The Technical Hot Seat with Janne

Lower build costs, more cargo space and less risk of oil pollution – so why does nobody want to be the first to eliminate the traditional sterntube? In this episode, Janne Silden speaks with Craig Carter, VP Business Development at Thordon Bearings, about T-BOSS®, a new shaftline concept that eliminates the traditional sterntube and uses a seawater-lubricated bearing.👉 Why shipowners are interested in the sterntubeless concept – but hesitant to go first 👉 What a recent CAPEX study found about the cost of building without a sterntube 👉 How a shorter shaftline can create additional cargo or engine-room space 👉 Why shipyards and naval architects are crucial to bringing the concept into newbuild projects 👉 How the design allows shaftline inspection and maintenance while the vessel remains afloat From eliminating sterntube oil pollution risks to simplifying construction and maintenance, the conversation looks at what T-BOSS® could change – and why getting the first vessel into operation may be the key to wider adoption.#Maritime #Shipping #ThordonBearings #Shipbuilding #Tboss #Shaftline #MarineEngineering

Oil mist, vibration, bearing friction, gas concentration: what can these different signals tell us about what is happening inside an engine? In this episode, Janne Silden speaks with Raphael Stein, Group Sales Manager at Schaller Automation, during SMM. Together they discuss: 👉 Why oil mist detection remains critical for large engines 👉 How vibration, bearing and gas monitoring add to the picture 👉 What digitalisation and alternative fuels mean for engine monitoring 👉 How sensors can provide a more complete picture of engine health 👉 Where AI and predictive maintenance fit into the future From 70 years of oil mist detection to integrated monitoring and AI, the conversation looks at how engine safety is evolving. #Maritime #Shipping #SchallerAutomation #ConditionMonitoring

AI is already on the bridge. But how good is it when things get complicated? In this episode of the HANSA.newscast, Janne Silden speaks with Dor Raviv, Co-founder and CTO at Orca AI, about what AI can already do in maritime navigation – and where it still reaches its limits. Together they discuss: 👉 Why data may matter more than the AI model itself 👉 Where AI still struggles at sea 👉 Will AI ever replace the people on the bridge? 👉 Why autonomous shipping isn’t all or nothing 👉 Can technology attract the next generation to sea? From sensor fusion and human-machine interaction to the changing role of seafarers, the conversation looks at what AI on the bridge actually means in practice. #Maritime #Shipping #OrcaAI #AI #MaritimeAI #Navigation #Seafarers #HANSAnewscast

How can an open-source design system improve usability, safety and collaboration across the maritime industry?In this episode, Janne Silden speaks with Ronald Epskamp (Bachmann electronic) and Professor Kjetil Nordby (Oslo School of Architecture and Design) about the evolution of OpenBridge: from a Norwegian research initiative to a globally adopted design framework.

Artificial intelligence has moved from future vision to reality.  Janne Silden speaks with Volker Bertram about how the Maritime Future Summit has evolved over the past decade, why generative AI is reaching a tipping point, and what visitors can expect at this year's event.  #MaritimeFutureSummit #SMM2026 #AI #Shipping

As maritime security challenges continue to grow, satellite-based surveillance is becoming an increasingly important part of maritime domain awareness.  In this episode of the HANSA.newscast, Janne Silden speaks with Simon Flack, Head of Business Development, Earth Observation and Innovation at Space Norway.  Together they discuss:  👉 Why the Arctic has become strategically important  👉 How satellite radar complements AIS  👉 The growing challenge of dark fleets and AIS spoofing  👉 The "No Vessel Unseen" concept  👉 What commercial shipping and insurers can gain from improved maritime domain awareness  👉 How AI and sensor fusion are shaping the future of Earth observation  Whether you work in shipping, maritime technology, defence, offshore energy or satellite services, this conversation provides valuable insights into how space infrastructure is supporting safer and more transparent oceans. 

How does an engineering company evolve while staying true to what made it successful in the first place?  Janne Silden speaks with TGE Marine CEO Jan Volkert Wibel about the company's transformation into a multi-gas, multi-application engineering partner—and the engineering mindset that has remained constant throughout that evolution.  "But what did not change the last 10 years is when it's got difficult, when it's innovations and if it's challenging then we are there." 

The conversation explores compliance as a strategic business topic, the emergence of new maritime markets around EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime, environmental incentive schemes, pricing transparency, and the role of data in navigating an increasingly complex regulatory landscape. OceanScore currently supports around 8,000 vessels worldwide and recently launched the OceanScore Pool Price Index, providing a market-based reference point for FuelEU compliance.

In this episode of HANSA.newscast, Janne Silden speaks with Hauke Hendricks, Head of Global Sales at Hoppe Marine, about the role of high-frequency data in ship performance. The discussion looks at where data creates value in practice — and where it does not. Hendricks shares examples of unused data as well as cases where targeted analysis leads to measurable savings.

Janne Silden speaks with Captain Pradeep Chawla, Master Mariner and CEO of MarinePALS, about how regulatory frameworks translate into operational practice at sea. 👉 Safe manning, workload, and fatigue 👉 Regulatory intent vs. onboard execution 👉 Operational and economic constraints 👉 AEDs and medical response onboard 👉 Safety culture in practice 👉 The role of AI in shipping A grounded perspective on how collaboration, practical feedback, and emerging technologies can contribute to safer and more efficient shipping.

Andreas Ullrich (RINA) explains how classification has shifted from compliance "police" to advisory partner. We discuss technology, fuels (LNG, methanol, nuclear), and the realities of design complexity, regulatory constraints, and how shipbuilding decisions are actually made.

In this episode of HANSA Newscast, Janne Silden speaks with Andreas Ullrich from RINA about why passenger ships are often the most technologically demanding vessels in the maritime industry. 👉 Why cruise ships lead technology adoption 👉 How owners, shipyards and class coordinate complex projects 👉 Why designs evolve throughout the build process 👉 LNG, methanol and early discussions around nuclear propulsion 👉 Why classification is shifting from pure compliance checkers to technical advisors Passenger vessels combine strict safety requirements, public visibility and rapidly evolving technology, making them one of the most demanding segments in shipbuilding.

In this episode, Janne Silden visits the bridge system test facility at Anschütz and speaks with Volker Wenzel about how modern ship navigation systems ensure reliability. 👉 Jamming vs. spoofing 👉 Sensor validation and bridge system consistency👉 The role of CCRS in cross-checking data👉 Real-world signal loss scenarios in the Suez Canal👉 Why human watchkeeping remains criticalModern navigation relies on structured redundancy, continuous sensor validation and skilled human judgment.

In this episode, I speak with Patrick Ryan, Chief Technology Officer at ABS, about the renewed role of nuclear propulsion in commercial shipping. The discussion examines Small Modular Reactors, how modern reactor types are technically defined, why floating nuclear power barges are expected to enter service first, and which regulatory and permitting factors determine realistic timelines for maritime application.

Onboard Große Michel in the Port of Hamburg, this episode of HANSA Newscast features a conversation with Carsten Löhmer, CEO and owner of Loewe Marine. We talk about a career shaped by the sea—from early exposure to shipyards and naval vessels to vocational training, naval architecture studies, and eventually building a company focused on rudders and steering systems. Carsten explains why rudders are far more than “garage doors” under a ship. The discussion goes deep into hydrodynamics, cavitation, efficiency gains, and why custom-designed rudders can deliver measurable fuel and emission savings. He shares real-world examples, including towing tank tests showing up to 4 % energy savings through optimized rudder design. The conversation also explores how careers in the maritime industry have changed: dual study programs, practical shipyard experience, global project work, and the importance of understanding real working conditions—from welding in confined spaces to managing international teams. Finally, Carsten looks ahead: holistic retrofit concepts combining hull, propeller, and rudder optimization, emissions reduction (CO₂, NOx), and upcoming international cooperation projects. A grounded episode on maritime engineering, career paths, teamwork, and why shipping remains one of the most global and opportunity-rich industries.

Maritime digitalization is changing faster than ever. In this episode, I speak with Joy Basu, CEO of Smart Ship Hub, about why the industry is moving away from isolated tools and toward unified digital platforms. Joy explains that the past twelve months have brought more disruption than the previous several years: mergers and acquisitions, major investments in data infrastructure, and a growing focus on cloud, GPU processing, and high-frequency sensor data. He outlines why corporate users now want integrated systems that combine vessel performance, decarbonization metrics, condition monitoring, AI diagnostics, and legacy-to-smart upgrades in one environment. We also discuss the sharp drop in technology costs—from USD 280,000 per ship to under USD 10,000—and what this means for small and midsize operators. Joy describes Smart Ship Hub’s platform approach, global customer footprint, and why “connected ecosystems” will define the next decade of maritime operations. The episode concludes with a candid reflection on entrepreneurship, personal sacrifice, and the coming impact of AI on the maritime sector.

Claus Ulrich Selbach, Vice President Exhibitions at Hamburg Messe, joins Janne Silden to unpack the reasoning and relevance behind the Maritime Security & Defence Conference 2025 (MS&D) in Hamburg. He explains why procurement has become the central theme of Europe’s maritime defence dialogue — and how MS&D helps small and medium-sized companies understand and access complex defence systems. From geopolitical shifts and funding programs to the practical realities of innovation and inclusion, Selbach outlines the structural intention driving Hamburg Messe’s latest initiative.

Shipping can’t afford to wait for new fuels. In this episode of HANSA.newscast, I talk with Frederik Lerche-Tornø, CEO of Oceanly, about how data-driven optimisation delivers real emission cuts now. Oceanly spans Denmark, Italy, and Norway and builds on more than a decade of experience in ship performance. Together with MSC Cruises, the company achieved around 6 % fuel savings through route optimisation, smarter machinery use, and monitoring of hull and propeller conditions. We discuss Oceanly’s concept of fleet transparency – giving ship and shore the same live data – and why this matters for future-fuel strategies across cruise, tanker, and bulk fleets. 🎧 Tune in to hear how operational efficiency is reshaping decarbonisation at sea — one decision, one voyage at a time.

Fleet data volumes are exploding — and secure, high-availability IT systems are becoming mission-critical at sea. In this episode, I talk with Jamie Jones, COO of GTMaritime, about how modern vessels handle massive data flows and why reliability and cybersecurity can no longer be separate topics. From email-based file transfers to real-time synchronization across global fleets, Jamie explains how GT Replicate optimizes ship-shore data exchange for efficiency, security, and uptime — whether using Starlink, VSAT, or L-band connections. 🎧 Topics covered: • Fleet digitalization and connectivity growth • Cyber-secure data replication at sea • Automation and process optimization for IT managers • Real-world cases from global fleets and racing series

Turbochargers have shaped engine technology for more than a century. From Alfred Büchi’s 1904 patent to today’s high-performance designs, they remain central to efficiency, flexibility and decarbonization. In this episode I talk with Daniel Bischofberger, CEO of Accelleron, about innovation in turbocharging, the cartridge concept that allows service during port stays, and why synthetic fuels remain “a drop in the ocean” compared to demand. Daniel also reflects on his own career — moving from power generation and oil & gas into maritime — and why he now has found his dream job.