Episode 118: Driving Strategy and Scaling Maritime Tech with Aleksander Askeland of Manta Marine Technologies
Guest: Aleksander Askeland, Chief Financial Officer, Manta Marine Technologies
Episode Overview:
Aleksander Askeland’s career journey has taken him from the Arctic coal trade to leading strategy and finance at Manta Marine Technologies, one of the most forward-looking players in maritime decarbonization.
In this conversation, we dive into the CFO’s role as a strategic driver, the realities of scaling tech in shipping, and why digitalization and emissions compliance must go hand in hand.
Key Points:
- From Svalbard to Shipping: How a coal export operation in the Arctic introduced Aleksander to shipping’s complexity and sparked his passion.
- The Yara Years: Why Yara’s pivot from scrubbers to a broader tech portfolio laid the groundwork for Manta’s evolution.
- CFO as Strategist: Moving beyond balance sheets and towards how finance leadership shapes market positioning, acquisitions, and tech bets.
- Change Management at Sea: Why crew adoption is central to decarbonization technologies and how to avoid disrupting daily workflows.
- Acquisition by Okapi Supply Trading SA: How independence from Yara is making Manta more agile in responding to market and regulatory pressures.
- Scaling Beyond Pilots: Overcoming the challenge of moving shipowners from 1–2 trial vessels to fleet-wide adoption.
- Investor Attention: Where maritime tech is in the “football match” of investment and why maritime-focused VCs are changing the game.
Learn More: Listen to my conversation with Scott Bergeron, Head of Fleet Management at Oldendorff Carriers, on scaling maritime operations [Episode 82].
Tune in Now: Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more! Watch the episode on YouTube.
Music by: Peg and The Rejected ‘King of SKA’
Art Work By: GA Design
Head cook and bottle washer: Chris Aversano
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Proudly sponsored by:
- The Captain’s Table – the premier global pitch competition for maritime and logistics startups
- SHIPPINGInsight – North America’s premier technology & innovation forum for shipping
- London International Shipping Week 2025 – where the world’s maritime leaders meet
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