Season 3 | Episode with Maria Skipper Schwenn
In this episode of The Wavemakers Podcast, I sit down with Maria Skipper Schwenn, Director of Environmental Regulatory & Public Affairs at Bunker Holding and a long-time advocate for maritime decarbonization, regulation, and collaboration.
Maria has spent over 13 years shaping climate, environmental, and safety policies—representing Danish shipowners, working at the IMO, and serving on multiple boards driving the green shipping transition. Beyond her professional achievements, she is also a proud mother of six, a strong voice for women supporting women, and a believer in the power of collaboration.
We explore:
⚓️ How Maria unexpectedly entered the world of shipping
⚓️ Her role in pivotal IMO moments, from the EEDI adoption to global decarbonization strategies
⚓️ Powerful stories from ship recycling in India to migrant rescues in the Mediterranean
⚓️ How shipping culture is changing with digitalization, new generations of leaders, and more women entering the industry
⚓️ Leadership lessons: balancing toughness with empathy, and believing in yourself even when the going gets tough
⚓️ Maria’s vision for the shipping sector in 2040—and her personal hopes for the future
This is an inspiring conversation about resilience, purpose, and driving impact in one of the world’s most vital industries!
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#Shipping #Decarbonization #Leadership #maritime

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