I had the pleasure of sitting down with Carsten Bullemer, founder of Maritime Data Systems, over a beer in Hamburg. As a serial entrepreneur, Carsten’s career is a fascinating blend of technology, innovation, and community building, spanning everything from maritime software development to digital platforms like trusteddocks.com, Navisense, and searoutes.com.
But beyond his work in AI-driven solutions and digital platforms, Carsten is deeply invested in fostering connections within the maritime industry. His belief? Small, consistent actions can lead to big industry-wide impact.
Key insights from our conversation:
- Transforming Maritime Logistics – What began as procurement tools has evolved into data-driven hubs that increase transparency and efficiency in shipping.
- AI’s Expanding Role in Shipping – From private AIS networks to carbon emission tracking, Carsten predicts that by 2025, 90% of his work will be powered by AI, reshaping the industry’s approach to efficiency and innovation.
- Practical Innovation Over Hype – With decades of entrepreneurial experience, Carsten highlights that real change comes from impactful, pragmatic contributions—not from chasing unattainable legacies.
From data to digitalization, AI to community-building, Carsten’s insights offer a compelling look at where maritime technology is headed.