Episode 73: Solving Problems and Building Futures in Ship Broking and Beyond with Zoe Upson
The Last Dinosaur - Maritime Shipping In The Digital Age
Release Date: 06/04/2024
Episode 94: Maritime Digitalization Year in Review 2024 with Evan Efstathiou
The Last Dinosaur - Maritime Shipping In The Digital Age
Episode 94: Maritime Digitalization Year in Review 2024 Guest: , Managing Director of and Chief Executive Officer of Editor's Note: Please note that there were some minor audio inconsistencies on the host's side during this episode. We appreciate your understanding and hope you enjoy the discussion! Episode Overview: In this annual tradition, Christopher Aversano is joined by Evangelos Efstathiou for the third year in a row to review the year in maritime digitalization and tech. They discuss the biggest trends of 2024, including the evolution of AI in the maritime industry, private...
info_outline
Episode 93: Navigating Ports and Innovation with Tommy Mikkelsen, Managing Director at Trelleborg Marine and Infrastructure
The Last Dinosaur - Maritime Shipping In The Digital Age
Episode 93: Navigating Ports and Innovation with Tommy Mikkelsen, Managing Director at Trelleborg Marine and Infrastructure Guest: Tommy Mikkelsen, Managing Director, Navigation and Piloting Division, Trelleborg Marine and Infrastructure Episode Overview: In this episode, Chris Aversano speaks with Tommy Mikkelsen about Trelleborg Marine and Infrastructure’s innovative contributions to port navigation and operational efficiency. With over 100 years of expertise, Trelleborg is at the forefront of advancing safety, sustainability, and digitalization in critical marine and port operations....
info_outline
Episode 92: Port Miami’s Vision for the Future with Christopher Hudtwalcker
The Last Dinosaur - Maritime Shipping In The Digital Age
Episode 92: Port Miami’s Vision for the Future with Christopher Hudtwalcker Guest: Senior Strategy & Innovation Officer, Episode Overview: In this episode of The Last Dinosaur, Christopher Aversano welcomes Christopher Hudtwalcker, the Senior Strategy & Innovation Officer of Port Miami. Hudtwalcker shares the port's transformative journey, detailing their dual focus on cruise and cargo sectors and plans for expanding as a key cargo hub for Latin America. With a strong emphasis on innovation, Port Miami is pioneering new initiatives like the creation of a dedicated innovation office...
info_outline
Episode 91: Navigating Global Marine Lubricants and Decarbonization with David Price, CEO of Gulf Marine
The Last Dinosaur - Maritime Shipping In The Digital Age
Episode 91: Navigating Global Marine Lubricants and Decarbonization with David Price, CEO of Gulf Marine In this episode of The Last Dinosaur, brought to you in partnership with the , C sits down with , CEO of , a company renowned for providing OEM-approved marine lubricants and technical services across 1,000+ ports worldwide. Gulf Marine, a subsidiary of Gulf Oil International within the Hinduja Group, is deeply committed to quality and customer service, ensuring reliable support wherever it’s needed. David shares Gulf Marine’s journey, his personal transition from customer to CEO, and...
info_outline
Episode 90: Driving Trade Forward – Digital Standards in Maritime with Pamela Mar, ICC
The Last Dinosaur - Maritime Shipping In The Digital Age
Episode 90: Driving Trade Forward – Digital Standards in Maritime with Pamela Mar, ICC Guest: , Managing Director of the Digital Standards Initiative, Episode Overview: In this episode, I speak with Pamela Mar, Managing Director of the Digital Standards Initiative at the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the world’s largest business organization representing 45 million businesses across 170 countries. We dive into ICC’s mission to streamline global trade, focusing on maritime’s critical role and how digital standards can transform the landscape for greater efficiency,...
info_outline
Episode 89: Seafarers, Decarbonization, and Diversity at Sea with Ralph Juhl, EVP, Technical at Hafnia
The Last Dinosaur - Maritime Shipping In The Digital Age
Episode 89: Seafarers, Decarbonization, and Diversity at Sea with Ralph Juhl, EVP, Technical at Hafnia Guest: , Executive Vice President, Technical, Episode Overview: In this episode, Christopher Aversano speaks with Ralph Juhl, EVP of Technical Operations at Hafnia, the largest operator of product and chemical tankers. They dive deep into the challenges and innovations facing the shipping industry, particularly the role of seafarers in decarbonization efforts, the evolving role of technology and digitalization on ships, and Hafnia's groundbreaking efforts to diversify crews with initiatives...
info_outline
Episode 88: Modernizing Great Lakes Shipping: Navigating Automation and Digitalization with Mark Barker
The Last Dinosaur - Maritime Shipping In The Digital Age
Episode Title: Modernizing Great Lakes Shipping: Navigating Automation and Digitalization with Mark Barker Guest: , President, Episode Overview: In this episode, host Christopher Aversano speaks with Mark Barker, President of Interlake Maritime Services. They explore the technological evolution of Great Lakes shipping, focusing on the integration of automation, digitization, and connectivity with Starlink. Mark shares insights into how Interlake is modernizing its fleet, preserving crew welfare, and leveraging social media to build its brand in an industry often overlooked by the public. Key...
info_outline
Episode 87: Navigating the Future: Seafarers' Welfare and Maritime Challenges
The Last Dinosaur - Maritime Shipping In The Digital Age
Episode 87: Navigating the Future: Seafarers' Welfare and Maritime Challenges Guest Panelists: , Executive Director, , , NAMMA , Executive Director, Episode Overview: Recorded live at the , this special World Maritime Day episode of The Last Dinosaur brings together key experts to discuss the future of seafarers' welfare and the challenges facing the maritime industry. Our panelists dive into this year’s theme, Serving Seafarers: First Things First, exploring critical topics such as sea blindness, the growing influence of digital connectivity, and the role of new technologies in shaping...
info_outline
Episode 86: Navigating the Future of Trade Logistics with Jan Hoffmann of UNCTAD
The Last Dinosaur - Maritime Shipping In The Digital Age
Episode 86: Navigating the Future of Trade Logistics with Guest: Jan Hoffmann, Head, Trade Logistics at the Episode Overview: In this episode, we sit down with Jan Hoffmann, Head of Trade Logistics at UNCTAD, to discuss the critical role that digitalization and sustainable development play in shaping global trade. We explore how the demand for digital data, particularly in maritime logistics, has skyrocketed since COVID-19 and the increasing reliance on tools like AIS tracking and AI. Jan shares his insights into decarbonization, energy transition, and the evolving landscape of logistics,...
info_outline
Episode 85 Wind-Assisted Propulsion with Cristina Aleixendri Muñoz
The Last Dinosaur - Maritime Shipping In The Digital Age
Episode 85: Wind-Assisted Propulsion and Innovation in Maritime with Guest: Cristina Aleixendri Muñoz, COO & Co-founder at Episode Overview: In this episode, Chris Aversano talks with Cristina Aleixendri Muñoz about bound4blue’s cutting-edge wind-assisted propulsion systems. They explore how these systems reduce fuel costs and emissions, the challenges of innovating in shipping, and the growing role of regulation in driving adoption. Cristina shares insights on the transition from aeronautics to maritime, the importance of crew engagement, and the challenges of scaling hardware...
info_outlineEpisode 73: Solving Problems and Building Futures in Ship Broking with Zoe Upson
Guest: Zoe Upson, Director at FACT - Freight and Commodity Talent LTD
Episode Overview: In this episode, we welcome Zoe Upson, Director at FACT - Freight and Commodity Talent LTD, a market leader in shipping and commodities talent solutions. Zoe shares her journey from being a broker to finding a more balanced work life in recruiting, her passion for problem-solving, and insights into the evolving landscape of the ship broking industry.
Key Points:
- Career Transition: Zoe's transition from brokerage to recruiting, emphasizing the work-life balance and satisfaction she finds in solving clients' problems.
- Problem-Solving: Zoe's love for being a problem solver and finding creative solutions for clients.
- Dubai's Growth: The rapid growth of Dubai, its favorable conditions for expatriates, and its emerging role as a hub for the shipping and commodities industry.
- Role of Recruiters: The dual role of recruiters in helping both hiring companies and job seekers, and the importance of having a talent partner who understands the business.
- Evolution in Recruitment: Changes in recruitment practices, leveraging skills creatively, and the transactional nature of the industry.
- Impact of AI: While AI will impact the industry, it won't replace the human touch in recruitment and brokerage; the roles will evolve.
- Trust and Relationships: Navigating an age of distrust through strong relationships and the importance of trust in the industry.
- Diversity in Recruitment: Challenges in hiring women, the importance of a diverse workforce, and proactive efforts to bring women into the shipping industry.
- Advice for Brokers: Encouragement for women and others to build strong relationships, which are crucial for success in the broking industry.
- Networking and LinkedIn: The power of LinkedIn as a networking tool and the underutilization of the platform in the shipping community.
- New Generation of Brokers: Understanding that new brokers are different, not lazy, and their role in driving future trends.
- Future Trends: Increasing funds and trading in FFAs (Forward Freight Agreements), both dry and wet.
- Recommended Reading: Zoe is currently re-reading "Feel the Fear... and Do It Anyway" by Susan Jeffers, a book on turning fear into action.
Tune in Now 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
This podcast is sponsored by Njord, powered by Maersk Tankers. Join Njord for their next webinar featuring several fantastic panelists as they discuss Wind-Assisted Propulsion Systems (WAPS). This takes place on June 25th, 1000 CEST, register here.
Support Our Podcast: If you've found value in this episode, please rate us 5-stars and follow. Subscribe to our newsletter for more updates. Your support truly makes a difference!
Keywords: ship broking, recruitment, work-life balance, problem-solving, Dubai, shipping industry, AI in recruitment, diverse workforce, LinkedIn networking, FFA trading.