Matthew Costello, Voyager Portal: Pivoting, AI and Building Maritime Tech That Actually Works

What happens when the original idea isn't the one that ultimately builds the business?

Matthew Costello, Founder and CEO of Voyager Portal, joins The Last Dinosaur to talk candidly about building a maritime technology company, the pivots that shaped Voyager, and why listening to customers sometimes means admitting you got it wrong.

Matthew and Chris discuss Voyager's move deeper into demurrage, rebuilding a product when the first approach didn't work, the growing role of AI, and why he believes this may be one of the best times yet to build a maritime technology company.

In this episode:

02:21 Matthew's path from Stolt Tankers to founding Voyager 06:09 Finding the original opportunity in maritime technology 12:46 Why Voyager pivoted deeper into demurrage 17:31 The customer feedback that led to a product rebuild 20:48 Balancing customer requests with innovation 26:47 AI, data architecture and rising customer expectations 32:25 The changing maritime investment landscape 35:35 Why the next wave of maritime startups may look very different 36:22 What Matthew is reading

This episode of The Last Dinosaur is sponsored by Digital Ship.

Digital Ship Summit Athens takes place on 15 October, bringing together maritime technology leaders, shipowners, operators and innovators for practical conversations around AI, cybersecurity, connectivity and digital transformation.

Stay salty. Stay curious.

Chris

Learn More: 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

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What does innovation look like from inside a traditional shipping company?

This week, we're heading back into the Vault for my conversation with Kenji Togasaki, Senior Vice President at IINO Lines.

Kenji brings a unique perspective. He spent years in chemical tanker chartering and corporate planning before moving into innovation. Today, IINO Lines is not only adopting new technology, but investing in the maritime innovation ecosystem through venture funds including TMV, The Dock and Motion Ventures.

We talk about why IINO took that approach, the challenge of bringing new technology into an established shipping company, and where Kenji sees some of the biggest opportunities ahead.

In this episode:

02:19 Kenji's journey from chemical tanker chartering to innovation 06:33 Why IINO began focusing on maritime technology 08:27 Investing in the maritime startup ecosystem 10:22 Decarbonization, autonomous shipping and digitalization 18:32 Getting a traditional organization to embrace new technology 24:01 Why collaboration matters in maritime innovation 27:24 Why shipping needs more hardware startups 30:21 Learning from innovation across the shipping industry 32:35 What Kenji is reading and watching

Originally released July 2025.

From the Vault revisits conversations from The Last Dinosaur archive that still have something important to say about where maritime is heading.

Stay salty. Stay curious.

Learn More: 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

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FROM THE VAULT #2: OSHER PERRY ON MARITIME AI, SHIP SAFETY & DIGITAL SHIPPING

How are AI and visual analytics changing ship safety and maritime operations?

Originally released in January 2023, this conversation with Osher Perry, founder and CEO of ShipIn Systems, explored maritime AI before it became quite the industry buzzword it is today.

We talk about using AI and visual analytics to give seafarers better tools, improve shipboard safety, connect ship and shore, and make vessel operations more efficient. We also get into crew acceptance of new technology, maritime tech investment, and why AI only matters if it solves a real operational problem.

Fast forward to 2026, and ShipIn has just raised $52 million to expand its AI platform. That makes this a pretty good time to pull this conversation from the vault.

Tune In Now: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube

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Originally Released: May 2023

Welcome to the first edition of The Last Dinosaur Vault, a special summer series revisiting conversations that have stood the test of time.

Originally recorded in May 2023, this conversation with Bill Dobie, Founder and CEO of SEDNA, explored one of shipping's biggest challenges: getting the right information to the right people at the right time.

Long before AI dominated industry conversations, Bill shared his perspective on communication, collaboration, and building digital workflows that enable better operational decisions. Listening back today, it's remarkable how relevant these ideas remain.

• Why communication is at the heart of digital transformation
• Building better workflows across maritime organizations
• Collaboration, information flow, and operational efficiency
• Why good technology starts with solving real business problems

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts.

Peg and The Rejected – King of SKA

GA Design

Chris Aversano

If you've enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a rating or review, and share it with a colleague. Your support helps more people discover these conversations.

Interested in sponsoring The Last Dinosaur? Reach out to our friends at Digital Ship to learn more about advertising opportunities.

Stay salty. Stay curious.

Chris

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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

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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

1. Bridging Ship and Shore: The disconnect between design, operations, and crews continues to create friction and opportunity
2. Commercial vs Defense Reality: Speed vs process and why commercial maritime moves faster than government-led innovation
3. Innovation is Owned by Risk-Takers: Progress happens when someone is willing to fund and trial new technology
4. Startups in Maritime: Execution under real-world constraints is far harder than building the idea
5. Autonomy vs Practical Automation: The industry may see more impact from incremental automation than full autonomy
6. The Translator Gap: Maritime needs more professionals who can connect technical, operational, and commercial perspectives
7. 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.