Podcast: “The shift from firefighting to foresight is as much about people as it is platforms”
From “The Last Dinosaur – Maritime Shipping in the Digital Age”
In an interview with “The Last Dinosaur” podcast, Managing Director Ingrid Kylstad shared her perspective with host Christopher Aversano on how digitalization in shipping is evolving, and what it really takes to create lasting change.
For Kylstad, the shift from firefighting to foresight is as much about people as it is about platforms. Technology can make chartering and operations smarter, but only if teams are willing to change how they work. “If we’re not changing their jobs, why are we doing this?” she asks, emphasizing that real innovation means building tools that make work easier, faster, and more value-adding.
She also highlights the growing competence among maritime buyers and why that matters. As more non-developers learn to work with tech, the buyer side is maturing. Yet, many still approach digital solutions as if they were charter parties to be negotiated, rather than ecosystems to be built.
Kylstad argues the future of shipping isn’t about finding “the perfect platform”, it’s about creating a smarter, more open digital ecosystem where collaboration and curiosity drive progress. The conversation also dives into how AI, automation, and better change management can unlock that potential - and why embracing new talent and diverse thinking will define who stays relevant in the years ahead.
Listen now: Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.