Reflecting on a Lloyd’s List podcast, Synergy chief executive Jesper Kristensen discusses the seismic shifts occurring in the maritime sector, focusing on what defines effective leadership in an increasingly volatile global environment.
The New Maritime Leader
Kristensen emphasizes that the shipping industry is in an “extremely volatile” period, driven by global regulatory changes and trade fluctuations. This environment demands that leaders become rapid adapters, willing to accept that “tomorrow is most probably not going to be like yesterday.”
- Mindset for Shipmanagers: He notes that shipmanagers operate in a particularly competitive and challenging space, requiring leaders to recruit talent that is never “satisfied by things staying the same.”
- Future Profile: He predicts that a new wave of managers, many with a business-related education rather than a shipping-specific background (like himself), will enter the sector. He welcomes the fresh perspective these “outsiders” will bring, which he believes will compel the industry to look more critically at its conservative approach to operations and decision-making.
Navigating the Industry’s Journey
Viewing the industry’s overall trajectory not as having a final destination but as a continuous movement, Kristensen places ship managers squarely in the driving seat of this progress.
- Decarbonization Focus: The transition to lower emission energy options is identified as a critical waypoint. From a ship management perspective, he stresses the strategic importance of shifting focus from management fees to the total operating costs, arguing that efficiency improvements offer the best avenue for cost reduction.
- Challenged Consensus: He acknowledges a previous “broad consensus that the transition to zero-emission fuels must accelerate,” but questions whether this holds true now that US President Trump has opposed the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) climate initiative and issued threats against member states supporting it. This intervention highlights the risk of the industry’s direction being defined by external political forces.
The Role of Artificial Intelligence
The impact of technology is viewed as another significant external influence that must be managed through global cooperation.
- Internal Use: Kristensen explains that Synergy already uses AI to analyze data across its fleet, helping to support superintendents and improve overall services.
- Need for Standardization: For the broader application of the technology across the sector, he suggests that international standards should be developed to provide uniformity in its use.
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Source: Lloyd’s List
