusiness and commodity trading, Saverio Panico oversees Bunge’s business activities in Italy, from sourcing to merchandising and distribution of key agricultural products and commodities, connecting farmers to consumers. His extensive experience in international trade, logistics and market dynamics provides a practical perspective on the opportunities and challenges shaping global commodity flows.
Thank You to the Meeting Sponsors
PEMA 2026 Autumn Meeting Ravenna with thanks to its sponsorship partners and contributors:
MAC Port www.macport.it
Founded in Ravenna by Giordano Bilotti, Mac Port has grown from a family vision into one of Italy’s most trusted names in port and industrial machinery. Now in its third generation, the company has operated as an official Liebherr agent in Italy since 2009, offering sales, service, and repair of harbor cranes, offshore equipment, earthmoving machines, and material handling solutions. What has never changed across three generations is the philosophy Giordano built the company on: treat every client as a partner, not a transaction. At Mac Port, relationships come before contracts — and that family commitment is still felt in everything we do.
Tratos Cavi SpA www.tratosgroup.com
Founded in 1966, Tratos is a family-owned international cable manufacturer specialising in the complete production of high-performance cables for the energy, telecommunications and industrial sectors. With seven manufacturing facilities across Europe and a presence in 56 countries, the company has built a global reputation for innovation and quality. Tratos is a recognised leader in dynamic cable technology through its TRATOSFLEX® range, engineered for demanding moving applications including ports, container terminals, mining and tunnelling. Designed for continuous reeling, TRATOSFLEX® cables deliver exceptional flexibility, durability and reliability, supporting major infrastructure projects around the world.
Dellner Bubenzer www.dellnerbubenzer.com
VAHLE www.vahle.com
Founded in 1912, VAHLE is a global leader in intelligent mobile energy and data transmission solutions for material handling and industrial applications. Headquartered in Kamen, Germany, the company employs around 1,000 people and operates through 13 subsidiaries and representatives in 52 countries worldwide. VAHLE delivers complete electrification solutions for port cranes, including STS and RTG systems, utilizing technologies such as conductor rails, cable reels, festoon and trench systems, and advanced data communication. By integrating electrification, automation, and intelligent power management, VAHLE enables terminal operators to enhance efficiency, reliability, safety, and sustainability while supporting the transition to zero-emission port operations.