Full Ahead - the podcast about ships and shipping

Nigel Thompson
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We're an island nation. Our maritime industry employs over half a million people yet how much do we actually know about it? In this series we'll hear from members of the maritime team at sea and on land as we shed light on an industry many take for granted. With top level experience in shipping Alistair Eagles knows a thing or two about the industry while journalist Nigel Thompson has been close to the coast for most of his life. It's an entertaining look that reveals some surprising facts about a fast-changing sector. 🌍 Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

  1. 3D AGO

    Full Ahead ep 12 Richard Ballantyne OBE, Chief Executive of the British Ports Association

    Welcome from Alistair and Nigel to the February edition of The Full Ahead Podcast! As well as getting out to meet people from all walks of life we look forward to spending time with some the maritime industry's movers and shakers . Richard Ballantyne OBE is Chief Executive of the BritishPorts Association, the national membership body for over 400 ports, harbours and other marine facilities in the UK. From energy hubs to passenger terminals,fishing ports to those handling leisure craft, the BPA’s members account for86% of all UK port tonnage. With at least 125,000 people working in port operations it’sa major industry and one that’s undergoing change. The aftermath of Brexit, efforts to become more sustainable plus recruitment and influencing UK government policy and international committees are among a long list of issues that the BPA is involved in. Richard joined the association in 2007 before becoming ChiefExecutive in 2016 and as a Director of Maritime UK, a Trustee of the Merchant Navy Welfare Board charity and former Director of Port Skills and Safety Ltd, we were delighted to talk to him. In this episode we discuss: 1.     An introduction to the work of the BPA 2.     How to be heard; raising the awareness of theindustry in the minds of those whose decision directly affect it. 3.     Is it getting harder for smaller ports? Are thebigger ports then just going to get bigger? 4. How does he view the health of UK ports at themoment? 5.   Who should pay for new infrastructure at ports?(A recurring theme at the Shipping Ferry Summit series recorded in Malmo.) 6.  Shore power and how it may develop. 7.  The challenges of recruitment and theopportunities on offer in ports around the UK. 8. The legacy of Brexit, specifically the new port property built to enable smooth trade which is not in use, and how discussions are continuingto see how it could be used in the future. 9.   The future! Thanks to Richard for talking to The Full Ahead Podcast. Subscribe now to hear the next edition first and if you would like to sponsor an edition, get in touch! And between episodes we are active on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

    38 min

  2. JAN 25

    Full Ahead ep 11 A life at sea

    When we started this podcast we said we were keen to share the stories of people working in the maritime industry and this edition does just that. There can't be many people who've worked at sea for over five decades and enjoyed the variety of roles as our guest this month has. Tony Cowell went to see when he was just 3! A Fleetwood fisherman for many years, he followed his father and grandfather into the challenging trade. Injury forced him to look for another role and for 21 years he was captain of the vital ferry service linking the Lancashire port with Knott End. A former coxswain of Fleetwood lifeboat, Tony might have hung up his ferry captain's hat but he remains chair of the RNLI in Fleetwood. In this feature length edition as well as hearing from Tony Alistair and Nigel horizon scan to take a look at some of the stories making the maritime news. And we've more words from a nautical background that are now in everyday use. If you'd like to suggest a guest or would be interested in sponsoring an episode, get in touch - we'd love to hear from you! Enjoy the podcast.

    51 min

  3. 12/23/2025

    Full Ahead Ep 10 Coastguard SOS

    If you live in the UK and are in need of a TV entertainment suggestion for the festive season why not try Coastguard: Search and Rescue SOS a hit Channel 5 documentary series? The documentary follows first-hand the lifesaving work carried out across the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) from rescues way out in the Atlantic to cliff-top recoveries. Stories are told from the perspective of helicopter crews and investigators to surveyors and counter pollution officers, and include collisions, daring sea saves, and maritime emergencies filmed across the UK's varied sea areas and coastlines. One of the people who film and produce the series is journalist Andy Smythe. He's been telling Alistair and Nigel more about the variety of work he and the production team witnessed. If you're enjoying the podcast follow us to be sure of hearing our shows first in 2026. Check out our Facebook, Instagram, Youtube and LinkedIn pages too! Show notes: To watch all episodes

    34 min

  4. 12/17/2025

    Full Ahead Ep 9 Ports, big and small

    We're back in the UK after our trip to the Ferry Shipping Summit in Sweden (enjoy five episodes from there!) and for this episode of the podcast we hear from from two very different ports. While we were in Malmo we spoke to Andrew Williamson, the Head of Cruise and Ferry at Portsmouth International Port. Next year the port marks its 50th birthday and is very much part of the community in an area that has long standing links with the maritime world. He tells us how Portsmouth is developing and offers an insight into how they invest and innovate for the future. In this edition we also meet Matthew Burdekin who is deputy harbour master at the Port of Lancaster in Lancashire. A port since 1750, as Matthew tells us, it's ideally positioned to cater for a wide range of loads. Thanks to both Andrew and Matthew for talking to the podcast. Show notes: Setting the scene with Alistair and Nigel 3 mins Andrew Williamson tells us how Portsmouth has developed as a ferry hub. 4 minutes Ports or ferry companies; who takes the risk? 5 minutes Who owns the port of Portsmouth? 7 minutes How to spread the word about opportunities within the industry? 8 minutes To the Port of Lancaster where we meet Matthew Burdekin, deputy harbour master, for a look back at the history of a port that's existed since 1750! 15 minutes Onto West Quay to hear more about Lancaster's hopes for the future. 19 minutes How ships arrive at this riverside, tidal port. 22 minutes We summarise our visit and look ahead to the next episode of the Full Ahead podcast.

    25 min

  5. 11/21/2025

    The Full Ahead Podcast at the Ferry Shipping Summit 2025 Episode 5

    At this year’s Ferry Shipping Summit in Malmo the theme was ‘Cutting-Edge Ferries Future Ready Ports' and in this final, bumper episode recorded in Sweden we look to the future. One of the recurring themes was ‘digital’ while Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how it can be adopted to smooth the journey for freight and passengers was another common discussion point. In this episode we hear from Henrik Lindqvist of Orbyt Global AB, Kadri Haufe of Nortal and Maddy Bosch of Brock Solutions who explain how tech is making transport smoother. Anders Orgard of OSK Design talks about the future of ferry design and construction. With next year's summit to be held in Greece we also hear the views of the CEO's of Patras and Kavala ports, Panagiotis Anastasopoulos and Dr Angelos Vlachos. And how an interest in Irish Sea ferry operations led Gary Andrews to a career in shipping. Our thanks to the organisers of the Ferry Shipping Summit for enabling us to attend. We hope you enjoy the podcast and if you would like to hear more stories of ships and shipping and would be interested in sponsoring an episode or short series in 2026, get in touch.Show notes: ⁠2025 summit downloads⁠ ⁠2026 Shipping Ferry Summit details⁠ Podcast contents: 1-4 minutes setting the scene 4-10 minutes Henriq Blomquist of Orbyt Global who specialise in maritime connectivity and navigation talks about developments aboard ships now and the future.  10-15 minutes Canadian based Brock Consulting are already working in Europe as Maddy Bosch told us: 15-20 minutes In Tallin the port there has already adopted new ways of working as Kadri Haufe of Nortal explains.  23 - 34 minutes ship designers like Anders Ogard of OSK Design are keeping a close eye on developments onshore to make sure the ferries of the future offer exactly what passengers and crew need. 34-43 minutes Gary Andrews of DFDS has been a lifelong ferry supporter. How does he view the future? 44-50 minutes the CEO's of Kavala and Patras ports Dr Angelos Vlachos and Panagiotis Anastasopoulos share their views on collaborations with ferry operators and hopes for the future.

    56 min

  6. 11/20/2025

    The Full Ahead Podcast at the Ferry Shipping Summit 2025 Episode 4

    This year’s Ferry Shipping Summit in Malmo brought together a diverse range of ferry and port operators from across Europe. Eight executives responsible for some of the biggest ferry companies around gave their thoughts on the industry, its challenges and opportunities. In episode 1 of this series we heard the view of the man in charge of Brittany Ferries in the English Channel market but in this podcast we’ll hear the views from northern and southern Europe. Brian Thorsted of Fjord Lines in Norway and Juan Pablo Molina of Balearia offer their insight into two very different markets. Brian tells us how he's confident for the coming years while Juan Pablo explains why Balearia's fleet is set to grow with three additional ships joining an existing fleet of 35. And we hear how the Port of Kiel has undergone a transformation to make it among the most green in Europe. We hope you enjoy the podcast and if you would like to hear more stories of ships and shipping and would be interested in sponsoring an episode or short series in 2026, get in touch. Show notes: ⁠2025 summit downloads⁠ ⁠2026 Shipping Ferry Summit details⁠ Podcast contents: 1-3 minutes setting the scene with Nigel and Alistair 3-9 minutes We meet Brian Thorsted CEO of ⁠Fjord Lines⁠10-16 minutes Hear from Juan Pablo Molina Technical Director for Balearia. 17-23 minutes The Port of Kiel received the summit's Port of the Year award. Lisa Serodnik Kiel’s environmental manager told us more about their transition to a port now able to offer electrical power to four ferries and three cruise ships at once.

    24 min

  7. 11/19/2025

    The Full Ahead Podcast at the Ferry Shipping Summit 2025 Episode 3

    Although the Ferry Shipping Summit took place in Malmo we were delighted to be able to see another Swedish port at work. Ystad is the country's southernmost port with links to the Danish island of Bornholm and Świnoujście in Poland. In this edition we hear from the man who is aiming to continue the development of this medium sized port by encouraging more freight and passenger traffic through it. We also got an 'access all areas tour' of PolFerries latest Ro Pax vessel Varsovia, met the captain and company CEO as well as the designer who we learned was the same one behind Stena's new arrival on the Irish Sea. And as we continue to shine a spotlight on the variety of jobs in the maritime world we learned what a ship broker does. We hope you enjoy the podcast and if you would like to hear more stories of ships and shipping and would be interested in sponsoring an episode or short series in 2026, get in touch.Show notes: 2025 summit downloads 2026 Shipping Ferry Summit details Podcast contents: 1-3 minutes setting the scene 3-7 minutes We meet Bjorn Bostrum port director at Ystad 8-15 minutes  Chief Executive of Polish Baltic Shipping Company Piotr Redmerski 16-21 minutes Roberto Prever from NAOS Ship and Boat Design on board the Varsovia, the ship he designed 21-25 minutes We tour the Varsovia. 26-30 minutes The life and times of a ship broker, Olof Berndtsson shares his story. 30-32 minutes Looking ahead to episode 4.

    37 min

  8. 11/18/2025

    The Full Ahead Podcast at the Ferry Shipping Summit 2025 Episode 2

    In the second of our series recorded in Sweden Alistair Eagles and Nigel Thompson look at an issue that affects the whole shipping industry - recruitment. It’s still the case that the image of the industry remains ‘male, pale and stale.’ That’s what Alistair said during his speech at the Ferry Shipping Summit 2025 in Malmo and not only lived to tell the tale but there were more than just a few murmurs of agreement! In this second episode recorded at the summit, we hear from some of those who are looking to make a career in the industry. From students to graduate trainees, we met a number who are on the first rung and heard how they got there and what they hope to achieve in the future. Produced by Nigel Thompson. Show notes: 2025 summit downloads Details of Ferry Shipping Summit 2026 Details of maritime careers in the UK Podcast contents: 1-3 minutes setting the scene 3-7 minutes We meet Mohammad, a recent graduate from the World Maritime University in Malmo 9-15 minutes DFDS graduate trainees Pavlina and Andrea tell their stories. 16-18 minutes Ebba Martensson from IT company Surikat talks about her experience in industry so far.

    18 min
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About

We're an island nation. Our maritime industry employs over half a million people yet how much do we actually know about it? In this series we'll hear from members of the maritime team at sea and on land as we shed light on an industry many take for granted. With top level experience in shipping Alistair Eagles knows a thing or two about the industry while journalist Nigel Thompson has been close to the coast for most of his life. It's an entertaining look that reveals some surprising facts about a fast-changing sector. 🌍 Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

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