How did you start in shipping?
I am also one of those who entered shipping by coincidence. I often say we stepped on a banana leaf. Someone invited me to join. Out of 250 people I interviewed on the Shipping Podcast, only a handful joined the maritime industry intentionally, maybe 10 because of family ties, and a few after seeing a job ad. The rest, like me, stumbled into it. It shows how much our industry still struggles with structured recruitment and visibility.
How did it happen?
When Sweden joined the European Union, it became possible to set up a marine insurance brokerage in the country. I was invited to join a three-person startup. My role was to bring structure, ensure proper systems, and manage the agreements. When I left ten years later, we had grown to eleven people. It taught me how to build something from the ground up.
After that, I spent another decade as an underwriter with Royal & Sun Alliance, leading marine insurance for Sweden as part of a Nordic group. Insuring ships is a fascinating business because you must understand every aspect of their risk. A broker acts on behalf of the shipowner, finding the right insurance. The underwriter takes the other side, taking on the risk and pricing it accordingly. You must know everything: how often a ship docks, what flag it flies, the crew contracts, who finances it, what spare parts they keep, and even how quickly they can recover if something breaks. You need to know a lot about shipping and that’s what makes it so interesting.
People think insurance is boring, but it’s not. You’re assessing the heartbeat of shipping, how much risk the world is willing to take and at what price. During the Gulf War 1991, I handled war-risk insurance where a single call to an excluded port could cost $450,000. The stakes are high!
Why did you start the Shipping Podcast?
At one event in 2013, people were discussing podcasting. They said podcasting was like radio and storytelling. And I thought, that’s precisely what shipping needs. When I asked if there was a podcast about shipping, they said no. The next year, I asked again, and they said, ‘Stop asking, or make one yourself.’ So, I did.
I took an online course, and I learned everything from recording to editing to publishing and figured out how to use PayPal. By 2015, The Shipping Podcast was live. Over time, the podcast built a global audience.
I started the podcast because I wanted to change how the world sees us. Our industry doesn’t always value communication. Shipping is what I call the Cinderella industry. We’re invisible until something breaks, and then we’re on the front page for all the wrong reasons. Yet there are so many good people doing important work every day. I wanted to tell those stories. I wanted young people and outsiders to understand that shipping is full of opportunity, and that you don’t have to start as CEO on day one. Everyone brings their past experiences—whether you studied art, law, or engineering, those skills have a place in this industry.
Our industry is really about the people. I love listening to what they do and learning from them. My podcast is just an extension of that curiosity.
What are the big issues in shipping today?
Shipping is a relationship business; it always will be. But it also needs to modernize. There are many challenges, digitalization, sustainability, and attracting young talent are among the biggest. Business models are changing fast. The next generation won’t walk into an office and start with pen and paper. Companies that adapt will survive; those that don’t, won’t. We should look at other industries, like automotive or aviation, to learn.
We’re still not good at recruiting. Imagine if we packaged our message clearly, why shipping matters, and how diverse and exciting it is. We need to show the faces behind it. If we want young people, especially young women, to see themselves here, we must show them that they belong. The responsibility starts with leaders, shipowners, managers, and people running the business. Hiring and inspiring talent is their most important job. But I also think industry associations should play a role. Maybe the global bodies that represent us could help promote the industry rather than just regulate it.
How was your journey as a woman in maritime?
When I started, I was once sent to Lloyd’s in London. Walking into that building felt like stepping onto a catwalk; there were maybe ten women among hundreds of men. Being the only woman in the room can be empowering, but it’s also exhausting. Joining WISTA, the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association, was a relief. Finally, I met women who faced the same challenges.
When I started the Shipping Podcast, I decided that half my guests should be women. Ten years ago, hardly any women were being interviewed in maritime media. I wanted to give them a platform to inspire others and show that this industry is for everyone. Today, I focus on mentoring young women and supporting female networks in the industry. I’ve learned that women supporting women isn’t just a slogan; it works. It changes both careers and the culture.
