Over two powerful days, industry leaders, maritime professionals, and changemakers came together to explore the future of shipping through the lens of people, culture, innovation, and sustainability. Here’s a full roundup of the sessions that shaped this year’s event.
Global Shipping Market: Disruption, Risks & Opportunities
Kicking off with a deep dive into market conditions was Steve Gordon from Clarksons Research. This session unpacked the current global dynamics shaping trade. With 12.6 billion tonnes of cargo moved and over 110,000 ships in operation, the scale is immense. But the industry faces serious questions—like whether globalisation is evolving or ending. Port infrastructure is lagging, green investment is limited, and less than 250 ports globally are equipped with shore-side power.
Seaborne Trade: Growth, Complexity, Disruption, Uncertainty
Shipping has proven resilient in the face of COVID, geopolitical conflicts, and climate pressure. Yet, rising complexity is challenging traditional models. With demand outpacing growth, fuel transitions, tariff uncertainty, ageing fleets, and inflationary shipbuilding costs, the industry must adapt fast—especially with decarbonisation deadlines looming.
Fran, CEO at Red Funnel shared her personal path from cadetship to leadership, reflecting on the challenges faced as a woman in maritime. She stressed the importance of authentic leadership, strong coaching relationships, and value-driven teams. From engine rooms to executive roles, her message was clear: presence, empathy, and adaptability shape effective leaders.
Speakers John Chudley from MLA College, Gemma Griffin from DFDS & Kathryn Neilson from MNTB, tackled the pressing need to revitalise the industry’s talent pipeline. Maritime careers must be sold on their adventure, innovation, and impact—not just tradition. A personalised learning approach and early engagement (even at age 17) were highlighted, along with the critical role of company culture in long-term retention.
Heidi Watson (Clyde & Co), Gautier Busschaert (Van Olmen & Wynant), and Thomas Choo (Clyde & Co Singapore) broke down the incoming EU directive on pay transparency. While it’s not yet law, its impact will be significant. Companies must prepare now—by benchmarking, documenting pay criteria, and avoiding discriminatory practices. It’s not just about gender pay gaps; the directive could redefine how fairness is legislated globally.
Jo Tincey and Daniel Taylor from t-three explored belonging and psychological safety. The message: diversity means little without inclusion. To build truly safe environments, leaders must ask themselves:
🔹 Are people psychologically safe?
🔹 Do my team feel like they belong?
Belonging isn’t built on box-ticking but on curiosity, courage, and listening.
Njsane Courtney, VP of HR at ABS delivered a compelling case for compassionate leadership. Real leadership, he argued, balances support and accountability and appeals to our emotional brains. Empathy drives engagement—and neuroscience backs it. When leaders lead with their why, they build trust and loyalty, even in turbulent times.
With technologies evolving fast, maritime training must keep up. Erle Kristin Wagle from Mintra emphasised the need for upskilling through digital learning and scenario-based practice to close growing gaps in competency and confidence—especially in a disrupted, decarbonising industry.
A poignant session that began with a real-life story of harassment at sea, this panel highlighted the urgent need for trust, respect, and cultural change onboard. It’s not just about compliance—it’s about human dignity, leadership training, and a culture of openness and accountability. Panellists: Erle Kristin Wagle (Mintra), Fran Collins (Red Funnel), Connor Hunter (Securewest International) and Eva Rodriguez (Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement)
This session from Mark Williams at Shipping Strategy focused on the environmental side of ESG, outlining five solution areas for shipping to transition to net-zero fuels by 2050. From LNG to wind power, solar panels to policy shifts, the consensus was clear: decarbonisation is achievable—but only with industry-wide commitment and innovation.
ABS’ Chuck Kemper and Jennifer Harrison’s session championed competence over qualifications. With immersive simulation-based training, employees can safely gain practical experience, improve decision-making, and build confidence—all critical to preventing workplace tragedies and preparing the next generation of seafarers.
What does fresh food have to do with retention? Maayan Castel from Agwa asks. Everything. AI-driven hydroponic systems onboard can provide fresh vegetables, improving nutrition, morale, and wellbeing—while reducing waste and supporting sustainability goals. One Maersk captain shared, “Morale onboard improved instantly.”
Representing Gen Z in maritime, this panel shared honest, powerful stories. From exclusion to empowerment, they reminded us that young professionals want purpose, mentorship, trust, and flexibility. If the industry hopes to thrive, it must evolve to engage this generation—on their terms.
In a practical case study from John Wood from China LNG and Raal Harris from Ocean Technologies Group, speakers detailed how they’ve restructured cadet programmes to focus on experience, mindset, and cross-training, supported by psychometric testing to build balanced, high-performing teams.
A lively and laughter-filled session on cross-cultural communication. Pellegrino Ricciardi emphasised that all behaviour stems from positive intent—and culture is best navigated with curiosity, bravery, and psychological safety. His three big questions for any company culture:
With seafarer retention a growing issue, Gro Wickstrom (Crew Manager, Sea1 Offshore) urged leaders to build deeper connections with crew. Her message: when people feel supported, connected, and even loved, they perform better and stay longer. True leadership is professional and personal.
A fun and fiery closing session from Phil Parry and Tim Browne, where we binned tired workplace habits. Out went overblown job titles, dismissive phrases (“Yes, but you have to understand…”), and using “resilience” as a mask for structural issues. The point? Culture change starts with calling things out—and doing things differently.
From macro trends and decarbonisation to micro moments of inclusion and empathy, this year’s conference was a call to action:
💬 Listen more.
💡 Lead with purpose.
🌍 Build a sustainable, inclusive future—together.
Thank you to our speakers, delegates, sponsors, exhibitors, and partners for making the Maritime People and Culture Conference 2025 an inspiring success.