Episode 110: Rebuilding Shipbuilding – Remote Work, Training & the Future of U.S. Yards with TotalTek Jason Lloyd
The Last Dinosaur - Maritime Shipping In The Digital Age
Release Date: 06/17/2025
Episode 113: Extending Ship Life & Decarbonization with Tom Lister, CEO of Global Ship Lease
The Last Dinosaur - Maritime Shipping In The Digital Age
🎙️ The Last Dinosaur – Episode 113 Extending Ship Life, Decarbonization & Data with Tom Lister of Global Ship Lease Guest: , CEO, Episode Overview: Under Tom’s leadership, Global Ship Lease has grown into one of the world’s largest container tonnage providers while navigating the shifting seas of decarbonization, digitalization, and geopolitical disruption. In this episode, Tom explains how GSL extends the operational life of ships, collaborates with major charterers like Maersk, and leverages data and IoT to drive efficiency while keeping seafarer welfare at the core. Key...
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Episode 112: Balancing Tradition & Innovation – Kenji Togasaki of IINO Lines
The Last Dinosaur - Maritime Shipping In The Digital Age
Embracing Innovation While Honoring Tradition: Kenji Togasaki of IINO Lines Guest: , Senior Vice President at Episode Overview: Chris speaks with Kenji Togasaki about how IINO Lines—a storied, publicly traded Japanese shipping company—balances operational excellence with forward-looking innovation. They explore IINO’s venture investments, focus on digitalization, decarbonization, and the promise of autonomous shipping while navigating the realities of a legacy shipping environment. Key Points: Kenji’s Maritime Journey: From chemical tanker chartering across Asia and the US to...
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🎙️ Episode 111: Cyber Threats on the High Seas, a Conversation with Dr. Gary Kessler
The Last Dinosaur - Maritime Shipping In The Digital Age
🎙️ Episode 111: Cyber Threats on the High Seas, a Conversation with Dr. Gary Kessler Guest: r, Co-Founder, at Episode Overview: Cybersecurity is often underestimated in maritime—but Dr. Gary Kessler is on a mission to change that. A pioneer in digital forensics and co-founder of the new Maritime Hacking Village at DEF CON, Gary joins us to break down the risks, realities, and next steps for a sector still catching up to the cyber age. From AIS spoofing to autonomous vessel vulnerabilities, this episode covers the full threat landscape—and what we can do about it. Key Points: ...
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Episode 110: Rebuilding Shipbuilding – Remote Work, Training & the Future of U.S. Yards with TotalTek Jason Lloyd
The Last Dinosaur - Maritime Shipping In The Digital Age
Episode 110: Rebuilding Shipbuilding – Remote Work, Training & the Future of U.S. Yards Guest: Senior Executive at Episode Overview: Jason Lloyd brings over three decades of leadership experience, forged in the U.S. Navy’s nuclear power program, to the conversation on reviving America’s shipbuilding capabilities. In this episode, he explores how TotalTek is pioneering remote workforce models in ship design and engineering, tackling the shipyard talent gap, and creating pathways for the next generation of maritime professionals. From welding lessons of WWII to the promise of...
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Episode 109: Mental Health at Sea – A Real Talk with Pam Kern
The Last Dinosaur - Maritime Shipping In The Digital Age
Episode 109: Mental Health at Sea – A Real Talk with Pam Kern Guest: , MSLCSW, Director of Maritime Mental Health Services, Episode Overview: In this powerful episode, sits down with Pam Kern, a former cruise ship officer turned licensed clinical social worker, to explore the often unspoken realities of mental health at sea. Pam brings deep insight from both her 18 years aboard cruise ships and her current role supporting seafarers through Port Medical Management. From the psychological toll of constant connectivity to the role of leadership in shaping onboard culture, this episode dives...
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Episode 108: Wireless Safety and Real-Time Crew Monitoring with Sven Brooks of ScanReach
The Last Dinosaur - Maritime Shipping In The Digital Age
Episode 108: Wireless Safety and Real-Time Crew Monitoring with Sven Brooks of ScanReach Guest: , CEO of Episode Overview: Sven Brooks of ScanReach joins The Last Dinosaur to discuss how wireless mesh networks and wearables are transforming safety and connectivity at sea. From tracking crew locations in real time to enabling fast emergency response and even helping address harassment, this episode explores how digital innovation can empower seafarers, not burden them. Key Points: Purpose-Built Mesh Network: ScanReach has developed a wireless system made specifically for steel ship...
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Episode 107: Driving Innovation at Sea – A Conversation with Garry Noonan of Ardmore Shipping
The Last Dinosaur - Maritime Shipping In The Digital Age
Episode 107: Driving Innovation at Sea – A Conversation with Garry Noonan of Ardmore Shipping Guest: Director of Innovation, Episode Overview: In this episode, Garry Noonan of Ardmore Shipping shares how a legacy tanker company can still lead in digital innovation. From practical applications of onboard tech to fostering a culture of experimentation, Garry explains what it means to modernize responsibly in a highly regulated, performance-driven sector. Key Points: Innovation in the Tanker Sector: Garry discusses the challenges and opportunities of driving innovation in a traditional,...
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Episode 106: The Evolving Role of Freight Trading in a Digital World
The Last Dinosaur - Maritime Shipping In The Digital Age
🎙 Episode 106: The Evolving Role of Freight Trading in a Digital World Guest: Head of Research and FFA, and (Copenhagen Merchants Group) Overview: From chartering desks to freight analytics, Mads Frank Markussen bridges operational experience with digital innovation in maritime trading. In this episode, we explore how Navi Merchants builds freight models that empower — not replace — traders, the enduring value of brokers, and why FFAs are gaining ground in a volatile market. Key Points: Data models must serve the trader, not the other way around. Despite digitalization, brokers and...
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Episode 105: Decarbonization Meets Digital - zero44’s Vision for Maritime Compliance
The Last Dinosaur - Maritime Shipping In The Digital Age
Episode 105: Decarbonization Meets Digital - zero44’s Vision for Maritime Compliance Guest: , Co-founder & Managing Director, Episode Overview: In this episode, we sit down with Friederike Hesse, Co-founder and Managing Director of zero44, a Berlin-based startup helping the maritime industry navigate decarbonization through smart digital tools. From FuelEU Maritime to commercial strategy and pooling, Friederike breaks down how zero44 is giving operators a way to not only comply—but thrive. Key Points: The FuelEU Maritime Effect: How upcoming EU regulations are shaping behavior...
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Episode 104: From Satellites to Shipping – Terminal Innovation with Paul Albert-Lebrun
The Last Dinosaur - Maritime Shipping In The Digital Age
Episode 104: From Satellites to Shipping – Terminal Innovation with Paul Albert-Lebrun Guest: , Co-Founder & CEO of Paul joins us to explore how his aerospace background helped shape Nodal, a company creating a data assistant for terminal operators. We talk empathy in product design, the stubbornness of Excel, and the realities of bringing AI into complex operational environments. In this episode: What satellite operations taught Paul about physical infrastructure Why tech needs to meet maritime where it is — not replace it Lessons from inside the terminal operator’s office (yes,...
info_outlineEpisode 110: Rebuilding Shipbuilding – Remote Work, Training & the Future of U.S. Yards
Guest: Jason Lloyd, Senior Executive at TotalTek
Episode Overview:
Jason Lloyd brings over three decades of leadership experience, forged in the U.S. Navy’s nuclear power program, to the conversation on reviving America’s shipbuilding capabilities. In this episode, he explores how TotalTek is pioneering remote workforce models in ship design and engineering, tackling the shipyard talent gap, and creating pathways for the next generation of maritime professionals. From welding lessons of WWII to the promise of the SHIPS Act, this is a forward-looking take on a critical national issue.
Key Points:
- A Historical Wake-Up Call:
The U.S. went from building 5,000 ships in WWII to just 12 per year today—Jason breaks down the policy decisions that led to this decline and what must change. - Remote Work in Ship Design:
TotalTek has embraced a distributed engineering model, proving that with the right values, remote work can unlock a new, untapped labor pool across the country. - Training the Next Generation:
TotalTech’s partnership with Gulf Coast Community College helps new designers gain practical experience, breaking the “3 years of experience for an entry-level job” paradox. - Bridging the Industrial Gap:
Rebuilding capacity isn't just about welders—America is also facing a critical shortage of ship designers and engineers. Remote work and targeted training are part of the solution. - The SHIPS Act – Hope on the Horizon:
With bipartisan support and a focus on both infrastructure and workforce development, this proposed legislation could reshape U.S. maritime capabilities. - New Collar Work, New Thinking:
Additive manufacturing, cold spray, and other advanced techniques may be key to scaling up shipbuilding—if the U.S. embraces risk and innovation. - From Skeptic to Believer:
Jason candidly shares how he once doubted remote work—until he realized that getting the best people in the right roles matters more than where they sit.
Learn More:
Check out Episode 94: Maritime Digitalization Year in Review with Evan Efstathiou for a broader look at how innovation intersects with workforce trends in shipping.
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
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