In 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 integrated data hub.

The discussion dives into the complexity of crewing, from the exponential combinations of multinational teams on cruise ships to the intricate web of labour laws, union agreements, and training requirements that make crew management one of the hardest problems in shipping. Heather explains why integration, not replacement, is key moving from spreadsheets and siloed systems to connected platforms that improve efficiency without breaking what already works.

Nick and Raal also explore the people side of transformation, including Ripple’s challenge of uniting four legacy brands under a single culture and mission. Heather reflects on the importance of empathy, communication, and shared vision in creating a cohesive global team, and how satellite connectivity and crew wellbeing technology like Starlink are reshaping what it means to work at sea.

Looking ahead, Heather discusses the roadmap toward Ripple’s next-generation cloud platform, due to launch its first clients in 2026, and the long-term opportunity to expand into adjacent markets such as offshore, ferry, and commercial shipping. She also shares her optimism about AI’s role in maritime, her lessons from working with private equity, and the book that changed her view on the intersection of governance and innovation.

The episode closes on a personal note, with Heather’s guiding philosophy: say yes - to new industries, new opportunities, and even the challenges that make you nervous.

Episode Partner

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In 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 from Orca Informatics, a move that could redefine maritime training through simulation and serious games. Raal explains the difference between gamification and immersive learning, while Nick argues that simulation should supplement, not replace, traditional sea time. Together, they dissect why cadet berth shortages remain a structural problem and why the industry must balance realism, safety, and cost in next-generation training.

Next, they dive into the autonomy revolution, starting with the MS Lumiere’s world-first dock-to-dock autonomous voyage in the Netherlands and Evergreen’s Evermax crossing the Pacific without human input. They debate what “manned autonomy” really means, how crew skills might erode under automation, and the human factors lessons learned from aviation.

From there, the conversation expands to shipyard robotics, as Samsung Heavy Industries partners with Rainbow Robotics to bring humanoid and quadruped robots into welding, painting, and inspection tasks. Nick and Raal discuss the implications of humanoid robots like Figure 3, capable of learning by watching humans, and question whether society is ready for a future where AI could replace up to half of global manual labour.

Finally, they reflect on the rise of AI-generated “work slop” meaningless machine output that mimics productivity but adds no value. Citing MIT Media Lab research showing 95% of companies have seen no measurable ROI from AI, they debate how automation may be both the problem and the solution.

The episode closes on a lighter note as Undocked crosses 1,000 monthly streams, thanks to growing listener engagement and debate.

Episode Partner

This episode was brought to you by Sedna, the intelligent email platform built for the shipping industry. Sedna helps commercial and operational teams cut through high-volume communication, turning emails into structured, auditable workflows that improve efficiency, compliance, and collaboration across fleets and offices.

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Key links:

Thetius - Rightship Report

Figure 03 Trailer on YouTube

In 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 continues to underpin its progress today.

The conversation turns to climate action and regulatory uncertainty following the recent deferral of the IMO’s Net Zero framework. Laurence shares his frustration with the postponement but argues that progress must continue regardless, underpinned by three principles: well-to-wake thinking, efficiency first, and fuel flexibility. He highlights Odfjell’s remarkable 54% reduction in carbon intensity since 2008 — achieved through operational discipline and smart investment rather than sacrifice.

They also explore the company’s near net-zero voyage of the Bow Olympus, a chemical tanker fitted with suction sails and powered by certified B100 biofuel. The voyage proved both the technical and economic viability of running ships on sustainable fuel, achieving near-zero emissions at just a 15% cost premium. Laurence credits the initiative to the company’s collaborative culture and a “common bottom line” where those making operational decisions are also accountable for the financial outcomes.

From there, the discussion moves into AI and innovation, as Laurence explains how artificial intelligence is already optimising weather routing and operational planning. He offers advice for maritime tech innovators: identify real problems, quantify the benefit, and build trust through data.

Finally, the conversation broadens to diversity, inclusion, and leadership. Laurence shares how Odfjell is actively recruiting women to sea to strengthen its future talent pipeline, and why diversity of gender, age, and thought is not just a moral imperative but a business advantage. His closing message to the industry is simple: act now with the tools we already have, because every year of delay costs more than we realise.

Episode Partner: OrbitMI

The maritime industry is changing fast, and OrbitMI is built for this new, connected era. Their platform connects your systems into one intelligent workflow, accessible anytime, anywhere. From compliance to reporting to voyage optimisation, OrbitMI turns data into actionable insight. No silos. No guesswork. Just smarter operations. Trusted globally, recognized as a maritime innovator, and proven to deliver. OrbitMI helps shipowners cut costs, reduce risk, and thrive in the Connected Maritime Era.

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