Navigating Zero - Global Trade’s Powerful Wave of Change

Just days after the IMO’s decision to postpone the net-zero framework, the Global Maritime Forum (GMF) held its annual summit in Antwerp, Belgium. An opportunity to bring industry leaders back in the same room to confront uncertainty and chart a path forward at a decisive time.

Johannah Christensen, CEO at GMF, was at the heart of the action. Just a few days after the summit, she sat down with Lora on Navigating Zero to unpack this pivotal moment in shipping.

Together they explore how collaboration can counteract frustrations, and what coordinated action looks like at present. They also discuss how to juggle long - and short-term thinking, and why practical frameworks like green corridors are helping turn ambition into implementation. 

Johannah offers a candid look at the signals that matter right now, and the work that still lies ahead to align incentives, build trust and scale real solutions across the industry at large.

From systemic barriers to bright spots of progress, this conversation with Johannah is filled with insights, and resonates with the optimism we need to keep momentum alive.

About Johannah Christensen: LinkedIn
About the Global Maritime Forum: Website
About ZeroNorth: Website
About Lora Jakobsen: LinkedIn
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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/