In 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 in at the Saudi Maritime and Logistics Congress: Will artificial intelligence lead to less competence in the maritime industry? Together, they discuss what competence really means in a technology-augmented world, how AI can become an in-work enablement tool rather than a replacement, and why refusing to adapt could be the greater risk to future competence.

They also touch on AI’s organisational impact, from hiring freezes and shifting budgets to productivity expectations, and even Jeff Bezos’ vision for data centres in space. Raal connects these trends to the wider shifts in digital infrastructure, geopolitics, and sustainability, including how cloud capacity and satellite connectivity may reshape maritime operations.

From there, the discussion moves to training, storytelling, and transformation, as Raal reflects on his two-decade journey from Videotel to Ocean Technologies Group, and the launch of his new consultancy, Pitch Frame. The pair explore how brand, education, and enablement intersect, and why many groundbreaking maritime ideas fail not from poor technology, but from weak communication and internal alignment.

The episode closes with reflections from Maritime Cyprus, where uncertainty still surrounds future fuels and regulatory clarity. With the upcoming MEPC vote at the IMO, Nick and Raal debate whether the industry is ready to trade ambiguity for action — or risk losing momentum to regional fragmentation.

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In 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 digital tools are transforming fleet operations, helping teams move from reactive management to predictive decision-making. Bjorn explains Anglo-Eastern’s approach to digital transformation, using technology to empower people, strengthen safety, and simplify complex workflows rather than replace human judgment.

The conversation also tackles the future of crewing, from tackling global talent shortages to redefining training and career development. Bjorn highlights how culture and purpose are key to attracting the next generation of seafarers and how leaders can align people, process, and technology for sustainable performance.

Bjorn's book, Balance: Beyond Binary, can be purchased on Amazon.

Episode Partner

This episode was brought to you by Sedna, the intelligent email platform built for the shipping industry. Sedna turns high-volume communication into structured, shared workflows, helping teams reduce noise, maintain compliance, and make faster, better-informed decisions.

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In 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 importance of user-centred design, and why integration remains one of the hardest problems to solve.

They also examine industry consolidation, from private equity investments to M&A strategies and debate whether bigger platforms can deliver more value, or risk becoming too complex for end users. Bill stresses the need for maritime tech companies to stay focused on solving real problems rather than chasing trends, and highlights why AI and automation will be foundational in the next wave of shipping software.

Finally, Nick, Raal, and Bill consider the future of maritime software, discussing the cultural and organisational shifts needed for adoption, the role of patient capital, and what long-term success looks like in a cyclical and fragmented market.

Episode Partner

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In 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 the importance of convergence and collaboration across the industry, while also sharing insights on how AI is becoming foundational to maritime operations and decision-making.

Looking more broadly, they reflect on the cyclical nature of the maritime market, the need to embrace volatility in planning, and why patient capital is vital for fostering resilience and sustainable growth in an industry defined by long investment horizons.

Learn more about Manish:

Manish Singh on LinkedIn

Maris Investments website

In 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 the geopolitical mood, where optimism and pessimism seemed equally strong, and where global fragmentation of regulation looms large.

They also discuss creative event formats like “Strictly Decarb,” where hardware, operational excellence, and business model innovation competed head-to-head — showing that shipping has plenty of practical levers to pull on decarbonisation today. Nick highlights the first meaningful UK funding commitment of £1.1 billion toward emission reduction technologies, while Raal emphasises the need to include vendors much earlier in the innovation process.

The conversation then turns to certainty in regulation. With MEPC’s decisive October vote approaching, both note IMO Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez’s high-conviction leadership and its role in giving the industry something to galvanise around. They also cover unintended consequences of EU ETS, the risk of fragmented standards, and the urgent need for globally aligned approaches.

Finally, Nick and Raal preview a series of in-depth interviews recorded in the run up to LISW with leaders including Bjorn Horgaad (Anglo-Eastern), Bill Dobie (Sedna), Torsten Pedersen (Seaspan), Manish Singh (Maris Investments), and Heather Combs (Ripple Operations). From philosophy and leadership to AI adoption, business transformation, M&A, and crewing tech, these conversations promise to open new perspectives in the weeks ahead.

In 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.

The focus then shifts to Pemira’s minority investment in Rightship. Nick and Raal examine why private equity interest in maritime is rarely just about capital, and what Pemira’s technology and M&A expertise could mean for consolidation in vessel quality and chartering intelligence. They also discuss Rightship’s new Fleet Focus product, which uses AI to turn port state control and inspection data into actionable insights for owners and operators.

The discussion expands into maritime training, benchmarking, and the challenge of proving ROI. They highlight how AI can ease the heavy lift of analysing inspection data, why experiential learning often goes uncaptured, and what competency management can reveal about operator quality.

Nick then pitches three “Alpha School-inspired” business ideas for maritime: personalised onboarding bots for new crew, a compressed “one-hour Blue MBA,” and tools to capture retiring seafarers’ expertise before it walks out the door. Raal weighs the pros and cons of each, sparking a lively debate on knowledge drain, learning culture, and experiential risk management.

Finally, they reflect on London International Shipping Week, reveal their decision to continue Undocked beyond the first 12 episodes, and remind listeners to clear their “debt” by subscribing, rating, and reviewing the show.

In 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 volume discounts to the dangers of software renewal inertia, they highlight lessons for both buyers and vendors on pricing models, procurement strategy, and avoiding hidden cost drags.

Ammonia takes centre stage with Japan delivering the world’s first commercial dual-fuel ammonia engine. Nick and Raal explore the Just Transition Task Force’s work on global training standards, the urgent need to prepare crews, and how simulation technology, from full bridge setups to cloud-based VR like Kilo Solutions’ VASCO, is reshaping maritime learning. They debate the slow pace of STCW reform, the role of class and flag, and why outcome-focused training matters more than classroom hours.

To wrap up, they touch on ChatGPT’s new $300k+ content strategist role, sparking reflections on why human creativity remains vital even in an AI-driven age. They also tease upcoming guest interviews that will soon join the Undocked feed.

In 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 software with a traditional weather routing advisory business could be a smart hybrid play. The discussion unpacks how human expertise and automated platforms can coexist, and why trust and verification matter more in AI-driven systems than in traditional SaaS.

A major cyberattack on Iran’s shipping industry prompts a conversation on satcom vulnerabilities, IT/OT segregation, and why drills and resilience testing need to become the norm. From there, Nick and Raal dive into the human side of maritime, discussing seafarer isolation in the digital age, the double-edged sword of connectivity, and the undervalued role of emotional intelligence in crew management and leadership.

Looking ahead to London International Shipping Week, they share what’s on their agendas — from the Thetius Top 150 launch to panels on digitalisation, AI, and decarbonisation. They also highlight Marine Media Enterprises’ new Donate & Train initiative, blending e-learning with charitable giving.

To wrap up, a light-hearted debate over Elon Musk’s latest venture — “Macro Hard,” an AI-driven challenger to Microsoft — sparks reflections on branding, competition, and whether the tech billionaire can really pull it off.

Download the Thetius "Beyond the Hype" Report here.