Shows
UnDocked: The Maritime Transformation ShowAttention Spans, Authentic Leadership, and The Twin You Didn’t Ask ForIn this episode, Nick Chubb and Raal Harris return from CrewConnect Global in Manila, reflecting on the strange, dreamlike week of long-haul travel, jet lag, and big maritime conversations. Nick opens with a gripe: the rising narrative that Gen Z has no attention span and needs TikTok-style micro-training. They challenge the myth, arguing it’s patronising, inaccurate, and dangerous for a safety-critical industry, especially when young seafarers are delivering some of the most impressive, high-quality presentations in the sector, including a standout IMEC cadet-led cyber-risk session.The conversation shifts to seafarer representation in corporate leadership, sparked by Sp...
2025-11-2157 minUnDocked: The Maritime Transformation ShowSimplifying Scale, Building Culture, and the Discipline of Change with Torsten PedersenIn this episode, Nick Chubb and Raal Harris sit down with Torsten Pedersen, Chief Operating Officer of Seaspan Corporation, to explore what it takes to lead transformation inside the world’s largest independent container ship owner.Torsten shares his unconventional path from Danish village life to early CFO roles at Maersk, describing how global exposure shaped his leadership philosophy and his belief that the best ideas come from listening. He reflects on how those formative experiences informed his approach to lean, values-driven leadership at Seaspan, where simplicity, discipline, and collaboration underpin everything from safety to growth strategy....
2025-11-1759 minUnDocked: The Maritime Transformation ShowConnected Platforms, Crew Complexity, and Leading Change with Heather CombsIn this episode, Nick Chubb and Raal Harris are joined by Heather Combs, CEO of Ripple Operations, to explore how technology, people, and purpose are converging in the evolution of maritime HR and crew management.Heather shares her journey from tech-enabled services and edtech into maritime, describing how she was drawn to the sector’s blend of global impact and deep-rooted community. She explains how Ripple, formed through the merger of Marine Learning Systems, Adonis HR, Marine CFO, and ShipAdmin is building an end-to-end HR platform for maritime, connecting recruitment, scheduling, training, compliance, and payroll through one in...
2025-11-0651 minUnDocked: The Maritime Transformation ShowRightship ESG research, Simulation Games and the Rise of the RobotsIn this episode, Nick Chubb and Raal Harris unpack the findings of a new Thetius–RightShip report that reveals a major disconnect between shipowners and charterers on ESG performance. While around 70% of shipowners say they go above baseline compliance in safety, sustainability, and crew welfare, only 27% of charterers offer any commercial reward for doing so. They explore the implications for the market, discuss the launch of the Dry Bulk Centre of Excellence, and debate how a universal standard for “what good looks like” could help close the gap.The discussion then turns to ABS’s acquisition of MetaShip...
2025-10-301h 02UnDocked: The Maritime Transformation ShowDesign Thinking, Decarbonisation, and Doing What’s Right; in conversation with Laurence Odfjell, Chairman of Odfjell SEIn this episode, Nick Chubb and Raal Harris are joined by Laurence Odfjell, Chairman of Odfjell SE, for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, decarbonisation, and what it really takes to drive change in shipping.Laurence reflects on his journey from architect and winemaker to shipowner, sharing how design thinking, pragmatism, and a deep respect for nature have shaped both his leadership style and Odfjell’s approach to sustainability. The discussion unpacks how a company founded in 1914 became one of the world’s leading chemical tanker operators — and how a culture of innovation and shared values...
2025-10-2355 minUnDocked: The Maritime Transformation ShowTerminal Talk, Smarter Crews, and MEPC on the HorizonIn this episode, Nick Chubb and Raal Harris catch up after a hectic few weeks of travel to unpack the latest shifts shaping the maritime industry. Nick shares insights from the Kaleris APAC Customer Summit in Singapore, where terminal operators and carriers came together to discuss collaboration in the container ecosystem. They explore the challenges of just-in-time arrival, berth optimisation, and why the container sector — despite being the backbone of global trade — still struggles with basic communication between terminals and carriers.The conversation then turns to AI and competence, as Nick recounts a lively debate he took part...
2025-10-1459 minUnDocked: The Maritime Transformation ShowLessons in Leadership from the CEO of the World's Largest Ship ManagerIn this episode, Nick Chubb and Raal Harris are joined by Bjorn Højgaard, CEO of Anglo-Eastern, to explore how leadership, technology, and people are shaping the next era of ship management.Bjorn shares his journey from seafarer to CEO. He reflects on how experience at sea has influenced his leadership style, from building trust and accountability to balancing empathy with operational discipline. The discussion examines how the role of the ship manager is evolving from a service provider to a strategic partner in decarbonisation, digitalisation, and talent development.They dive into how AI and d...
2025-10-091h 19UnDocked: The Maritime Transformation ShowConversation at the Core, Email, AI and the Future of Trade with Bill DobieIn this episode, Nick Chubb and Raal Harris are joined by Bill Dobie, Founder and CEO of Sedna, to discuss the changing shape of maritime software and the forces driving consolidation across the industry. Bill shares his journey from building solutions to streamline shipping communications to leading one of the sector’s most recognisable digital platforms.The conversation dives into the challenges and opportunities of digital workflows, exploring how tools like Sedna transform communication, collaboration, and decision-making for shipping companies. Bill reflects on lessons from scaling a technology business in a conservative industry, the im...
2025-10-021h 01UnDocked: The Maritime Transformation ShowPurpose, Private Equity, and Patient Capital with Manish SinghIn this episode, Nick Chubb and Raal Harris sit down with Manish Singh to explore his journey through the maritime industry, from a third-generation seafaring background to leadership roles shaping some of the sector’s most influential businesses. They discuss the transformative changes driven by digitalization and decarbonization, and the role of private equity in providing not just capital but also strategic direction for maritime growth.The conversation unpacks what it takes to build successful maritime technology companies, the challenges of integration, and why a clear and compelling purpose is essential for long-term success. Manish emphasizes th...
2025-09-291h 02UnDocked: The Maritime Transformation ShowLISW Highlights, Regulatory Conviction, and the Mood of the IndustryIn this “LISW Hangover Edition,” Nick Chubb and Raal Harris reflect on a packed London International Shipping Week. Fresh from the gala dinners and 350+ events spread across the city, they share what stood out most in conversations with industry leaders.Three themes dominate their recap. First is artificial intelligence — so pervasive it cropped up in almost every panel, regardless of the official topic. Second is alternative fuels and propulsion, from the UK’s emerging role as a hub for wind power exports to ongoing debates around LNG, methanol, ammonia, and the pathway to nuclear. Third is...
2025-09-2157 minUnDocked: The Maritime Transformation ShowWhatsApp Contracts, the Future of Rightship, and Starlink’s $17B BetIn this episode, Nick Chubb and Raal Harris open with breaking news: SpaceX has spent $17 billion acquiring spectrum to power its next-generation Starlink direct-to-cell service. They explore what this means for mobile connectivity at sea, the race to eliminate dead zones, and why direct-to-handset satellite services could reshape how crews stay connected.From there, they dive into a legal shocker — a WhatsApp exchange that ended up forming a binding contract worth £248,000. The conversation unpacks how chat messages and even emojis can be legally enforceable, raising major risks for broking, crewing, and commercial negotiations that increasingly happen off-email.
2025-09-1158 minUnDocked: The Maritime Transformation ShowShore Control, Software Costs, and Seafarer TrainingIn this episode, Nick Chubb and Raal Harris start with a rain-soaked trip to see the Galleon Andalucía before diving into a major announcement from ABB and Wallenius Marine. Their new “Oversea” fleet optimisation service prompts a discussion on the rise of shore-based digital control rooms, the balance between master’s authority and shore-side decision support, and whether responsibility without empowerment risks pushing seafarers to burnout.The conversation then shifts to the high costs of maritime data collection and why so many companies are “drowning in data but starved of insight.” From Microsoft’s quiet removal of enterprise...
2025-09-0459 minUnDocked: The Maritime Transformation ShowPilot Purgatory, Practical AI & Human FearsIn this episode, Nick Chubb and Raal Harris dig into the findings of a new Thetius research report commissioned by Marcura, which shows that while 81% of maritime organisations are piloting AI, only 11% have policies in place, and just 23% are training their people. They debate whether AI deserves its own strategy or should simply sit inside a broader technology plan, with Nick introducing the Thetius ADAPT framework as a way for leaders to cut through the hype and move beyond “pilot purgatory.”They then turn to OrbitMI’s back-to-back acquisitions of Auqub and Galeforce, exploring why pairing agentic AI sof...
2025-08-281h 00UnDocked: The Maritime Transformation ShowCross-Selling, Connectivity & ConsolidationIn this episode, Nick Chubb brings Raal Harris up to speed on a wave of recent maritime tech M&A deals. They start with Marcura’s acquisition of Brightwell Navigator, unpacking why cruise is such a hard market to crack and how crew payments and procurement could open doors for cross-sell. The pair debate whether cross-selling in shipping ever really works, given entrenched silos and slow decision cycles.They then turn to STAR Information Systems’ acquisition of Sharecat, exploring the importance of clean, enriched data for maintenance and asset management, and why “garbage in, garbag...
2025-08-2156 minUnDocked: The Maritime Transformation ShowSafety, Spinouts, and the Future of SoftwareIn this episode, Nick Chubb breaks the news that DNV is spinning off its Ship Manager software into a new standalone brand: CFARER. He and Raal Harris unpack the branding choice, Wilhelmsen’s minority stake, and what it signals about class societies doubling down on maritime software ventures.The main discussion tackles a bold question: Is agentic AI the beginning of the end for SaaS? Raal introduces the argument that language-based AI agents could replace traditional user interfaces, challenging the CRUD foundation of most SaaS tools. Nick explores the business model implications, from the rise of pay-per-use AI...
2025-08-0759 minUnDocked: The Maritime Transformation ShowLegacy Media, Live Data, and Maritime’s Trust ProblemIn this episode, Nick Chubb breaks the news of his acquisition of Digital Ship, revealing plans to relaunch it under the new Antares Digital Group. He and Raal Harris discuss restoring the brand as a multimedia hub for maritime digitalisation and decarbonisation, separate from Thetius, but aligned in ambition.They explore the concept of collaborative autonomy, drawing parallels between smart cities and maritime tech. Nick introduces VDES as the next evolution of AIS, enabling real-time sharing of vessel passage plans and opening the door to richer operational awareness, alongside new risks.The discussion shifts to...
2025-07-3148 minUnDocked: The Maritime Transformation ShowLuck, Timing, and the Rise of the SuperworkerIn this episode, Nick Chubb and Raal Harris reflect on six years of Thetius, unpacking the role of luck, timing, and adaptability in building a sustainable maritime intelligence business. They trace Thetius’ evolution from a startup database of maritime innovators to a trusted research partner for shipowners, tech suppliers, and investors, with some acquisition success stories along the way.The conversation then shifts to Orbit MI’s unexpected acquisition of stealth-mode AI startup Auqub, and what it signals about the arrival of agentic AI in maritime. Nick explains how the move resembles a Silicon Vall...
2025-07-2446 minUnDocked: The Maritime Transformation ShowInbox Overload, Insurance Spikes, and 2050 DeadlinesIn this episode, Nick Chubb and Raal Harris unpack theDock’s 30 Under 30 Maritime Technology Companies list, spotlighting trends in European innovation and the dominance of chartering-focused software. They break the news of Sedna’s acquisition of Dataloy, exploring how the move could create a voyage management superapp and reshape email-driven operations.The conversation turns to the Allianz Safety and Shipping Review, highlighting a record low in vessel losses but rising anxiety around geopolitical risks, including the recent sinking of the Magic Seas. They discuss the sharp rise in war risk premiums, the growing impact of the “dark fleet...
2025-07-1037 minUnDocked: The Maritime Transformation ShowHuman Factors, Hacker Threats, and the Ammonia AgeIn this episode, Raal Harris and Nick Chubb reflect on the evolution of tanker inspections under OCIMF’s SIRE 2.0, praising the human-centric transformation led by Karen Davis. They discuss the rise of ammonia-fuelled bulk carriers, highlighting projects by BHP and Amon Maritime and the growing role of state support and route specialisation in decarbonisation. The conversation moves into cybersecurity, exploring a phishing case that cost £60k, the importance of regular drills, and the potential impact of connectivity on vessel seaworthiness. They wrap up with a look at the AI “gold rush” and how companies like Sedna are integrating large languag...
2025-07-0344 minUnDocked: The Maritime Transformation ShowNavigating the Challenges of SeafarersIn this episode, Raal Harris and Nick Chubb discuss the significance of Day of the Seafarer, highlighting the challenges faced by seafarers, including regulatory burdens and the need for better safety culture. They explore NYK's acquisition of Kadmos and its implications for the maritime industry, as well as the role of technology in enhancing safety and welfare. The conversation also touches on public engagement initiatives like MSC's Yellow Festival and the environmental impact of AI in maritime operations.Links:Captain Alexandros Lignos' post on the realities of being at seaSam Chambers' Chart on Seafarer SafetyMSC Yellow...
2025-06-2642 minUnDocked: The Maritime Transformation ShowThe Creative Frontier: AI's Role in Maritime InnovationIn this episode, Raal Harris and Nick Chubb explore various themes surrounding AI, its impact on the shipping industry, and the future of creativity. They discuss the importance of governance in AI usage, legal challenges related to copyright, and the evolving landscape of maritime investments. The conversation underscores the importance of a patient approach to innovation and the significance of individual vision in a world increasingly shaped by AI.Nick's article in Splash
2025-06-1946 minUnDocked: The Maritime Transformation Show"Norway is really the place to replenish optimism"In this episode of the Undocked podcast, hosts Raal Harris and Nick Chubb discuss their experiences at Norrshipping, focusing on the themes of decarbonisation, innovations in wind power, the role of AI in the maritime industry, and the exploration of alternative fuels, including nuclear energy.
2025-06-1240 min