Episode 124: Connecting Ships with Local Experts: Manos Koukouvios, COO, Vsltec
The Last Dinosaur - Maritime Shipping In The Digital Age
Release Date: 11/25/2025
Episode 126: Maritime Digitalization Year in Review 2025 with Evan Efstathiou
The Last Dinosaur - Maritime Shipping In The Digital Age
Guest: , CEO of l and Founder of 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: AI Moves From Hype to “Show Me the Money”: AI has shifted from novelty add-on to...
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Episode 125: Leveling the Playing Field in Global Trade with Carmit Glik of Ship4wd
The Last Dinosaur - Maritime Shipping In The Digital Age
Episode 125: Leveling the Playing Field in Global Trade with Carmit Glik of Ship4wd Guest: CEO, 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: Why SMBs Are the Real Backbone of Trade How small and mid-sized businesses...
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Episode 124: Connecting Ships with Local Experts: Manos Koukouvios, COO, Vsltec
The Last Dinosaur - Maritime Shipping In The Digital Age
Connecting Ships with Local Experts Guest: s, COO, Episode Overview: Former seafarer and now COO of Vsltec, Manos Koukouvios shares how a real off-hire HVAC failure in West Africa sparked the idea for a vetted, location-based network of technical service providers. We talk about building a two-sided marketplace in shipping, managing expectations in a “WhatsApp world,” and what founders should really focus on when starting in maritime tech. ⭐ Sponsor: Accelleron – LOREKA360° Emissions Desk You Should Be Operating Ships, Not Filing Paperwork Accelleron’s LOREKA360°...
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Episode 123: Digital Pay at Sea: Crew Wages, Compliance, and Cashless Ships with Stuart Ostrow of ShipMoney
The Last Dinosaur - Maritime Shipping In The Digital Age
Episode Overview: Crews are still getting paid with cash, FedExed checks, and manual wires. is trying to end that. In this episode, explains how digital payroll and controlled payout options are changing how seafarers get paid, how owners manage cash, and how operators stay compliant in a sanctions-heavy world. This episode of The Last Dinosaur is produced in proud partnership with , a global pitch platform spotlighting the people building the future of maritime. Sponsor: Staying compliant in shipping is only getting harder. CII, EU ETS, FuelEU… it’s nonstop. Orbit Reporter automates...
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Episode 122: Why Maritime Needs a Data Utility, Not Another App – Ari Marjamaa, Raa Labs
The Last Dinosaur - Maritime Shipping In The Digital Age
Episode 122: Why Maritime Needs a Data Utility, Not Another App – , Episode Overview: Raa Labs helps maritime businesses collect, organize, and share high-quality operational vessel data—onboard and onshore—so owners and operators can run analytics anywhere. Ari explains why Raa Labs acts like a “data utility layer”. This turns messy inputs into trusted signals, and what it takes to drive adoption from bridge to boardroom. Sponsor: keeps fleets connected with a hybrid OneWeb + Starlink solution managed by one trusted partner. Learn more at . Want to advertise with the...
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Episode 121: From Excel to Foresight: Ingrid Kylstad on Building Resilient, Low-Carbon Supply Chains
The Last Dinosaur - Maritime Shipping In The Digital Age
From Excel to Foresight: Ingrid Kylstad on Building Resilient, Low-Carbon Supply Chains Guest: , Managing Director, Episode Overview: Ingrid Kylstad joins Chris to unpack how Klaveness Digital’s helps industrial shippers shift from day-to-day firefighting to foresight-driven planning. They dive into digital twins for the seaborne supply chain, AI-enabled scenario modeling, change management in B2B software, and what it will take to build resilient, decarbonized, and cost-effective supply chains. As part of our Challenge series, this conversation spotlights practical innovation that...
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Episode 120: From F1 to Wind Wings: John Cooper on Data-Driven Decarbonization
The Last Dinosaur - Maritime Shipping In The Digital Age
Episode Title Episode 120: From F1 to Wind Wings: John Cooper on Data-Driven Decarbonization Guest: CEO, Episode Overview: How motorsport-grade simulation, digital twins, and on-deck feedback are turning wind-assisted propulsion into real fuel and CO₂ savings—especially for smaller operators. Key Points: F1 → fleets: Simulation culture applied to ship design. Digital twin: ShipSEAT models routes; guides real voyages. Crew buy-in: Pride, stability, and daily “CO₂ saved.” Retrofit ROI: 25-year wings move between vessels. Smart routing: Engine + wind changes voyage planning. SME...
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Episode 119: Project-Led Growth, Practical Decarbonization & Startup Bridges with Tabitha Logan
The Last Dinosaur - Maritime Shipping In The Digital Age
Episode 119: Project-Led Growth, Practical Decarbonization & Startup Bridges with Tabitha Logan Guest: , Director of Projects, ; Co-Founder, Episode Overview: From fleet renewals to digitalization to sustainability-linked financing, Tabitha Logan brings a project leader’s perspective to maritime’s transformation. She also shares how The Captain’s Table Challenge continues to bridge the gap between shipowners and startups. Key Points: Leading growth at Cetus: S&P, M&A, branding, digitalization, ESG Why change management > new tools when driving adoption Quick wins that...
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Episode 118: Driving Strategy and Scaling Maritime Tech with Aleksander Askeland of Manta Marine Technologies
The Last Dinosaur - Maritime Shipping In The Digital Age
Episode 118: Driving Strategy and Scaling Maritime Tech with of Guest: Aleksander Askeland, Chief Financial Officer, Manta Marine Technologies Episode Overview: Aleksander Askeland’s career journey has taken him from the Arctic coal trade to leading strategy and finance at Manta Marine Technologies, one of the most forward-looking players in maritime decarbonization. In this conversation, we dive into the CFO’s role as a strategic driver, the realities of scaling tech in shipping, and why digitalization and emissions compliance must go hand in hand. Key Points: From Svalbard to...
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Episode 117: Steering Shipping’s Future – Sustainability & Energy Transition at Swire
The Last Dinosaur - Maritime Shipping In The Digital Age
Episode 117: Steering Shipping’s Future – Sustainability & Energy Transition at Swire Guest: , Chief Sustainability & Energy Transition Officer, & Episode Overview: In this episode, part of The Last Dinosaur’s partnership with the , I sit down with Susana Germino to explore how one of the world’s oldest shipping companies is tackling the energy transition. From her personal journey — starting in coal transport and now leading sustainability — to Swire’s ambitious targets and pragmatic approach, Susana shares how legacy, innovation, and data come together in the...
info_outlineConnecting Ships with Local Experts
Guest: Manos Koukouvios, COO, Vsltec
Episode Overview:
Former seafarer and now COO of Vsltec, Manos Koukouvios shares how a real off-hire HVAC failure in West Africa sparked the idea for a vetted, location-based network of technical service providers. We talk about building a two-sided marketplace in shipping, managing expectations in a “WhatsApp world,” and what founders should really focus on when starting in maritime tech.
⭐ Sponsor: Accelleron – LOREKA360° Emissions Desk
You Should Be Operating Ships, Not Filing Paperwork
Accelleron’s LOREKA360° Emissions Desk is a complete compliance service that handles data checks, documentation, forecasting, and verification – powered by intelligent software and experts who’ve actually worked at sea.
👉 Learn more at accelleron.com/emissions-desk
Want to advertise with the podcast? Contact my friends at DigitalShip
Key Points
- From sea to startup: Manos’ journey from LNG and cruise ships to Flagship Founders and into VesselTech.
- The HVAC case that sparked Vsltec: How one bad technical job turned into months of off-hire and a clear problem to solve.
- Vetted, local networks: Why Vsltec insists on truly local service providers and how that de-clutters the “we do everything, everywhere” noise.
- Change management & expectations: Selling into overloaded technical/purchasing teams whose expectations are shaped by free, consumer-grade apps.
- Advice for founders: Obsess over the problem first, talk to people, and only build when you know it’s real, big, and worth paying for.
Learn More:
For another deep-dive on maritime innovation, check out Episode 78: Navigating Maritime Innovation with Fabian Feldhaus
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