A COMBINATION of rapidly evolving technologies are converging on shipping, challenging the traditional operating models of shipping, and with it, the role of class. It is no longer sufficient for a classification society to simply ensure that the technology works together the way that it is supposed to – they are simultaneously leading a rapid pace of innovation while balancing the complex questions of how to ensure safety, efficiency and regulatory compliance for an industry in flux.

In advance of his star turn next week at the Lloyd’s List Business Briefing in Posidonia, Lloyds Register’s head of Marine and Offshore Nick Brown joins us to discuss the shifting requirements of an industry dealing with disruption on several fronts.

Spoiler alert - for all the talk of accelerated digital change, Nick believes this is not an overnight transition and concurs with Lloyd’s List’s view that efficiency in shipping cannot be reduced to a single silver bullet of technology.

Also on this week’s podcast:

· Welcome to the GDPRty: Companies worldwide have been scrambling to prepare for the General Data Protection Regulation, enforced by the EU, and shipping, like everyone else, now faces much tougher rules on data privacy. Among the new rules, companies must reveal data breaches to regulators within 72 hours, tell users how their information is being used, and provide stored personal data to users on request. Joining us to discuss the implications for shipping companies this week is Philippe Ruttley, head of EU and competition law at the international law firm Ince and Co.

· We are also joined once again by Lloyd’s List’s very own law and insurance expert, David Osler who explains why the discovery of three bags of cocaine strapped to the hull of a ship in 2007 has finally resulted in an important ruling from the Supreme court that has implications for the rest of the industry.

For those of you asking when we will be available on iTunes, the wait is nearly over – details to follow in next week’s edition. In the meantime, all feedback and story suggestions are welcome and should be directed to [email protected]