(Photo by Colin Watts on Unsplash) As you probably know, modern cruise ships have a complicated wastewater purification system and a larger number of older ships have installed a retrofitted one. Even though these systems include various different types of processes from mechanical separation to adding polymers, the most important process happens within the bioreactor. Its cleansing power is based on bacterial purification, in which a variety of different bacterial floras con

(Photo by Diego F. Parra from Pexels) During this spring large cruise ships were in the news headlines almost daily as vessels weren’t able to dock due to positive coronavirus cases. Being locked down without the possibility to dismebark passengers, the number of coronavirus infections started to rise. In the world we used to know, hopping on a cruise for a week or two was thought of as one of the safest ways to travel. Now that tables have turned and the need for winning cus

Maritim e convergenc Remember not so long ago, when the most compelling issues occupying the maritime industry were IMO 2020 compliance, emissions and then sustainability? Back then, sustainability only seemed like a problem for corporate communications and the compliance departments. Remote working? Business continued to be transacted mainly through brokers and at physical trade events - let someone else worry about things like the “transformation of the workforce.”  As for

Is micro-biotech is replacing acid therapy to enable sustainable onboard operations in shipping?

The ‘Captain going down with the ship’ is held up as a great tradition by mariners and land-lubbers alike. This tradition is in fact so ingrained in the psyche of society, that it is arguably almost the unquestioned expectation. Numerous movies have glamorised the valour shown by Captains, as the last person standing on the sinking ship, after evacuating all passengers and crew, or going down with the ship trying to do so. At one point, the Captain on the Ship while being hig

(Photo by Ibrahim Boran on Unsplash) In recent decades, every industry has tested different strategies and technologies to maximize operational efficiency. Mechanical and software-based solutions have pushed the boundaries of human possibility by making equipment, machinery, and engines not only tremendously efficient but also extremely safe. The arrival of machine learning and artificial intelligence has taken efficiency to a whole new level. Software platforms can now sugge

How the crude oil tanker sector is going to evolve when we emerge from the pandemic remains to be seen

The shipping industry is a well-oiled machinery for moving global trade. To understand its staggering size and impact, one must know what it's transportation market share is. It is estimated that roughly 90% of cargo around the planet is moved on ships. So significant is its contribution to the world, that many do not realise if the shipping industry were to stop suddenly, supermarkets shelves would be empty in 3 days. In comparison if one looks at aviation, air-cargo account

As technology evolves around us, we see more and more jobs are automated or certain jobs are delegated to smart machines or robots. This removes the human from the scene, although we have always found alternate work for ourselves or reinvent how we provide value. Despite popular sentiments, to most businesses, employees are mostly pure liability. If a company could operate without employees, it certainly would. Robots are ideal because once programmed they are: obedient and c

One hears repeatedly about the future of shipping in terms of future environmental regulations and stricter local laws, the spread of digitisation and innovative technology, unique designs and more efficient ships, etc. A combination of all these is expected to bring about disruption not just in the business of shipping but in our future way of life. However, these changes will not be possible without the oil that lubricates all of these gears. What is this super smooth enabl

Early in my career I was called into a meeting along with all other employees to be addressed by the new head of the company. He announced that he didn't know any of us, but he had this impression that we were all incompetent and had to improve or leave the company. Towards the end of his speech he challenged us to prove his assumptions about us to be wrong. It surprised me that someone who was meeting us for the first time and had limited understanding and appreciation of ou