The Wavemakers Podcast
Stories of the people shaping the change to green shipping, at the intersection of maritime, tech and decarbonisation. Maritime industry is undergoing rapid change, new fuels and technologies often take the limelight, but we believe the key to success of every innovation are people. The Wavemakers Podcast aims to shine the light to those at the frontline - the chamions, innovators, 'status quo challengers', innovation and community catalysts, or simply being the first impacted by the change. How does it feel to drive and pioneer change? What are the puzzle pieces of their story that drive their leadership? These are the questions that the podcast aims to answer as we get to know the maritime leaders over a coffee chat and beyond their professional titles. Join us on this voyage! The Podcast is hosted by Gordana Ilic, a co-founder of BetterSea and a former Head of Decarbonisation Portfolio Management at A.P. Moller - Maersk.
Episodes
In this episode of BetterSea Industry Panel Talks, we hosted experts from across maritime compliance, future fuels, energy and risk to discuss how shipping companies can make better decisions in an increasingly uncertain regulatory and commercial environment.
Featuring:
Chris To, S&P Global Platts
Joey Ng, Braemar
Tue Raguse (formerly Nielsen), Ofiniti
Moderated by:
Dr. Gordana Ilic, BetterSea
T...
What does it take to build a maritime company from nothing, at just 24 years old?!
In this episode of The Wavemakers Podcast, Gordana interviews Antonina Polovenko, founder of Aquamarine Shipping, who shares her incredible entrepreneurial journey.
After being fired from her job as a crew manager in Ukraine, Antonina made a bold decision: she would never work for someone else again. With limited money, no industry conn...
In this episode of The Wavemakers Podcast, we talk with Barry Authers, a digital leader at the intersection of maritime digitalisation and decarbonisation and a Head of Partnerships at Veracity by DNV.
Barry’s journey from onshore energy and software engineering into global shipping offers a unique perspective on:
- Why regulation accelerates innovation
- The importance of data standards and trust
- How digital platforms enable dec...
In this episode of The Wavemakers Podcast, we sit down with Amel Rigneau, innovation leader, entrepreneur, and ecosystem builder, to unpack what really makes innovation work in maritime and beyond!
From her early career in consulting and entrepreneurship, to orchestrating open innovation in global shipping, Amel shares why innovation so often fails—not because of technology, but because of people, culture, and mi...
Chandni Jaga, Senior Investment Associate at Plug and Play Tech Center, shares her beginings, how growing up in 9 countries shaped her view of the world, how she evaluates early-stage startups and what it takes to scale innovation in shipping: from corporate pilots and monetization strategy to where AI can (and can’t) move the needle in maritime operations. We also dig into regulation as a catalyst for change and why Singapor...
What if the real driver of maritime digital transformation isn’t technology – but relationships?
In this episode of The Wavemakers Podcast, Gordana sits down with Giftson Eliyesar, Director of Commercial Operations at Veson Nautical, to explore the deeply human side of changing one of the world’s most complex and traditional industries.
Giftson shares his journey from computer science and ice cream logistics in Sing...
This episode of The Wavemakers Podcast features Emily Dove, Regional Sales Manager for ASEAN and Middle East at TECO Chemicals and one of the Top 100 Women in Shipping.
Emily talkes about her shift from UK-based PR roles to senior commercial and sales positions in maritime, culminating in her latest vibrant presence in Singapore. Hear all about her brave pivots that brought her to shipping, adapting to Singaporean business cul...
In this episode of The Wavemakers Podcast, Anil Jacob (Managing Director of OceanOpt and Head of Fleet Performance at BSM) shares his remarkable journey from sailing tankers to shaping the future of maritime decarbonization.
Anil discusses how first-hand experience at sea shaped his understanding of safety, commercial pressures, and subsequently - leadership. He reflects on building teams that embrace change, driving digitalization ...
In this episode of The Wavemakers Podcast, we unpack Chris Chatterton’s journey from traditional energy to renewables, his decade at the Methanol Institute, and how he’s now shaping the future of alternative fuels and carbon insets in his current roles.
Chris shares:
- The untold story of early decarbonization struggles
- Why methanol and ethanol could be the future of clean shipping
- How to build resilience through constant...
In this episode of The Wavemakers Podcast, Dr. Sanjay C. Kuttan — former CTO & CSO of the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) — reflects on a 33-year journey spanning science, oil & gas, policy, and innovation. He shares lessons on authenticity, faith, and leadership, revealing how staying true to yourself and embracing change can shape entire industries.
A conversation about courage, reflection, an...
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, worki...
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 im...
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 inno...
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 re...
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 i...
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 ...
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 piv...
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, an...
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...
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, discus...
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