The Last Dinosaur - Maritime Shipping In the Digital Age

Episode 129: Decarbonization That Actually Works; Founder Lessons with Gordana Ilic, PhD of BetterSea

Guest: Gordana Ilic, PhD [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gordanailicphd/] — Co-Founder & Co-CEO, BetterSea [https://www.bettersea.tech/] and host of The Wavemakers Podcast [https://open.spotify.com/show/6ZAgFzqiGONWAc3WTjPAB3] Episode Overview: Gordana Ilic didn't come up through shipping. Gordana's path was through sustainability, entrepreneurship, corporate innovation, then into Maersk's decarbonization work before returning to entrepreneurship. In this episode, we go beyond regulation talk and into what's really happening in the market: how FuelEU is being received, why smaller owners moved faster than some of the giants, what pooling is changing culturally and commercially, and what founders learn the hard way about building in an industry that's still adjusting to transparency. Key Points: 1. From sustainability to shipping, by way of innovation: Gordana's path from chemistry/PhD work to startup ecosystems, corporate innovation, and finally maritime decarbonization. 2. Why she left Maersk to build again: Entrepreneurship as "nature," not just opportunity and why ignoring that pull started affecting her health. 3. BetterSea's pivot: broad vision → sharp wedge: Starting with a wider decarbonization decision framework, then focusing on FuelEU to match market readiness and urgency. 4. FuelEU early reactions were… real: From "EU ETS won't happen" to skepticism in Singapore and the long road of educating the market before urgency hit. 5. Surprise: smaller owners moved first: Faster decision cycles, direct access to leadership, and a willingness to act once risk/opportunity became clear (including strong early traction with Greek owners). 6. The IMO pause shockwave: A market freeze, regrouping, and then clarity: regional regulations are the near-term reality and FuelEU isn't going away. 7. Pooling is working but it forces transparency: Deals, due diligence, KYC, and the reality that shipping companies aren't always used to hearing "no" from their counterparties, now other shipping companies. 8. Efficiency isn't one silver bullet: Alternative fuels are straightforward in concept, but the bigger differentiator is execution speed, alignment, and how companies think portfolio-style over time. 9. Founder advice that matters: Trust your gut, challenge norms politely, ask "why not," and reach out to people early (LinkedIn is a cheat code when used well). 10. Podcasting as a leadership tool: Why Gordana launched The Wavemakers Podcast, what she's learned from conversations, and why creative projects often become personal "guide rails." Learn More: Check out Gordana's podcast The Wavemakers Podcast on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@BetterSea/podcasts] and other streaming channels. Related listening: Episode 105: Decarbonization & FuelEU Reality with Friederike Hesse of zero44. This is a strong companion on compliance mechanics, pooling, and commercial decision-making. [https://open.spotify.com/episode/7FYyltOFfyqYGzVA1ck1Gt?si=JEOGhZ4cTkKaf-Tj2b-FGw] Tune in Now: Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more! Watch the episode on YouTube. Music by: Peg and The Rejected "King of SKA" Art Work By: GA Design Produced by: Chris Aversano [https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-aversano/] Support Our Podcast: If you found value in this episode, please rate us 5-stars and follow. Subscribe to the newsletter for updates — and if you're interested in advertising, reach out to my friends at Digital Ship [https://thedigitalship.com/].

Episode 128: Bridge to Boardroom: Class Society Reality, Tech Adoption, and the Ship–Shore Gap

Guest: Capt. Ankur Arora [https://www.linkedin.com/in/capt-ankur-arora/], Global Market Leader, Commercial at Bureau Veritas Group [http://www.bureauveritas.com/] Episode Overview: Capt. Ankur Arora has lived shipping from all sides. Years at sea, senior roles with shipowners, and now inside a leading class society. In this episode, he breaks down what changes when innovation stops being a slide deck and starts living onboard: design choices that affect daily work, the role of modeling and verification, how connectivity reshapes crew life, and why talent pipelines depend on telling the real story of seafaring. Key Points: 1. Why he chose sea life (and what he learned fast): Early responsibility, rapid growth, and leadership lessons that carry forward well beyond the bridge. 2. The reality of going shoreside: Transitioning ashore means starting over; steep learning curves, intense competition, and rebuilding credibility. 3. Owner vs. class: different seat, same objective: Safe, compliant ships that stay on-hire and keep earning. 4. Design decisions matter more than most admit: Seafarer input during design is limited, yet small operational details can drive safety and efficiency. 5. Innovation vs. adoption: The tech landscape is crowded. Key to success is validation and operational fit matter more than trends. 6. Connectivity as an enabler, not a threat: Normal life at sea now includes connectivity; culture and leadership determine whether it helps or harms. 7. Vetting and inspections strengthened by digital tools: Technology improves preparation, risk visibility, and robustness all without cutting corners. Related listening: Episode 89: Seafarers, Decarbonization, and Diversity at Sea with Ralph Juhl, EVP, Technical at Hafnia. [https://open.spotify.com/episode/1lrLU8i2FHP7PoYsn8vIX8?si=M5YNe7xbQqOYnCQGCX78ZA] This is a complementary owner-operator perspective on crew engagement and decarbonization in practice. Tune in Now: Available on Spotif [https://open.spotify.com/show/4rZkO7DaKWphvbXmvO2TSg]y, Apple Podcasts, [https://open.spotify.com/show/4rZkO7DaKWphvbXmvO2TSg] and YouTube. [https://www.youtube.com/@thelastdinosaurpodcast] Music by: Peg and The Rejected "King of SKA" Art Work By: GA Design Produced by: Chris Aversano [https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-aversano/] Support Our Podcast: Please rate the show 5-stars, follow, and subscribe to the newsletter. Interested in advertising? Reach out to my friends at Digital Ship [https://thedigitalship.com/]

Episode 127 — Starting 2026 with the Right Mindset with Akanksha Batura Pai PD

Guest: Akanksha Batura Pai [https://www.linkedin.com/in/akankshabatura/], PD Executive Director, Sinoda [http://www.sinoda.com.sg/] Shipping Agency Pte Ltd | IMO Goodwill Maritime Ambassador (Emerita) | #1 Top 100 Women in Shipping Episode Overview: We kick off 2026 with a grounded, practical conversation with Akanksha Batura Pai PD, one of my favorite interviews to date. We talk about what digital transformation actually looks like inside a ship agency, why incremental change beats big-bang initiatives, how mindset drives successful adoption, and why clean data still matters more than AI hype. This episode is part of our ongoing partnership with The Captain's Table Challenge [https://www.captainstable.hk/] and for the second year in a row, The Last Dinosaur is the official podcast of the Challenge. Key Points: * Ship agency is a services business with thin margins and constant pressure to improve * Digitalization only works when it reflects real operational workflows * Incremental change is more effective than sweeping transformations * A failed digital rollout became a success once redesigned around how people actually work * "Fall in love with the problem, not the solution" as a leadership mindset * AI can reduce friction; but only if the underlying data is clean and reliable * Retaining talent requires job redesign, flexibility, and modern leadership Related Listening: Episode 126: Maritime Digitalization Year in Review 2025 with Evan Efstathiou Tune in Now: Available on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4rZkO7DaKWphvbXmvO2TSg], Apple Podcasts [https://open.spotify.com/show/4rZkO7DaKWphvbXmvO2TSg], and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@thelastdinosaurpodcast] Music by: Peg and The Rejected – King of SKA Artwork by: GA Design Produced by: Chris Aversano [https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-aversano/] Support the Podcast: If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate us 5 stars, and share it. Interested in sponsorship or advertising? Opportunities are available through our partnership with Digital Ship. [https://thedigitalship.com/]

Episode 126: Maritime Digitalization Year in Review 2025 with Evan Efstathiou

Guest: Evan Efstathiou [https://www.linkedin.com/in/eefstathiou/], CEO of Burmester & Voge [http://www.burmester-vogel.com]l and Founder of SkySail Advisors [http://www.skysailadvisors.com] Episode Overview: For the fourth year in a row, Evan joins The Last Dinosaur to unpack the big storylines in maritime tech. From AI hype vs. reality and sector consolidation, to decarbonization, hardware innovation, and the next wave of corporate venture investing, this episode is your annual "state of the union" for digital shipping. Chris and Evan revisit last year's predictions, look at what played out in 2025, and lay out what to watch closely in 2026. Key Points: 1. AI Moves From Hype to "Show Me the Money": AI has shifted from novelty add-on to table stakes. Vendors can't just say "AI" anymore—customers want real productivity gains and measurable ROI, not marketing gimmicks. 2. Roll-Ups, Acqui-Hires, and the Looming "Big Five" Question: 2025 saw continued M&A among larger players and classic roll-ups plus AI acqui-hires. Evan talks about Kpler, Marcura, Sedna and others—and what it might look like if some of the "big five" platform players eventually combine. 3. Decarbonization Tech Is Here to Stay (Even If Policy Pauses): Despite IMO's slower tempo, tools for ETS, FuelEU and emissions accounting are now baked into contracts and day-to-day operations. Tech and digital remain the "low-hanging fruit" for compliance, risk reduction, and cost savings. 4. VC & Corporate Venture Capital Double Down on Maritime: Dedicated maritime funds and shipowner-backed CVC arms are becoming core capital sources for seed and early-stage innovation, especially where AI, optimization and decarb intersect. 5. Hardware + Software Stacks Gain Momentum: From robotic hull cleaning to onboard sensor platforms and wind-assisted propulsion, Evan highlights how digital twins and AI-enhanced analytics are making hardware projects more bankable and easier to scale across fleets. 6. The Future of Work: Smaller Teams, Bigger Tools: Claims departments, chartering desks, and brokers aren't going away—but their toolkits are changing. The real future is smaller, highly experienced teams amplified by AI, not full automation replacing human judgment and relationships. 7. 2026: The Year of the AI Shakeout: With spending at "epic levels" for AI - boards, investors, and customers will all be asking the same thing: did it pay off? Evan predicts 2026 will be a defining year where resilient, commercially viable AI products pull ahead and weaker offerings fall away. Learn More: If you enjoy this episode, go back to our earlier Year in Review with Evan: * Episode 94 – "Maritime Digitalization Year in Review 2024 with Evan Efstathiou" Tune in Now: Available on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4rZkO7DaKWphvbXmvO2TSg], Apple Podcasts [https://open.spotify.com/show/4rZkO7DaKWphvbXmvO2TSg], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@thelastdinosaurpodcast], and all major platforms. Music by: Peg and The Rejected – "King of SKA" Artwork by: GA Design Produced by: Chris Aversano Support Our Podcast: If you've found value in this episode, please: * Follow the show and rate us ★★★★★ * Share the episode with a colleague or friend * Support via Buy Me a Coffee [https://buymeacoffee.com/thelastdinopod] if you'd like to help keep the pod going 💼 Advertising: If you would like to advertise with us, please contact Digital Ship [https://thedigitalship.com/]. [https://thedigitalship.com/]

Episode 125: Leveling the Playing Field in Global Trade with Carmit Glik of Ship4wd

Episode 125: Leveling the Playing Field in Global Trade with Carmit Glik of Ship4wd Guest: Carmit Glik, [https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmitglik/] CEO, Ship4wd [https://ship4wd.com] Episode Overview: Global trade isn't just mega-shippers and Fortune 500s. It's thousands of small and mid-sized businesses trying to move a single container without getting crushed by complexity. In this episode, Carmit Glik, CEO of Ship4wd, explains how her team is building a digital-first freight solution that combines technology and human support to give underdogs a fair shot in international logistics. Key Points: 1. Why SMBs Are the Real Backbone of Trade How small and mid-sized businesses make up the majority of economic activity—and why they're often ignored by traditional logistics providers. 2. Trust After Turbulence What COVID, the Red Sea disruptions, and shifting tariffs have done to SMB confidence—and why "too good to be true" is the default reaction to new services. 3. Digital-First, Human-Backed How Ship4wd blends self-service booking, tariff calculators, and shipment tracking with real people on call when things go sideways. 4. Knowledge as an Antidote to Chaos Why transparency on duties, tariffs, and total landed costs is now non-negotiable for business owners making tight-margin decisions. 5. From VC to Founder: Lessons for Maritime/Logistics Startups Carmit's path from maritime VC to operator, what's changed in the startup ecosystem since 2018, and her advice for founders who want to solve real problems in freight. Sponsored by Accelleron This episode is brought to you by Accelleron [https://accelleron.com/] and the LOREKA360° Emissions Desk—one partner, one process, and complete confidence in your compliance. Learn more at accelleron.com/emissions-desk. If you'd like to discuss sponsoring The Last Dinosaur, please get in touch with Digital Ship. [https://thedigitalship.com/] Tune in Now: Listen to Episode 125 on Spotify, [https://open.spotify.com/show/4rZkO7DaKWphvbXmvO2TSg] Apple Podcasts, [https://open.spotify.com/show/4rZkO7DaKWphvbXmvO2TSg] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@thelastdinosaurpodcast] or your favorite podcast platform.