Vessel Operator Forum
Join the next VOF in Trondheim, hosted by SINTEF Ocean AS on November 25 & November 26, 2026.
Welcome to the VOF
The Vessel Operators Forum (VOF) is a platform for ship owners, operators, designers, yards, suppliers, R&D-institutes and regulatory agencies and class societies to exchange experience on operational aspects of ships and to discuss the common need for new technology for future ship operations.
Our Story
It started in 2007 in Goteborg and in recent years we gathered in:
Dec 2022, Wartsila NL
June 2023 MAN (nu Everllence)
Dec 2023 Korea register
April 2024 Blueweek Venice
Dec 2024 MARIN
April 2025 Blueweek Wageningen
Dec 2025 SSSRI
April 2026 Blueweek Marseille
Nov 2026 SINTEF
VOF Chair
Henk van den Boom, department manager Trials & Monitoring established the VOF in 2007. After his retirement, his legacy was continued by Patrick Hooijmans, Team leader of the Transport and Shipping team in the Ships department. From April 2026, Christian Veldhuis, takes over the chair. Christian is department manager of the Performance at Sea department (former Trials & Monitoring).
The VOF continues its valuable research into better ships from both a safety and economic point of view, looking at both technical and human operator challenges and solutions.
Our Mission & Vision
Mission: To support vessel operators with adequate R&D and maritime technology development in a joint effort with all stakeholders.
Vision: The VOF will be a platform for ideas where technical issues can be identified, commonality gauged, and JIPs initiated where independently supported. Proposed JIPs can be presented to the right people across all involved organisations at one time.
Our Strategy
Focus on performance, structural and energy saving issues. Meet regularly and move the venue around the world to share the burden of travel. Present on topical issues, mix with information sharing and field trips to local areas of technical interest. Invite organisations proposing JIPs to speak. Include the right organisations, designers, owners, fabricators, regulatory agencies, operators, and class societies. Maintain liaison with related technical organisations.
