Waves of Change: Innovating for a Sustainable Maritime Future
Helen Czerski moderating the panel of Rodrigo Prudencio, Sarah-Louise Keegan and Iain Percy.
February 2025
Featuring: Helen Czerski (moderator), physicist, oceanographer and author of “The Blue Machine”; Iain Percy, Olympic Sailing Gold Medallist and CEO of Artemis Technologies; Sarah-Louise Keegan, Director of Maritime Research and Innovation UK (MarRI-UK) and Rodrigo Prudencio, GP of Propeller VC.
On Tuesday at Earth Set, we ventured into uncharted waters with a fascinating discussion on the maritime sector’s role in tackling climate change. Shipping, ports, offshore energy, and the blue economy are central to global sustainability – yet often overlooked.
Helen began the discussion with a powerful reminder: The ocean isn’t just ‘out there’—it shapes our planet, economy, and daily lives.
💡 Key Themes from the Night:
🚢 Decarbonizing shipping – The industry is under pressure to reduce emissions, but alternative fuels (hydrogen, ammonia, hybrid systems) need global infrastructure investment. How do we scale up solutions?
🌍 Markets vs. Regulation – Innovation is happening, but without strong regulation, businesses struggle to justify investments in cleaner technologies. How do we balance economic incentives with necessary policies?
🌊 The Ocean’s Role in Climate – From carbon sequestration to offshore wind and biodiversity restoration, the ocean is central to climate solutions. But can we truly harness its potential without unintended consequences?
💡 Investment and Innovation – Startups are tackling key challenges, from wind-assisted propulsion to monitoring subsea infrastructure with AI. But who funds ocean innovation, and what will unlock wider adoption?
🍹 Conversations Beyond the Stage
The discussion didn’t stop when the panel ended—our Earth Set community kept the ideas flowing over drinks and nibbles, making new connections and sparking future collaborations. The energy in the room was incredible, and we’re so grateful to everyone who joined!
