In Episode three of the SEAClearly Podcast, host Dany Rastelli, Global Head of Marketing & Communications at Pole Star Global, is joined by Stephen Bomgardner, VP of Shipping and Offshore at Pole Star Global, and Joshua Hutchinson, Managing Director of Intelligence and Risk at Ambrey. Together, they explore the complex and escalating threats facing the maritime industry—from cyberattacks and piracy to geopolitical tensions and data manipulation. This episode highlights how advanced intelligence, human oversight, and predictive tools are essential to defending global trade and vessel safety in the modern maritime environment.
Episode Timestamps
00:00:21 – Welcome to SEAClearly: host and guest introductions, opening the topic of maritime safety.
00:03:39 – The impact of cyber threats on major shipping and logistics companies in recent years.
00:07:09 – The psychological toll of operating under constant threat in today’s maritime world.
00:10:44 – Modern threat landscape: from piracy to drones and missile attacks on vessels.
00:14:05 – Rethinking risk management beyond traffic-light systems; preparing for real-world events.
00:17:27 – Bridging physical and digital: predictive analytics and intelligence-led decision making.
00:20:46 – The importance of situational awareness from the perspective of a vessel master.
00:24:07 – Balancing crew safety with economic decisions during high-risk voyages.
00:27:16 – Corruption, regional instability, and how they amplify maritime operational risk.
00:30:45 – Escalating extremism and unpredictable boundaries in maritime conflict zones.
Key Topics
1. Evolving Threat Landscape
- From piracy to drones and missiles, modern maritime threats are more diverse and unpredictable than ever.
2. Cybersecurity in Shipping
- Rising cyberattacks on vessels and infrastructure.
- The vulnerability of ships as floating data centers.
3. Geopolitical Pressure Zones
- High-risk regions including the Red Sea and Gulf of Guinea.
- The influence of military presence and economic unrest on maritime operations.
4. Predictive Intelligence & Real-Time Monitoring
- Importance of integrating satellite data, threat modeling, and on-ground intelligence.
5. The Human Element
- The role of trained operators and decision-makers in responding to dynamic risks.
- Psychological stress on crews and leadership during emergencies.
6. Situational Awareness at Sea
- How captains and crew assess and respond to threats in real time.
- Balancing navigation, safety, and economics.
7. Risk Management Strategy
- Going beyond checklists to adopt proactive, layered security protocols.
- The shift from reactive to predictive safety frameworks.
8. Corruption and Criminal Networks
- How corruption and weak infrastructure elevate risk in port regions.
- Impacts on insurance, routing, and crew morale.
9. Private Sector Innovations
- How companies like Pole Star and Ambrey are building tools to support security decisions.
- The role of tech platforms in intelligence sharing.
10. Future of Maritime Defense
- The urgent need for collaboration across industry, tech, and policy.
- Tools that blend human and machine capabilities to keep global trade flowing safely.