Recorded onboard the historic vessel Grosse Michel in the Port of Hamburg, this episode features an in-depth conversation with Carsten Löhmer, CEO and owner of Loewe Marine.
Starting from his personal path into naval architecture, shaped by early exposure to the sea, vocational training at leading German shipyards, and formal engineering studies, Carsten illustrates how long-term engineering competence is built at the intersection of theory, practice, and curiosity. This background forms the basis for his core argument: that meaningful performance gains in modern shipping no longer come from isolated components, but from understanding the vessel as an integrated hydrodynamic system.
The discussion centers on the rudder and steering system, a part of the ship still widely underestimated in its impact. Drawing on towing-tank tests and retrofit projects, Carsten explains how customized rudder designs, engineered in conjunction with hull and propeller geometry, can unlock efficiency gains of up to four percent, challenging long-held assumptions within the industry.
Beyond technology, the episode reflects on how engineering mindset and industry structures have evolved. Carsten emphasizes the growing importance of dual study programs, hands-on operational understanding, and cross-disciplinary teamwork, particularly as shipping faces increasing pressure to reduce emissions while maintaining reliability and safety. Innovation, he argues, depends not on isolated optimization or abstract targets, but on engineers who understand how ships are built, operated, and maintained in reality.
The conversation concludes with a forward-looking view on holistic retrofit strategies and new cooperative approaches aimed at improving the performance of existing fleets. As regulatory and environmental demands intensify, the episode makes a clear case for system thinking below the waterline, where small, well-engineered changes can deliver disproportionate impact.
