Mads Bentzen Billesø is Head of Innovation and Partnerships in DFDS with a strong focus on sustainability, strategy, concept and partnership development and management of a number of innovation, automation/autonomy and sustainability projects within shipping and logistics. He is building partnerships, Open Innovation spaces and projects with industry partners and start-ups, universities, research and Authorities and form strategy, develop concepts and transform business. He holds a Masters license and has a maritime background on container vessels and product tankers in worldwide trade. After ending his career at sea in 2005, he worked in the National Coordination at Danish Maritime Safety Administration (DaMSA) responsible for Maritime Safety Information and vessel management. From 2009-2017 he was Project Manager in Danish Maritime Authority (Government), involved in a number of national and international projects dealing with maritime technology, digitalization and standardization. In the same period he was part of Denmark’s representation at IMO, as well as in IALA Committees and Expert member in IHO Working Groups.