V.Group is one of a handful of ship management firms that have been spearheading a significant revamp of the shipping industry.

Ship managers are the companies hired by shipowners to operate and manage their vessels and fleets while they focus on

other things - like making money.

While it is an incredibly fragmented industry, the trend for shipowners to sell off or outsource their ship management divisions to third party managers is a growing trend.

Meanwhile acquisitions, mergers, and an expansion of service offerings are common.

Third party ship managers are also hugely in favour of digitalisation and the use of AI in operations.

And this is why TradeWinds Craig Eason spoke to V.Group CEO Rene Kofod-Olsen.

V.Group just bought a technology consultancy, Njord, off or Maersk Tankers that helps shipowners make decarbonisation investment decisions.  

V.Group has also built its own AI and digitalisation tools.

Kofod-Olsen is also outspoken about modern ship management getting more value for its role, and the opportunity to enhance seafarers by empowering them with technology, not replacing them with it.

It's a fascinating interview.

A TradeWinds/DN Media Podcast.

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