The Wavemakers Podcast

Season 3 | Episode with Maria Skipper Schwenn 

In this episode of The Wavemakers Podcast, I sit down with Maria Skipper Schwenn, Director of Environmental Regulatory & Public Affairs at Bunker Holding and a long-time advocate for maritime decarbonization, regulation, and collaboration.

Maria has spent over 13 years shaping climate, environmental, and safety policies—representing Danish shipowners, working at the IMO, and serving on multiple boards driving the green shipping transition. Beyond her professional achievements, she is also a proud mother of six, a strong voice for women supporting women, and a believer in the power of collaboration.

We explore:
⚓️ How Maria unexpectedly entered the world of shipping
⚓️ Her role in pivotal IMO moments, from the EEDI adoption to global decarbonization strategies
⚓️ Powerful stories from ship recycling in India to migrant rescues in the Mediterranean
⚓️ How shipping culture is changing with digitalization, new generations of leaders, and more women entering the industry
⚓️ Leadership lessons: balancing toughness with empathy, and believing in yourself even when the going gets tough
⚓️ Maria’s vision for the shipping sector in 2040—and her personal hopes for the future

This is an inspiring conversation about resilience, purpose, and driving impact in one of the world’s most vital industries!

🔔 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more stories at the intersection of maritime decarbonization and digital transformation.

#Shipping #Decarbonization #Leadership #maritime

Subscribe to our channel and be the first to join future coffee conversations with the maritime change makers!

🔗 Related Resources and Links:
 • Follow Gordana Ilic on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gordanailicphd/
 • Follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BetterSea

📩 Have questions or comments? Feel free to reach out via email at [email protected] 

In this special panel discussion moderated by Gordana Ilic (Co-CEO, BetterSea), we bring together three industry leaders to unpack the fast-evolving regulatory landscape shaping maritime decarbonization:

- Shaja Mathew – Senior Operations Director, Bernhard Schulte Management
- Anil Jacob – Managing Director, Oceanopt
- Maximillian Schoer  – Co-CEO, BetterSea

Together, we reflect on the impact of EU ETS, the upcoming FuelEU Maritime regulation, and the anticipated IMO Net Zero Framework!

Key themes we explore:
- The operational realities of EU ETS compliance in its first year;
- How regulations are fostering collaboration and data transparency between owners, managers, and charters;
- The role of high-quality data in shaping compliance, strategy, and long-term investments;
- Contractual and legal challenges under FuelEU — and what ship managers and owenrs need to know;
- Lessons learned so far, and how companies can prepare for the wave of upcoming regulations

This candid conversation dives deep into the intersection of compliance, cost, and change, offering valuable insights for shipowners, managers, charterers, and anyone navigating maritime’s regulatory future.

Subscribe to our channel and be the first to join future coffee conversations with the maritime change makers!

🔗 Related Resources and Links:
 • Follow Gordana Ilic on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gordanailicphd/
 • Follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BetterSea

📩 Have questions or comments? Feel free to reach out via email at [email protected] 

In this episode of The Wavemakers Podcast, we sit down with Sarah Haidar—a dynamic maritime leader with over 20 years of experience in port operations, terminal management, and digital transformation.

From running terminals in Beirut to developing IT strategies for NEOM, Sarah shares what it takes to lead in a traditionally male-dominated industry while raising a family, mentoring women, and advocating for digital innovation.

🔍 We explore:
- How a finance graduate ended up running ports
- The emotional and operational realities of 24/7 terminal work
- Juggling leadership, motherhood, and midnight crane calls
- The rise of smart ports, AI, and digital transformation in maritime
- Why women need support systems—not just strength—to thrive
- The role of WISTA and what they're building for the next generation

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like behind the port gates—or how to thrive as a leader balancing resilience, tech, and teamwork—this one’s for you.

🎧 Listen in and join us in celebrating the women moving the maritime world forward.

#TheWavemakersPodcast  #SmartPorts #MaritimeWomen #WISTA #Leadership #PortOperations #DigitalTransformation #WorkLifeBalance #ShippingIndustry #TerminalManagement

Subscribe to our channel and be the first to join future coffee conversations with the maritime change makers!

🔗 Related Resources and Links:
 • Follow Gordana Ilic on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gordanailicphd/
 • Follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BetterSea

📩 Have questions or comments? Feel free to reach out via email at [email protected] 

In this episode of The Wavemakers Podcast, we sit down with Yasovardhan
Chinni (YC). YC grew up in a small Indian town and in pursuit of financial stability chose a non-traditional path into shipping. From marine engineering to life on board the vessel, YC turned his seafaring experience into a full-fledged maritime business portfolio. From the engine room to the boardroom and asset ownership, YC shares his inspiring story of resilience, calculated risk-taking, and building YC Ventures—an ecosystem supporting maritime innovation.

🚢 Whether you're in shipping, building a startup, or just looking for career inspiration—this episode offers raw insight and practical wisdom.

🔗 Find out more about YC Ventures: https://ycventure.us/

Subscribe to our channel and be the first to join future coffee conversations with the maritime change makers!

🔗 Related Resources and Links:
 • Follow Gordana Ilic on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gordanailicphd/
 • Follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BetterSea

📩 Have questions or comments? Feel free to reach out via email at [email protected] 

In this episode of The Wavemakers Podcast, we sit down with RK Sethi – marine engineer, restaurateur, startup mentor, CEO at SEAKNOTIQ Ship management and Group COO at YC Ventures – to explore the personal journey behind a multi-faceted career in maritime, technology, and entrepreneurship.

From his first days aboard a vessel to launching a restaurant in Singapore, leading shipping operations in Nigeria, and now investing in the next generation of maritime startups, RK shares lessons on navigating challenges, embracing change, and staying true to passion and purpose.

We talk about:
- The mindset that helped him pivot across industries
- Why operational excellence beats having the “perfect idea”
- His views on decarbonization, automation, and maritime tech trends
- Supporting women in the maritime sector
- And… his 100-piece timepiece collection 🕰️

If you’re passionate about innovation, leadership, or exploring the fascinating world of maritime and its people — this episode is for you!

📌 Connect with RK Sethi and YC Ventures: 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rks15/
https://ycventure.us/

Subscribe to our channel and be the first to join future coffee conversations with the maritime change makers!

🔗 Related Resources and Links:
 • Follow Gordana Ilic on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gordanailicphd/
 • Follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BetterSea

📩 Have questions or comments? Feel free to reach out via email at [email protected] 

In this episode of The Wavemakers Podcast, we meet Piotr Konopka, Vice President at DP World, who took an unexpected yet inspiring journey from designing motorsport vehicles to leading global decarbonization efforts in maritime logistics.

🎯 From automotive engineering and hybrid race cars at Toyota's Motorsport Division, to now helping a company that moves 10% of the world's cargo decarbonize, Piotr’s story is one of curiosity, agility, and global impact.

We talk about:

What sparked his shift from speed to sustainability
The parallels between building a decarbonization strategy and launching a startup
Why his ultimate goal is to make his job in sustainability obsolete by 2050
The importance of regulation, resilience, and rapid decisions
How his entrepreneurial experience shaped his corporate innovation mindset
His personal reflections on balance, networking, and saying no with clarity
And of course:
🛳️ If Piotr were a vessel, which would he be? You’ll hear his answer (and it’s a good one).

Whether you're in shipping, energy, innovation, or simply love hearing about how meaningful careers are shaped, this episode will leave you inspired.

🎧 Listen now and don’t forget to like and share if this conversation moved you.

Subscribe to our channel and be the first to join future coffee conversations with the maritime change makers!

🔗 Related Resources and Links:
 • Follow Gordana Ilic on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gordanailicphd/
 • Follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BetterSea

📩 Have questions or comments? Feel free to reach out via email at [email protected] 

In this episode of The Wavemakers Podcast, we sit down with Claudia Beumer, a leader in maritime decarbonization who transitioned from corporate commercial roles to founding her own environmetal consultancy company, C4 Fuels. With a background in chemical engineering, Claudia's journey into shipping, alternative fuels, and sustainability was unexpected but transformative.

💡 Topics Covered:

How diving and a career pivot led Claudia into the maritime industry
The unique culture of shipping and why people either stay forever or leave fast
The power of relationships and networking in a global industry
Lessons from 15 years in maritime and what makes the industry special
The challenge of moving fast while bringing people along in digitalization & decarbonization
Why she took the leap into entrepreneurship and what she learned in her first year
How diversity and inclusion have always been part of maritime but need better visibility
Her thoughts on alternative fuels like ammonia, LNG, and biofuels
The future of shipping in 2050 and the importance of smart digital solutions
 If Claudia was a ship, what kind of ship would she be? Find out in this episode!

Tune in now for insights into maritime innovation, leadership, and the future of fuels—and don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe!

📌 Follow for more updates:
🌐 Website: www.bettersea.tech
📩 Connect with us: [email protected]

#MaritimeIndustry #Shipping #GreenFuels #Decarbonization #Leadership #Digitalization #wavemakerspodcast 

Subscribe to our channel and be the first to join future coffee conversations with the maritime change makers!

🔗 Related Resources and Links:
 • Follow Gordana Ilic on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gordanailicphd/
 • Follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BetterSea

📩 Have questions or comments? Feel free to reach out via email at [email protected] 

In this episode of The Wavemakers Podcast, we dive into the fascinating career of Gary Hubbard, a seasoned logistics leader who transitioned from directing major global supply chains to driving the adoption of green fuels in maritime. With experience spanning continents, cultures, and industries, Gary shares how his journey through P&O Nedlloyd, Maersk, DHL, and beyond shaped his perspective on supply chains, sustainability, and the future of shipping.

🌍 From his unexpected first assignment in China to his deep involvement in decarbonization efforts in the Middle East, Gary reflects on the evolution of global trade, the need for resilient logistics, and why the maritime industry is slow—but inevitable—in its transition to cleaner energy. We also explore the role of culture in shaping industry mindsets, the challenges of FuelEU compliance, and what fuels (literally and figuratively) the next wave of change.

🏝️ On a lighter note, we uncover Gary’s ultimate retirement dream (spoiler: it involves jet skis and a beach) and his take on why embracing change is the key to success.

If you're interested in the future of maritime logistics, sustainable fuels, and how global experiences shape leadership, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!

🎧 Tune in now and don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe!

📌 Follow for more updates:
🌐 Website: www.bettersea.tech
📩 Contact for suggestions and collaborations: [email protected]
🔗 Connect with Gary Hubbard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-hubbard
🔗 Connect with Gordana: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gordanailicphd/

Subscribe to our channel and be the first to join future coffee conversations with the maritime change makers!

🔗 Related Resources and Links:
 • Follow Gordana Ilic on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gordanailicphd/
 • Follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BetterSea

📩 Have questions or comments? Feel free to reach out via email at [email protected] 

In this episode of The Wavemakers Podcast, Gordana sits down with Captain Mohit Betra, a true catalyst in the maritime industry. 

From his early days at sea, influenced by a family of sailors, to driving digital transformation, Captain Mohit shares his unique perspective on the evolution of shipping in the past decades. They dive into the challenges and opportunities of digitalization, the rise of AI and automation, and the growing need for smart data over data overload in maritime operations. He also reflects on the industry's slow but steady adaptation to decarbonization, the importance of safety in an era of alternative fuels, and how shifting regulations impact seafarers.

 Follow Capt Mohit Batra on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/captmohitbatra/

Subscribe to our channel and be the first to join future coffee conversations with the maritime change makers!

🔗 Related Resources and Links:
 • Follow Gordana Ilic on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gordanailicphd/
 • Follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BetterSea

📩 Have questions or comments? Feel free to reach out via email at [email protected] 

In this episode of The Wavemakers Podcast, host Gordana sits down with Mahsa from ESG Ports, a company at the cutting edge of sustainability in the maritime industry. ESG Ports is tackling the climate crisis by converting waste cooking oil into biofuel, leveraging blockchain transparency, and building a decentralized ecosystem to ensure ESG compliance.

Mahsa shares her unexpected journey from tech into sustainability, discussing how her background in Computer Engineering, Blockchain, and AI led her to a startup that is redefining the maritime sector’s approach to decarbonization. 

If you’re interested in maritime sustainability, blockchain for impact, or the future of ESG compliance, this conversation is packed with insights and inspiration.

Show Highlights & Key Takeaways:

🌱 From Tech to Climate Tech: How Mahsa transitioned from blockchain development to sustainability entrepreneurship.
🔗 Blockchain for ESG Transparency: How ESG Ports tracks and verifies carbon reduction efforts with smart contracts.
♻️ Circular Economy in Action: Why on-site biofuel production is a game-changer for waste reduction.
🏛️ Collaborating with Governments & Industry: How ESG Ports works alongside policymakers to drive sustainable change.
🔥 Women in Climate Tech: Mahsa’s message for young women entering the sustainability and technology space.
🚀 Future of Biofuels & ESG by 2030: How shipping and aviation will evolve with alternative fuels and data-driven ESG strategies.

Subscribe to our channel and be the first to join future coffee conversations with the maritime change makers!

🔗 Related Resources and Links:
 • Follow Gordana Ilic on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gordanailicphd/
 • Follow us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BetterSea

📩 Have questions or comments? Feel free to reach out via email at [email protected]