The Maritime Risk Podcast

Modern ships rarely fail in dramatic fashion. Instead, they drift. In this first episode of a special five-part Maritime Risk Podcast miniseries, Captain Thomas Brown is joined by Andrew Sallay, Co-Founder and CEO of Cequra, to explore how vessels can gradually accumulate hidden cyber and operational fragility without any single alarm bell sounding. From vendor remote access and GNSS interference to “workarounds” becoming standard practice, this episode reframes maritime cyber risk beyond Hollywood-style attacks. Instead, it examines the quiet erosion of resilience that occurs when digitization, connectivity, and operational pressure intersect. This conversation sets the foundation for the series, exploring: This is Episode 1 of a planned five-part series with Andrew Sallay of Cequra, with further episodes rolling out over the coming months as we explore GNSS interference, operational stress events, AI-enabled risk, and practical resilience strategies for shipowners and operators.

In this latest episode of the ShorelineHudson Maritime Risk Podcast, host Captain Thomas Brown is joined by our Global Policy Advisor, Andrew Baskin, as they dive deep into the America’s Maritime Action Plan (MAP) a sweeping initiative that could reshape the future of global shipping. From game-changing fees on foreign-built vessels to the push for a strategic US flag fleet, Andrew breaks down the key elements shipowners and operators need to watch. This is an episode you won’t want to miss if your vessels trade to US ports! Tune in now to prepare for the changes ahead and hear what steps you can take to stay ahead of the curve.

Recent months have marked a clear shift in how geopolitical risk manifests in the maritime sector. What once appeared as policy statements and sanctions lists is now translating into direct enforcement at sea, with real operational, legal, and financial consequences for shipowners and their insurers. In the latest episode of the ShorelineHudson Maritime Risk Podcast, Captain Thomas Brown is joined by Joshua Hutchinson, COO of Ambrey Risk, to unpack the growing enforcement activity linked to Venezuelan oil movements and why it represents a broader inflection point for global shipping. The discussion explores how U.S. authorities are moving from designation to action, boarding and detaining vessels suspected of sanctions breaches, and what this means for operators navigating increasingly blurred lines between lawful trade, shadow operations, and geopolitical escalation. Importantly, the episode highlights that this risk is not confined to Venezuela or the Caribbean. Similar dynamics are already visible in the Black Sea, the Persian Gulf, and other strategically sensitive waters.

Today’s episode isn’t about reinventing COFR guaranty insurance. It’s about how the COFR guaranty insurance transaction itself can be enhanced to reflect the operational reality of modern U.S. trade. We’re going to unpack COFR Plus a jointly developed solution that embeds insurance, compliance, and shipboard attendance into a single framework built around the traditional COFR Guaranty. This is a technical discussion for operators, managers, insurance brokers, and compliance professionals who want fewer surprises, cleaner outcomes, and better control over enforcement-driven business disruption in U.S. waters.

For years, US mariner credentialing relied on fragmented systems, inconsistent records, and limited transparency—leaving mariners, shipowners, and operators exposed to hidden risk. That is about to change. In Episode 44 of the ShorelineHudson Maritime Risk Podcast, Captain Thomas Brown is joined by US maritime attorney and former US Coast Guard lawyer Benjamin Robinson (Chalos & Co.) to unpack the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General’s findings into Coast Guard credentialing failures—and the sweeping reforms now underway. We explore: This episode is essential listening for anyone operating vessels into US waters, or responsible for ensuring their crews are compliant, qualified, and defensible when the Coast Guard comes aboard.

Foreign-flagged vessels calling at U.S. ports now face a significant new operational challenge: the Department of Homeland Security has implemented a $1,000 immigration parole fee, effective 16 October 2025, for any non-exempt alien who is paroled into the United States. This includes vessel crew members requiring medical treatment under certain circumstances. In this episode, ShorelineHudson’s Global Policy Advisor Andrew Baskin sits down with our Head of Claims Deborah Stabile to unpack what the new fee means in practice, why parole is now being denied in some cases, and what shipowners must do to protect their crews, avoid unnecessary delays, and stay compliant when trading to the United States.

Confusion reigns in the wake of Washington’s last-minute amendments to the USTR Section 301 maritime measures. In this episode, Captain Thomas Brown and Washington D.C.–based policy advisor Andrew Baskin break down what’s changed, who pays, and why these new U.S. port fees are about far more than economics. From vessel classifications and deferral windows to Pay.gov payment challenges for foreign shipowners, the discussion separates fact from speculation. The episode also unveils how ShorelineHudson’s newly launched USTR Fee Clearing and Payment Service helps operators stay compliant, avoid port delays, and maintain good-faith standing with regulators and charterers alike. If your fleet trades to the U.S., this is essential listening.

This week, the U.S. begins enforcing port fees on Chinese-built, flagged, or operated vessels under new Section 301 tariff measures. These fees are assessed against the operator listed on the vessel’s COFR — a fact with far-reaching implications for shipowners, managers, and charterers. In our latest Client Advisory and Podcast (Episode 41), we explain:

In this episode of the ShorelineHudson Maritime Risk Podcast, Captain Thomas Brown sits down with Hila Sasson, Director of Product Marketing at Windward, to discuss one of the most pressing and least understood risks facing global shipping today: GNSS jamming and AIS spoofing. From phantom port calls and vessels “sailing on land” to entire fleets suddenly losing navigational capability in conflict zones, these invisible threats are already disrupting trade, complicating compliance, and raising the stakes for shipowners worldwide. Listeners will gain: Whether you’re a shipowner, broker, insurer, or maritime risk professional, this conversation will help you see through the fog of modern navigation risks.

In this episode of the ShorelineHudson Maritime Risk Podcast, we explore how the maritime sector is confronting the growing challenge of cyber risk with data-driven clarity. Our guests include Rob Vasquez, CEO of Beacon Technologies, Rick Siebenaler, CEO of the Maritime Cybersecurity Institute and academic sponsor of this fully funded research initiative, and Sean Jensen, ShorelineHudson’s cyber expert and program facilitator. Together, they discuss the Maritime Cybersecurity Institute’s vessel cyber risk analysis program powered by CYFAX+ and how it is transforming the way shipowners, operators, and regulators visualize, assess, and act on vessel-level cyber threat intelligence. If you're ready to understand what it truly means to "see the threat," this is a conversation you won't want to miss. Speakers: Rob Vazquez – Beacon Technologies Rob Vazquez is the CEO of Beacon Technology Group and a pioneer in cybersecurity innovation with over 30 years of experience across global IT and data protection. He has led enterprise-scale deployments for multinational firms and is the inventor behind a patent-pending AI-based threat processing system. Rob’s work at Beacon focuses on developing accessible cybersecurity solutions, including the CYFAX+ platform, which supports advanced threat visibility and regulatory compliance. Rick Siebenaler - Maritime Cybersecurity Institute Rick Siebenaler is the CEO of the Maritime Cybersecurity Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing cyber resilience in the commercial maritime sector. With a distinguished background at the NSA, CyberGuard, EY, and Deloitte—holding titles such as Chief Scientist and Global CISO, Rick brings strategic depth to maritime cybersecurity. His leadership is driving the sector toward a more mature, integrated approach to cyber risk management. Sean Jensen - ShorelineHudson Sean Jensen is a cyber threat specialist at ShorelineHudson with a master’s in Homeland Security and expertise in maritime risk assessment. He leads the development and deployment of the AVRA platform, delivering intelligence-driven cyber and physical vulnerability assessments for global port and vessel operations. Certified as a Facility Security Officer and Business Continuity Professional, Sean supports compliance and resilience strategies across the maritime domain.

The countdown is on - in this critical episode, your host, Captain Thomas Brown sits down with ShorelineHudson’s cybersecurity lead Mike Malito to unpack the U.S. Coast Guard’s new Final Rule on Cybersecurity, a sweeping update to the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) that mandates a national baseline for cyber readiness across all regulated U.S. ports and terminals. With the July 2025 deadline fast approaching, this episode delivers a clear, actionable roadmap for compliant facilities. From identifying a cyber officer to rolling out mandatory staff training, conducting risk assessments, and drafting a compliant cyber plan, Mike breaks down exactly what’s required, and how ShorelineHudson’s PortLogix™ and Acrisure’s Cybersecurity Blanket can help facilities of all sizes comply without breaking the bank. Don’t miss this deep dive into one of the most significant regulatory shifts in U.S. port security.

In this follow-up to episode 36 of the ShorelineHudson Maritime Risk Podcast, Captain Thomas Brown is joined again by U.S. trade policy expert Andrew Baskin to unpack the now-finalized U.S. port fee regime targeting Chinese-linked vessels. With tariffs topping $1 million per voyage in some cases, strategic exemptions, and geopolitical backlash brewing in Beijing, we explore how this policy is already reshaping vessel operations, trade alliances, asset values — and possibly the future of American shipbuilding. From rerouted cargo to retaliatory threats, this episode dives deep into the policy’s impact and the unintended consequences for shippers, carriers, and global trade at large.

As U.S. policymakers reconsider controversial port fees targeting Chinese-built ships, uncertainty still looms for shipowners, charterers, and global supply chains. In this episode, Captain Thomas Brown speaks with Washington-based policy advisor Andrew Baskin to unpack the latest developments, explore the commercial risks for Far East owners, and explain how time-chartered vessels could be affected. 🎧 Essential listening for anyone trading to U.S. ports with Chinese-built tonnage.

In this episode of the ShorelineHudson Maritime Risk Podcast, Captain Thomas Brown sits down with Tim Gerland, Senior Vice President ShorelineHudson and leading expert on U.S. environmental compliance, to unpack the U.S. Coast Guard’s sweeping update to its Marine Environmental Response Guidelines. 🔍 What’s changed? 💡 Why does it matter for vessel and facility operators? 🚨 How will it affect compliance, preparedness, and response expectations? Whether you manage a fleet, oversee regulatory compliance, or simply want to stay ahead of industry changes, this is a must-listen conversation packed with actionable insights. 🎧 Tune in and get informed on how to navigate the new U.S. environmental regulatory landscape.

Welcome to the Shoreline Maritime Risk Podcast. I'm your host, Captain Thomas Brown, CEO of Shoreline Ltd. Today, I’m joined by Joshua Hutchinson, Managing Director of Intelligence and Risk at Ambrey, the UK’s leading maritime security firm. Ambrey specializes in intelligence-led risk management for shipping, oil and gas, and offshore industries, providing security escorts, armed protection, and operational risk solutions. Joshua brings extensive expertise in maritime security, having led major evacuation and emergency response operations. In this episode, we’ll discuss the rising security threats to merchant shipping, Ambrey’s latest threat assessment, and what shipowners need to know to protect their vessels. Let’s dive in.

In this episode of Shoreline's Maritime Risk Podcast, host Thomas Brown speaks with Rob Vazquez, CEO and founder of Beacon Technologies, about groundbreaking advancements in maritime cybersecurity. Rob shares insights into Beacon’s innovative tools—CyFax and Detect—designed to offer vessels a 360-degree defense against modern cyber threats. Learn how these cutting-edge solutions bring real-time threat intelligence and automated remediation to the maritime industry, making robust cybersecurity accessible to all. Tune in to discover the critical role of continuous attack simulations, adaptive threat intelligence, and proactive security measures to protect vessels from the ever-evolving cyber landscape.

In our latest episode of Shoreline’s Maritime Risk Podcast, we dive into how AI is revolutionizing the maritime industry. Join host Captain Thomas Brown as he chats with Osher Perry, CEO of Shipin Systems, about their groundbreaking AI platform, Fleet Vision. Discover how AI-powered video monitoring and data analytics are improving safety, reducing incidents by 40%, and boosting operational efficiency on vessels worldwide. Whether you’re curious about the tech or eager to explore its tangible impact on shipboard operations, this episode is a must-listen for all maritime professionals! Tune in now to learn how AI is shaping the future of shipping.

In this insightful episode of the Shoreline Maritime Risk Podcast, we dive into one of the most pressing topics facing the shipping industry today: carbon finance. As environmental regulations tighten and market expectations evolve, shipowners and industry stakeholders must navigate the complex landscape of carbon accounting, sustainable finance, and compliance reporting. Join Captain Thomas Brown and Darren Wolfberg, CEO of Triangle Systems Inc., as they explore how carbon finance is impacting the maritime sector. From practical strategies for reducing carbon footprints to understanding the financial implications of non-compliance, this episode is packed with valuable insights that can help shipowners turn regulatory challenges into competitive advantages. Whether you're in finance, shipping, or just interested in the future of maritime sustainability, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

As the maritime industry faces increasing pressure to reduce carbon emissions and align with global sustainability targets, AXA XL's EEI offers a unique insurance solution. Their new product is designed to cover the additional carbon emissions that result from fortuitous events like course deviations to a port of refuge or repairs, by providing indemnity in the form of voluntary carbon credits. We will explore how this insurance product integrates with traditional marine insurance offerings, the process of calculating and verifying carbon credits, and the impact of regulatory changes on the demand for EEI. Hanna will also share insights into the challenges and future developments in the field of carbon offsetting within the shipping industry.

Welcome to the latest episode of Shoreline’s Maritime Risk Podcast, where we dive deep into the crucial issues facing the shipping industry today. In this episode, we tackle the pressing topic of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) compliance and its growing significance in the maritime sector. Our esteemed guests, Anne Katrine Bjerregaard from the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping and Peter Jameson from The Boston Consulting Group , bring their extensive expertise to the table. They discuss the newly developed ESG Playbook for Shipping, offering invaluable insights into integrating ESG strategies, navigating regulatory pressures, and leveraging technological innovations. Tune in to learn how embracing ESG can not only enhance transparency and sustainability but also drive economic value and operational efficiency for your shipping business.