The CEOs of Naval Group, GTT and Louis Dreyfus Armateurs to take part in a unique conference

13 May 2025 – École nationale des ponts et chaussées

On 13 May 2025, Deep Blue hosted a special event at the École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées, bringing together three leading figures from the French maritime sector and an audience of students, researchers and professionals. Organised jointly by d.school Paris, the magazine Marine & Océans and the Deep Blue Foundation, this conference brought together for the first time:
– Pierre Éric Pommellet, President and Chief Executive Officer of Naval Group–
Philippe Berterottière, President and Chief Executive Officer of
GTT– Édouard Louis-Dreyfus, President of Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA)

Seated round the table, these three leading figures from the maritime industry discussed the major changes taking place in their sector – from sovereignty issues to the energy transition – whilst engaging directly with the students present.

A packed hall for a rare and candid discussion

The event brought together 145 people in person at the École des Ponts and more than 400 online, highlighting the growing interest in maritime issues within the academic community. This innovative format facilitated a dialogue that was both strategic and accessible between business leaders at the forefront of industrial transformation and the younger generations set to take over from them.

Francis Vallat: the catalyst for the meeting

The discussion was brilliantly moderated byFrancis Vallat – a member of theAcadémie de marine, founder of Cluster Maritime Français, and a recognised figure in the cause of ocean conservation. His experience, commitment and ability to bring together key players in the sector helped to give this conference an exceptional dimension. We would like to extend our warmest thanks to him for bringing these three leaders together for a sincere and constructive dialogue with young people.

“Seeing these young people debate with such conviction was truly impressive,” says Élodie, Panama’s delegate. “They managed to combine diplomatic rigour with creativity to put forward concrete proposals.”

A strategic debate on contemporary maritime issues

The discussions covered a number of key topics:
– the energy transition in the shipbuilding sector, including its technical challenges and ongoing innovations;
– France’s industrial and maritime sovereignty, against a backdrop of shifting international balances;
– the role of engineers and future decision-makers at the heart of the sector’s transformation.

The speakers also highlighted the pivotal role that educated, committed and connected young people can play in a sector undergoing rapid change and offering prospects for a sustainable future.

The maritime sector: a career with a future

All the speakers called on young people to get involved in the maritime sector, to discover its many opportunities and to build their future within it. From defence to research, from freight to hydrogen, the sea offers a wealth of opportunities for work, innovation and responsibility.

A series organised by Deep Blue and the magazine Marine & Océans

This conference forms part of a series of strategic discussions organised by Deep Blue and the magazine Marine & Océans, with the aim of putting the sea back at the heart of educational and industrial priorities. Through these meetings, the aim is to train a new generation of decision-makers who are aware of ocean-related issues and capable of working towards sovereign and sustainable development.