The Last Dinosaur - Maritime Shipping In the Digital Age

Christopher Aversano

Maritime Digital Evolution with Chris Aversano Dive deep into the maritime world's digital transformation with Chris Aversano, a seasoned maritime professional with three decades of experience both on shore and at sea. Recognizing that the maritime sector has been one of the last to fully embrace the digital age, Chris delves into the pivotal changes now underway. Join Chris as he engages with the trailblazers, innovators, investors, and thought leaders who are steering the maritime industry into the digital future. Whether you're a maritime enthusiast, a tech aficionado, or someone curious about both realms, this podcast promises insightful discussions and a fresh perspective on the maritime digital frontier. Tune in and embark on a journey to explore the digital waves reshaping the maritime world.

  1. 2d ago

    Episode 141 | Beyond the AI Hype: Emma Collier on AI, Leadership & Maritime's Next Transformation

    Episode 141 | Beyond the AI Hype: Emma Collier on AI, Leadership & Maritime's Next Transformation Topics: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Maritime Innovation, Digital Transformation, Shipping Technology, Leadership, Change Management, Posidonia 2026, Further Ventures, Maritime Strategy Artificial intelligence is dominating the conversation across maritime, but how do we move beyond pilots, hype, and headlines to create lasting change? In this episode, Chris sits down with Emma Collier, Founder of Further Ventures, to explore the future of AI in shipping, digital transformation, leadership, and innovation. Together they discuss why successful AI adoption depends less on technology and more on change management, accountability, and developing the people who will lead the industry's next chapter. Why this conversation matters Fresh from the inaugural Further Ventures symposium held ahead of Posidonia 2026, Emma shares the ideas that challenged conventional thinking—from treating AI as a strategic hire rather than another software tool to preparing maritime professionals for a future where continuous learning, human judgment, and domain expertise become competitive advantages. Whether you're a shipowner, operator, technology provider, investor, or simply interested in where maritime is heading, this conversation offers practical insight into one of the industry's most important transitions. AI finally makes the one-on-one tutor accessible and affordable, so we could increasingly start to change manage ourselves as an industry. This should apply both onshore and for seafarers, though their current circumstances rarely allow the time or headspace for it. How this could shift is something our rooms will include. In this episode Emma's unconventional journey into maritime Why Further Ventures was created Lessons from the first AI symposium ahead of Posidonia Why AI should be treated like a strategic hire—not just another tool The accountability challenge surrounding AI Why many AI initiatives struggle to gain traction Change management in the age of artificial intelligence The future skills maritime leaders will need Continuous learning as a competitive advantage Where Further Ventures—and maritime innovation—goes next Episode Timeline 02:25 – Emma's journey into maritime and Greece 05:15 – Why she founded Further Ventures 08:05 – Inside the first Further Ventures symposium 11:30 – Why AI should be treated like a strategic hire 14:50 – Change management and the human element 19:05 – Continuous learning and AI-enabled education 21:45 – The future skills maritime leaders will need 26:30 – Where Further Ventures goes next 30:25 – Emma's recommended reading Sponsor Today's episode is sponsored by Digital Ship. Maritime's digital transformation is accelerating, but turning strategy into execution remains one of the industry's biggest challenges. On 15 October in Athens, Digital Ship's Maritime IT Summit will bring together senior leaders in IT, digitalization, and vessel operations to discuss scaling AI, strengthening cyber resilience, and modernizing data and IT infrastructure. If you're looking for practical insights, real-world case studies, and candid discussions with the people driving change across shipping, this is an event you won't want to miss. Secure your delegate pass today at thedigitalship.com/summit. Tune In Now Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts. Music by Peg and The Rejected – King of SKA Artwork by GA Design Produced by Chris Aversano Support The Podcast If you've found value in this episode, please rate the podcast, leave a review, follow the show, and share it with a colleague. Interested in sponsoring The Last Dinosaur? Reach out to our friends at Digital Ship to learn more about advertising opportunities. If you'd like to support the podcast directly, you can also Buy Me a Coffee. Stay salty. Stay curious.

  2. Jul 7

    Episode 140: Maritime Digitalization: What We Still Haven't Learned

    Episode 140: Maritime Digitalization: What We Still Haven't Learned For more than four decades, Giampiero Soncini has helped shape maritime technology, from his early days in the Italian Navy and NATO to leadership roles at SpecTec, ShipNet, and Oceanly. In this episode, he shares hard-earned lessons on digitalization, data quality, AI, and why shipping's greatest challenge has never been technology—it's been changing the way people work. In This Episode ✅ Giampiero's journey from the Italian Navy to maritime software pioneer ✅ Why shipping continues to struggle with change management ✅ Lessons from the early days of maritime software ✅ The importance of data quality and sensor reliability ✅ What shipping has gotten right about digitalization ✅ AI, hype cycles, and practical applications ✅ Why technology should support expertise—not replace it ✅ The future of maritime operations and decision-making Notable Quotes "Technology has changed. The mentality has been the roadblock." "Shipping moves at the speed of ships." "IT doesn't replace experience. It supports experience." "Our job is not a real job. It's a disease. Once you get it, you can never get rid of it." Timestamps 00:50 – Welcome and introduction 01:50 – From the Italian Navy to NATO 06:00 – Entering commercial shipping 07:50 – Why shipping still resists change 11:50 – Technology should support people 15:50 – Data quality and sensor reliability 21:50 – What shipping has gotten right 24:50 – Blockchain, AI, and separating hype from reality 27:50 – Practical uses of AI today 34:20 – Advice for the next generation 35:50 – Why shipping becomes a lifelong passion 36:50 – Books, history, and building a personal library 39:50 – Closing thoughts Tune In Now Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts. Music by: Peg and The Rejected – King of SKA Artwork by: GA Design Produced by: Chris Aversano This episode is sponsored by KVH. As vessels become increasingly connected, the ability to prioritize, secure, and optimize onboard data has become just as important as the connection itself. Here's how KVH is helping operators turn connectivity into a competitive advantage. Support Our Podcast If you've found value in this episode, please rate the podcast, leave a review, follow the show, and share it with a colleague. Interested in sponsoring The Last Dinosaur? Reach out to our friends at Digital Ship to learn more about advertising opportunities. Stay salty. Stay curious.

  3. Jun 23

    Episode 139: From Data Collection to Decision Making with Christian Treu

    Episode 139: From Data Collection to Decision Making with Christian Treu   Digital transformation in shipping has moved beyond simply collecting data. The challenge now is turning that information into trusted, actionable intelligence that improves performance, efficiency, and decision-making. In this episode of The Last Dinosaur, Chris Aversano sits down with Christian Treu of Danelec, a GTT Group company, to discuss the evolution of maritime technology, the growing sophistication of AI conversations, and why execution remains more important than strategy. Christian shares insights from his journey through IBM, Maersk, maritime finance, ZeroNorth, and now Danelec, where he helps shipowners bridge the gap between shipboard data and operational performance. Sponsored by Danelec Voyage optimization has been a buzzword in maritime for years. So why are most operators still managing routing, speed, fuel and emissions exposure as if they were separate problems? The Great Integration, a new report from Danelec and Thetius, argues that the next leap in voyage performance will not come from another piece of software. It comes from how existing systems are connected, governed, and used. Especially useful for operators running mixed fleets under tightening regulatory requirements. For more information, reach out to our friends at Digital Ship. Key Topics Discussed 02:00 Christian's journey from the Danish Navy to IBM, Maersk, and maritime technology 07:00 Why maritime customers are becoming more sophisticated digital buyers 10:30 The evolution of Danelec from hardware provider to digital performance platform 15:00 Data quality, trust, and the challenge of turning information into insight 19:00 AI, machine learning, and avoiding "AI for AI's sake" 22:00 Demonstrating ROI and building the business case for maritime technology 25:00 Breaking down data silos and the industry's integration challenge 29:00 Why shipping remains one of the most rewarding industries to build a career in 32:00 Leadership lessons, books, and lifelong learning Why Listen? Christian offers a practical perspective on where maritime digitalization stands today. Rather than focusing on technology hype, he highlights the importance of trust, data quality, integration, and execution. It is a thoughtful conversation for anyone trying to understand what digital transformation looks like inside shipping companies. Memorable Quote "Execution beats strategy. Strategy is important, but execution is what ultimately makes the difference." Related Listening Episode 132: Jan Dieleman, Cargill Tune In Now Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts. Music by: Peg and The Rejected – King of SKA Artwork by: GA Design Produced by: Chris Aversano Support Our Podcast If you've found value in this episode, please rate the podcast, leave a review, follow the show, and share it with a colleague. Interested in sponsoring The Last Dinosaur? Reach out to our friends at Digital Ship to learn more about advertising opportunities.

  4. Jun 9

    Episode 138: Weather, Risk & Maritime Decision Making with Amy Buhl of Weathernews

    Episode 138: Weather, Risk & Maritime Decision Making with Amy Buhl of Weathernews Guest: Amy Buhl, Service Operations Leader at Weathernews Episode Overview Weather impacts every voyage, every day, yet it often operates quietly in the background of maritime decision-making. In this episode of The Last Dinosaur, Chris sits down with Amy Buhl, Service Operations Leader at Weathernews, to discuss how weather intelligence, vessel operations, connectivity, vessel performance, and voyage optimization are becoming increasingly interconnected. Drawing on more than two decades of experience, Amy explains how voyage optimization has evolved from simply avoiding bad weather into a sophisticated balancing act involving safety, fuel efficiency, emissions performance, commercial requirements, and real-time operational decision-making. The conversation also explores the growing role of Starlink-enabled connectivity, probabilistic forecasting, and how weather professionals help operators navigate an increasingly volatile environment. Key Discussion Highlights 01:00 – Introduction to Amy Buhl and Weathernews 05:50 – Why a global maritime weather company operates from Oklahoma 09:00 – How Weathernews supports voyage planning, routing, monitoring, and post-voyage analysis 12:00 – The evolution of voyage optimization and the impact of emissions regulations 15:00 – Technology as decision support, not decision replacement 18:00 – Why maritime digitalization is often a communication challenge 20:30 – Starlink, real-time connectivity, and changing ship-shore operations 23:00 – Probabilistic forecasting and helping operators understand risk 26:00 – Extreme weather, rapid intensification, and emerging operational challenges 29:00 – Why maritime meteorology provides a unique view of global trade 32:00 – The real-world impact of weather decisions on global supply chains 34:45 – Wrap-up and book recommendations Related Listening Episode 134: Maritime's Digital Transformation with Tim Morris of ITS UK Maritime Both conversations explore how technology only creates value when it integrates into operational workflows and helps people make better decisions. Tune In Now Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts. Music by: Peg and The Rejected – King of SKA Artwork by: GA Design Produced by: Chris Aversano Support Our Podcast If you've found value in this episode, please rate the podcast, leave a review, follow the show, and share it with a colleague. Interested in sponsoring The Last Dinosaur? Reach out to our friends at Digital Ship to learn more about advertising opportunities.

  5. May 26

    Episode 137: Fuel, Data, and Real Margins – Building a Modern Bunkering Business with Daniel Rose of Shipergy

    Episode 137: Fuel, Data, and Real Margins – Building a Modern Bunkering Business with Daniel Rose of Shipergy Guest: Daniel Rose, Co-Founder, Shipergy Episode Overview: What does it take to build a modern trading business in one of shipping's oldest markets? In Episode 137, Daniel Rose shares how he co-founded Shipergy and scaled it from zero to over $200M in revenue, all while building data-driven tools that challenge how fuel is bought and valued. From early-stage chaos to AI-enabled operations, this is a grounded look at where technology really works and where it doesn't. Key Moments   00:10 – The origin of Shipergy From entrepreneur-in-residence to building a new kind of bunkering company 01:50 – Why tech comes second to revenue early on Starting with fuel trading, not software 04:35 – Solving real problems vs chasing hype Why most "cool tech" never lands in maritime 07:40 – Scaling to $200M+ revenue What actually drove early growth (and what didn't) 11:00 – Building trust from zero Credit, counterparties, and flying around the world to close deals 15:40 – The mistake: growth for growth's sake Why slowing down might have made more money 18:20 – The hidden inefficiency in bunkering Why energy content and not price per ton should matter 21:30 – Data, transparency, and margin tension Why transparency is both necessary and dangerous 25:10 – Why adoption fails (and how to fix it) If it's not tied to KPIs, no one cares 28:30 – Proof over pitch Using external validation and real data to win trust 30:40 – AI in shipping: what actually changes Efficiency gains, not full automation 32:40 – The shift from SaaS to data consumption Why clients increasingly want APIs, not platforms 34:50 – AI inside the company 4x productivity—but with real risks 38:00 – Leadership and decision-making Lessons from The Courage to Be Disliked 🤝 Sponsor This episode is sponsored by Danelec. Their latest collaboration with Thetius, The Great Integration, explores the hidden "fragmentation tax" across shipping; where teams lose time reconciling data across disconnected systems instead of making decisions. Recommended listening for owners, charterers, and commercial teams looking to better connect data, workflows, and operational insight. For more information, reach out to our friends at Digital Ship. Tune in Now: Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more. Watch the episode on YouTube. Music by: Peg and The Rejected – King of SKA Art Work By: GA Design Produced by: Chris Aversano Support Our Podcast: If you've found value in this episode, please rate us 5-stars and follow. Subscribe to our newsletter for more updates. Your support truly makes a difference!

  6. May 12

    Episode 136: Translating Maritime Innovation – From Shipyards to Startups with Caitlin Hardy

    Episode 136: Translating Maritime Innovation – From Shipyards to Startups with Caitlin Hardy Guest: Caitlin Hardy, Founder & Managing Director, Ness Sea Episode Overview: Caitlin Hardy joins The Last Dinosaur to break down what it really takes to bring technology into maritime, from shipbuilding and subsea systems to startups trying to find product-market fit. Drawing on her experience across naval architecture, Kongsberg, and now Ness Sea, Caitlin offers a clear-eyed view of why adoption is hard, who drives innovation, and why the industry still struggles to tell its story. This conversation touches on the realities of commercial vs defense innovation, the role of capital in driving change, and the growing need for "translators" who can bridge engineering, operations, and business. Key Points Bridging Ship and Shore: The disconnect between design, operations, and crews continues to create friction and opportunity Commercial vs Defense Reality: Speed vs process and why commercial maritime moves faster than government-led innovation Innovation is Owned by Risk-Takers: Progress happens when someone is willing to fund and trial new technology Startups in Maritime: Execution under real-world constraints is far harder than building the idea Autonomy vs Practical Automation: The industry may see more impact from incremental automation than full autonomy The Translator Gap: Maritime needs more professionals who can connect technical, operational, and commercial perspectives A Branding Problem: The industry struggles to tell its story and attract the next generation of talent Timestamps 00:50 – Introduction to Caitlin Hardy 01:40 – Early maritime roots and Naval Academy background 04:00 – Transition from Navy to commercial maritime 07:20 – Procurement complexity and shipbuilding challenges 12:53 – Subsea technology and autonomy: reality vs hype 17:15 – Who owns innovation in maritime 22:15 – The rise of maritime tech startups 24:35 – What founders get wrong 26:55 – What operators get wrong 33:18 – Social media and maritime's branding problem 40:20 – Wrap-up and final thoughts Learn More: For more on how capital and strategy are shaping maritime innovation, check out Episode 112 with Kenji Togasaki, as well as past conversations with Jan Dieleman and Evan Efstathiou. Tune in Now: Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more. Watch the episode on YouTube. Sponsor – KVH Industries Staying connected at sea isn't just about bandwidth anymore. It's about reliability, flexibility, and control. KVH Industries is setting a new standard with fully integrated LEO connectivity, combining Starlink and OneWeb with advanced onboard network management. Whether you're managing a single vessel or an entire global fleet, KVH delivers fast, low-latency connectivity with seamless switching across networks. And with the CommBox Edge ecosystem, you can manage bandwidth, prioritise applications, and optimise performance across every vessel. You're not just connected—you're in control. Visit kvh.com and see what full control at sea really looks like. Interested in Sponsoring? If you're looking to reach a highly engaged maritime audience of operators, technologists, and decision-makers, The Last Dinosaur partners with Digital Ship for podcast sponsorships. Get in touch with Digital Ship to explore opportunities.

  7. Apr 28

    Episode 135: Beyond Compliance – The Reality of Seafarer Wellbeing with Meei Wong

    Episode Overview: A conversation that challenges how the industry defines "wellbeing." Meei Wong, Founder and CEO of Circle Digital Ventures, breaks down why compliance-driven metrics miss the real picture onboard—and why trust, culture, and incentives are the real barriers to improving life at sea. Timestamps: 00:05 – Introduction and Meei's journey into seafarer welfare 02:23 – A broken system: industry value vs reliance on charities 05:20 – What wellbeing actually looks like onboard vs compliance metrics 10:36 – Why self-reported data misses the reality 13:08 – Health gaps, underreporting, and life at sea 17:35 – Adoption challenges and resistance to new technology 20:13 – Who drives adoption—and who pays 24:23 – The shift from CSR to risk management 28:30 – The case for investing in human lives 31:26 – Closing thoughts and reading recommendations Learn More: Check out related conversations on seafarer welfare and human systems, including Episode 109, featuring Pam Kern talking about maritime mental health. Tune in Now: Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more. Watch the episode on YouTube. Music by: Peg and The Rejected 'King of SKA' Art Work By: GA Design Produced by: Chris Aversano Support Our Podcast: If you've found value in this episode, please rate us 5-stars and follow. Share it with someone in the industry who should be part of this conversation. Interested in sponsoring the podcast? Connect with Digital Ship to learn more.

    Episode 135: Beyond Compliance – The Reality of Seafarer Wellbeing with Meei Wong

  8. Apr 14

    Episode 134: Why Maritime Still Isn't Connected – And What It Will Take to Fix It

    Guest: Tim Morris, Principal Engineer at Arup; Chair, ITS UK Maritime Forum Episode Overview: Maritime has no shortage of digital tools. What it lacks is connection. In this episode, Chris Aversano speaks with Tim Morris about why shipping still operates in silos while other transport sectors have evolved into fully connected systems. They explore what intelligent transport systems (ITS) really mean in a maritime context, where the industry is falling short, and how better coordination across ports, vessels, and landside logistics could unlock efficiency, resilience, and sustainability. Key Moments 00:05 – Introduction Chris sets the stage: maritime as part of a broader transport ecosystem and the gap between shipping and other modes. 01:14 – Tim's Background and Systems Thinking From highways to ports, Tim explains how land-based transport challenges led him to maritime and system-wide coordination. 03:23 – The "Light Bulb" Moment COVID disruptions revealed how fragile and disconnected maritime systems are when things go wrong. 07:42 – What Is an Intelligent Transport System (ITS)? ITS defined as digitized data + secure communication + decision-making capability across connected systems. 12:00 – The Core Problem: Who Owns the System? Chris highlights the fundamental challenge of fragmentation and lack of shared standards across stakeholders. 13:04 – Technology vs. Transformation Tim explains why this is not just a tech problem, but a change management and alignment issue. 16:27 – Where to Start: Breaking the Deadlock Ports and terminals emerge as a practical starting point for enabling data sharing and coordination. 21:16 – The UK Perspective How the UK is exploring coastal shipping, smaller port inclusion, and integrated transport strategies. 23:46 – What Happens If We Do Nothing? The risk is not just inefficiency—it is widening disconnect between maritime and the rest of the supply chain. 25:45 – Efficiency, AI, and New Business Models Connectivity could unlock new services, better decision-making, and entirely new commercial opportunities. 28:28 – Human + AI Collaboration AI as a support tool, not a replacement, especially in safety-critical maritime environments. 28:51 – What Tim Is Reading The Wide Wide Sea by Hampton Sides—a look at Captain James Cook's final voyage and early navigation challenges. 29:55 – A Book in the Works Tim shares that he is co-authoring a book on maritime ITS, expected later this year. Learn More 🎧 Related episode: Episode 122: Data Infrastructure, Not Apps – with Ari Marjamaa of Raa Labs A complementary conversation on building the data layer required for system-wide coordination. Tune in Now Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more. Watch clips on YouTube. Support & Advertising If you've found value in this episode, please follow, share, and leave a 5-star review. 📣 Interested in advertising on The Last Dinosaur? Reach out to our friends at Digital Ship to learn more about sponsorship opportunities. Music by: Peg and The Rejected – "King of SKA" Art Work By: GA Design Produced by: Chris Aversano

See All (142)

About

Maritime Digital Evolution with Chris Aversano Dive deep into the maritime world's digital transformation with Chris Aversano, a seasoned maritime professional with three decades of experience both on shore and at sea. Recognizing that the maritime sector has been one of the last to fully embrace the digital age, Chris delves into the pivotal changes now underway. Join Chris as he engages with the trailblazers, innovators, investors, and thought leaders who are steering the maritime industry into the digital future. Whether you're a maritime enthusiast, a tech aficionado, or someone curious about both realms, this podcast promises insightful discussions and a fresh perspective on the maritime digital frontier. Tune in and embark on a journey to explore the digital waves reshaping the maritime world.

Information