UnDocked: The Maritime Transformation Show

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 Techno...

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 o...

Raal and Nick start with Undocked’s Spotify Wrapped before dissecting CargoWise’s new pricing, accidental vendor lock-in, and procurement’s ESG role. They explore wind-assisted propulsion, industry guidance and financing, shifting decarbonisation politics, and why ports and owners still invest. Columbia Blue’s eco-anxiety work highlights seafarer wellbeing as the energy transition accelerates. 00:...

Nick and Raal explore the widening gap between AI promise and AI governance, from AGI hype cycles to environmental costs, burnout culture, vibe coding, and Generative UI. They map out the risks for high-compliance maritime operations, unpack shifting IT budgets, and end by celebrating 50 years of dynamic positioning. 00:00 Introduction and early conversations 02:07 AI in maritime: key insights fro...

In this episode, Nick Chubb and Raal Harris dig into the growing complexity of reporting, data standards, and tech overload across the maritime industry. They open with OrbitMI’s new vessel reporting and analysis tool , designed to show shipowners how well their data aligns with industry standards, and why fragmented reporting regimes continue to frustrate crews and operators alike. Nick outlines...

In 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-cr...

In 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 b...

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 explain...

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...

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 sty...

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, an...

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 disciplin...

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 challenge...

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 a...

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 officia...

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 shocke...

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 e...

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 The...

In 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 decis...

In 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 introd...

In 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 cit...

In 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 c...

In 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 Saf...

In 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 cybersecu...

In 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 p...