HANSA.newscast by Janne Silden

Most people think they understand fuel. Rob Mortimer says they don’t. In this episode, I speak with Rob Mortimer about how reforming the molecular structure of fossil fuels can significantly improve combustion efficiency, reduce emissions, and unlock the actual power engines are capable of. With Fuelre4m’s additive Re4mx, energy conversion can increase from 75% to up to 93%—without changing the fuel itself. Rob shares how his background in telecoms gave him a precision mindset, and why Dubai turned out to be the right place for fuel innovation powered by AI, data, and carbon verification. We cover: – Why “rated engine power” is a misleading industry metric – The chemistry and logic behind fuel reforming – How misconceptions about torque meters distort power data– What makes a fuel innovation verifiable, scalable, and strategic – The future of emissions monitoring, carbon markets, and onboard diagnostics A sharp, clear conversation on technology, combustion, and the hidden dimension of maritime performance. 🔗 Subscribe for more maritime insights: hansa.news

In this episode, you meet Fabian Fussek, CEO and co-founder of Kaiko Systems, a Berlin-based company using AI and structured frontline data to reduce noise, standardize inspections, and bring clarity to ship operations. We talk about: * The original idea behind Kaiko Systems and what problem it set out to solve * How their AI “Kai” analyzes millions of photos and inputs across over 1,000 vessels * Why regulatory changes like SIRE 2.0 require better data, not more pressure * * What smart shipping still gets wrong—and what’s next with RISQ and RightShip * Where Kaiko Systems deliberately won’t go with its recent €6 million funding

How do you turn a ship inspection into a powerful decision-making tool? In this episode, I speak with Frank Andersen, Head of Transaction Services at Idwal, about how their standardized inspection system has become a benchmark for condition-based decision-making in the global shipping market. Frank explains: * How Idwal’s grading system transforms physical inspections into data-driven asset evaluations * Why consistency, comparability, and standardization are now critical in sale & purchase markets * The rising importance of “management grades” and crew welfare in long-term asset value * How geopolitical uncertainty impacts transaction activity — and how shipping adapts * Why financiers, insurers, and shipowners rely on third-party inspections to de-risk operations and investment With 12,000+ unique vessels inspected and a rapidly growing data set, Idwal is shaping how quality is defined, measured, and priced in shipping. Whether you're in technical management, finance, or maritime tech — this is an episode that maps the operational edge of modern shipping intelligence.

Wind propulsion is no longer a concept—it's being deployed at scale. Ville Paakkari, Head of R&D at Norsepower, joins HANSA.Newscast to talk about the real-world performance of rotor sails, the role of regulation, and why we're entering the biggest transition in maritime since the diesel engine. ▶ How much fuel is being saved now? ▶ What’s next—20%, 40%, even dominant wind power? ▶ How is regulation shaping real innovation? A grounded yet forward-looking conversation on the engineering, economics, and momentum behind wind-assisted shipping.

In this episode, Audra Drabløs, Strategy Director for Maritime Growth Markets at Inmarsat, joins HANSA.newscast to discuss how modern connectivity is transforming the maritime industry—from isolated operations to integrated, data-driven environments. We explore: – Why vessels are now expected to function as digital offices – How connectivity supports real-time planning, crew welfare, and operational resilience – The role of embedded cybersecurity in Inmarsat’s NexusWave – Why AI and cloud systems are underutilized assets at sea – How remote operations may reshape maritime careers and open new pathways for diversity