Episode Show Notes:

Nick shares a secret squirrel message from an executive post corporate Microsoft Copilot rollout – $1.4 million spent, almost no usage, and a board satisfied by a graph trending “up and to the right.” Nick and Raal debate whether it’s genuine or sharply observed satire, which sets the tone for a wider discussion about AI adoption theatre versus measurable operational impact.

Raal reflects on his own Copilot frustrations and the broader issue: boards mandating “AI adoption” without defining outcomes. They examine hallucinations, agentic AI, and the growing temptation to delegate higher-order decision-making to systems whose workings are increasingly opaque. The core tension: productivity claims versus verification and control.

The conversation then shifts to economics and disrupting business models as a LinkedIn post reveals a $50,000 monthly AI compute bill that sparks the deeper question, does AI break the SaaS model? If margins are eroded, scalability is undermined and the structural shift could reshape how maritime software is priced and sold.

From there, the lens widens. Jeff Bezos’ $6.2 billion AI-industrial venture, Project Prometheus, and Elon Musk’s consolidation of AI, satellites, and space-based data centres suggest that infrastructure control – not just applications – is becoming strategic. For maritime, the implications sit at the intersection of connectivity, compute, and geopolitics.

Finally, the discussion returns firmly to shipping. Wind propulsion formally enters the IMO’s draft safety framework, signalling institutional momentum. Meanwhile, the rise of fraudulent flag registries. As regulatory pressure increases, so too does the ingenuity of evasion.

Chapters:

• 01:21 The Copilot “digital transformation” satire

• 06:20 Copilot vs ChatGPT and measuring AI ROI

• 21:32 SaaS economics under AI compute pressure

• 22:47 Bezos’ Project Prometheus and industrial AI

• 31:55 Musk, space-based AI infrastructure, and valuation games

• 44:22 Wind propulsion enters IMO safety framework

• 52:38 Fraudulent flags and phantom registries
  

Nick and Raal sit down with Mikael Skov, CEO of Hafnia and one of the most influential individuals in modern tanker shipping. Mikael outlines Hafnia’s evolution into one of the world’s largest product tanker operators, grounded in spot market exposure and global trading. He reflects on entering shipping by chance, why it quickly becomes a lifestyle, and how cycles hardwire behaviour, risk tolerance, and leadership mindset.

The conversation moves to Hafnia’s post–financial crisis founding, the non-negotiable importance of assembling a credible team early, and what changes when you build alongside professional investors.

Attention turns to growth, consolidation, and recent strategic moves, including the TORM stake, and counter-cyclical fleet investments. Skov discusses energy transition pragmatically, emphasising alignment with cargo owners, longer-term contracts, and learning through initiatives like Seascale Energy.

The episode closes with leadership and responsibility: managing volatility without paralysis, creating space for innovation inside large organisations, confronting the systemic risks of the dark fleet, and defending international regulation as the least-worst framework available in a fractured geopolitical world.

A rare conversation with one of shipping’s most consequential operators who has built scale through cycles, stayed disciplined when others chased narratives, and is clear-eyed about what actually works in shipping.

Chapters

• 02:21 Entering shipping and why it becomes a lifestyle

• 06:13 Cyclicality, spot markets, and competitive advantage

• 07:56 Founding Hafnia after TORM

• 09:31 Building a credible founding team for investors

• 13:36 Timing the cycle and learning capital discipline

• 20:47 Pooling, partnerships, and commercial scale

• 31:03 Culture, governance, and growing a global organisation

• 37:40 Buying ships at the bottom of the cycle

• 41:12 TORM stake and consolidation logic

• 44:06 Energy transition strategy and client alignment

• 57:07 Long-term thinking versus quarterly markets

• 1:01:38 Volatility, fleet age, and future supply

In this episode, Raal and Nick turn to a sobering ITF report showing seafarer and vessel abandonment at its worst-ever levels. They unpack what abandonment actually means in practice, why Indian seafarers are disproportionately affected, and how ownership structures, sanctions, and flags of convenience leave crews with little protection or recourse.

From there, the discussion broadens to transparency, data, and trust: why individual seafarers struggle to assess operator risk, how fragmented information limits accountability, and why even well-intentioned standards struggle to reach those most exposed. The conversation then pivots to the International Standards Organisation, illustrating how conformance standards quietly underpin global trade, from containers and currencies to unexpected examples like tea preparation.

The episode closes with a pragmatic look at modern shipping realities: USB sticks still moving critical vessel data, the absence of shared operational standards, and practical advice on navigating the 2026 maritime events calendar, including how to minimise chance, maximise learning, and extract real value from industry gatherings.

• 01:45 ITF data and the scale of seafarer abandonment
• 14:50 Flags of convenience and structural incentives
• 20:59 Why standards matter in global trade
• 26:18 ISO standards, from containers to tea
• 39:12 USB sticks, bay plans, and broken data exchange
• 43:00 Maritime events calendar for 2026

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In this episode, Raal Harris and Nick Chubb look back on the dramatic turn of the last two week’s events and ask what rupture in the global rules based order could mean for shipping. They discuss how geopolitical volatility and tariffs are reshaping trade routes and operational risk, why global shipping has become harder to plan and manage. They discuss the need for energy security and the potential role of nuclear power with LR’s announcement of their UK Nuclear Consortium and how a move to nuclear propulsion could transform shipping. They also spotlight the announcement of the biggest ever battery powered vessel set to go into service and the wider impact battery powered ships could make in world trade.

The conversation then turns to Lomar shipping’s strategic pilot with AI start up Signal Fusion designed to aid predictive behavioural intelligence in maritime operations. They discuss how this could be an enabler for a human factors approach and whether AI could play a role in safety and decision-making, and why engaging crews is critical to safer operations.

Chapters

01:39 Global Shipping Landscape and Geopolitical Volatility

09:44 Impact of Tariffs and Uncertainty on Shipping

14:25 The Future of NATO and Global Trade

17:27 Energy Security and Nuclear Shipping Innovations

25:29 Battery-Powered Ships and Their Potential

28:21 Decarbonisation in Australia: A Pioneer Approach

31:49 Navigating Risks in Battery Technology

34:28 Human Factors in Maritime Operations

40:22 AI and Human Performance in Shipping

53:43 Engagement and Feedback in Maritime Safety

Tabitha Logan shares her journey from lawyer to becoming a leading voice in the maritime industry, as Project Director for ship owner-operator Cetus Maritime and as co-founder of The Captain’s Table the global pitch competition and venture platform for maritime startups. Tabitha shares her perspective on the challenges and opportunities in global shipping, the importance of mergers and acquisitions to build scale and capacity, the significance of digital transformation, and the role of branding in successful mergers. Tabitha also shares her passion for supporting startups, gives tips on what investors are looking for and emphasises the need for innovation and sustainability in the maritime sector. Finally she shares her advice to those aspiring to a fulfilling career in the industry.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Tabitha Logan and Her Journey

04:39 Cetus Maritime: Mergers and Acquisitions Overview

18:02 The Importance of Digital Integration in M&A

30:47 Navigating Diverse Roles in Maritime Operations

36:02 Bridging Silos: The Importance of Collaboration

39:08 Sustainability in Shipping: A Progressive Outlook

41:06 The Captain's Table: Fostering Innovation in Maritime

48:08 Identifying Winning Solutions: Trends and Insights

53:05 Balancing Innovation and Operations in Shipping

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Raal and Nick discuss New Year reflections, M&A activity and V Group's acquisition of Nord. They delve into the importance of decarbonisation and fuel efficiency, the role of ship managers, and innovations in ship management services. The conversation also touches on behavioral changes for fuel efficiency, the challenges posed by the dark fleet, and the IMO's digitalisation strategy.

Chapters

04:05 M&A Activity in the Shipping Industry

04:56 V Group's Acquisition of Njord

11:03 The Role of Ship Managers in Decarbonisation

15:40 Innovative Solutions for Fuel Efficiency

22:25 The Importance of Data in Shipping

33:00 The Evolving Role of Class Societies and Ship Managers

33:19 Navigating Conflicts in Maritime Technology

40:09 Understanding the Dark Fleet and Sanctions

47:57 Emerging Solutions: Maritime Transparency Index

50:52 IMO's Digitalisation Strategy: A New Era

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Nick and Raal close out the year with the inaugural Shippee Awards, reflecting on the stories, themes, controversies, and personalities that defined maritime in 2025. From decarbonisation debates and regulatory tension to standout entrepreneurship and shifting narratives, they look back on the year that was and ahead to a slightly unsettling 2026.

Chapters

05:50 Ship Owner of the Year

11:53 Technology Entrepreneur of the Year

17:44 Maritime Journalist of the Year

30:09 Mergers & Acquisition Deal of the Year

46:34 Decarbonisation Champion

57:15 Transformation of the Year

01:10:30 Gaffes of the Year: Industry Reflections

01:18:19 Wild Predictions for 2026

Nick and Raal explore recent acquisitions, the unique characteristics of the Greek shipping market, the impact of AI on recruitment processes, and innovations in maritime technology such as tethered drones and remote inspections. They also touch on Ocean Infinity's advancements in robotic fleets, highlighting the evolving landscape of maritime operations.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview of the Podcast

01:25 Recent Developments in Maritime E-Learning

07:59 Understanding the Greek Maritime Market

12:42 AI in Recruitment: A Surprising Study

23:23 Innovative Uses of Tethered Drones

28:02 Rethinking Maritime Inspections with Technology

33:24 The Rise of Robotic Ships in Offshore Services

This episode is brought to you by KVH. Delivering resilient connectivity, data, and insights to keep maritime operations connected, informed, and moving, wherever you are. Learn more at kvh.com.