Navigating Zero - Global Trade’s Powerful Wave of Change

In this episode, host Lora Jakobsen speaks with Alexander Saverys, CEO of CMB.TECH, about what it means to truly future-proof shipping.

Alexander Saverys is a leader who isn’t afraid to take risks. With seven generations of family history in maritime, he has transformed the Compagnie Martime Belge from a traditional shipowner into one of the most forward-thinking players in the industry, betting early on hydrogen and ammonia as fuels of the future.

And it paid off. Today, CMB.TECH is building its own clean fuel supply chain in Namibia, and the cultural changes at play inside the organisation are just as critical as technological ones.

From major acquisitions like Golden Ocean to pioneering new vessel designs, Alexander’s strategy balances decarbonisation with diversification. In this episode, Lora and Alexander unpack this vision, discuss how regulation and technology are reshaping the cost of low-carbon shipping, and reflect on how flexibility can help us shift towards renewables, through retrofitting, hybrid engines, and customer choice.

Future-proofing shipping isn’t just about cleaner fuels, it’s about rethinking the whole system: the energy we produce, the technology we adopt, the culture we foster, and the partnerships we build. 

This episode is a reminder that a new propulsion revolution is just around the corner. Join this conversation to find out how investing now will determine who thrives in the decades ahead.


About Alexander Saverys: LinkedIn
About CMB.TECH: Website
About Zero North: Website
About Lora Jakobsen: LinkedIn
Subscribe to the Navigating Zero Newsletter

Sources:
Euronav’s Annual Report 2023 - Quarterlytics
About Cleanergy Solutions Namibia - CMB.TECH
How does adding 91 fossil fuel-burning bulkers fit into CMB.TECH’s green shipping strategy? - TradeWinds

What is Navigating Zero - Global Trade’s Powerful Wave of Change?

There’s no denying we are facing a climate crisis, and all industries must do their part to reach zero emissions. Maritime trade is critical to today’s society but is also responsible for roughly 3% of all greenhouse gas emissions. A future where global trade reaches zero carbon emissions is possible, but how do we actually get there?

Navigating Zero - Global Trade’s Powerful Wave of Change is a podcast from ZeroNorth that explores exactly that.

In each episode, Lora Jakobsen, Chief Sustainability Officer at Zero North, speaks with global thought leaders inside and outside the shipping industry to build a greener future together. They’ll unpack everything from the economics of decarbonisation in maritime shipping and global trade, to green energy innovations, from sustainable shipping logistics to digitalisation, data sharing and regulation in the industry.

Previous guests include leaders building the conversation around a greener future, such as Danny Lang (ex-Vice President of Business Intelligence at Google), Robert Mærsk Uggla (Chairman of the board directors of Maersk, CEO of A.P. Møller Holding) and Rasmus Nordqvist of the EU Parliament.

After two successful seasons, Navigating Zero will be returning for Season 3, to spotlight the industry’s most innovative trailblazers – the architects of change who are rebuilding the maritime trade ecosystem from the inside out. Featuring voices like Alexander Saverys, CEO of CMB.Tech, Johannah Christensen from GMF, and Julian Bray, former Editor-in-Chief of TradeWinds, as we explore what transformation really looks like in practice.

About Lora Jakobsen:
Lora Jakobsen is ZeroNorth’s Chief Sustainability Officer and one of the organisation’s founding members. She specialises in technology, growth and sustainability strategy, and is on a mission to accelerate the maritime shift towards sustainability in global trade. Lora brings clarity and challenge to every conversation, grounding the show in a commitment to finding new and better ways.

About ZeroNorth:
ZeroNorth is a technology leader committed to accelerating the energy transition in global shipping. Founded in 2020, we have grown from being a team of six to 600 employees across 10 global locations. We are at the forefront of the decarbonisation movement, leveraging technology and data as enablers to drive immediate reductions in emissions — critical steps towards achieving long-term sustainability goals in the maritime industry.

Learn more at: https://zeronorth.com/