The international maritime industry, based on the global oceanic currents for its survival and success, had been transformed in every other way except for being completely transparent. In the words of Terje Kristiansen, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Shipnet, over the past two decades, he was privileged to witness the remarkable technological evolution of the maritime industry. “The progress from the initial era of rudimentary satellite communications to advanced AI-powered route optimization of today has been nothing short of extraordinary. Yet, as we stand on the brink of another transformative era, it’s clear that the next wave of change isn’t about hardware or software, it’s about transparency,” he adds.
According to Terje, the shipping industry has struggled with a very limited vision since its inception when it came to vital information such as fuel usage, vessel emissions, and environmental impact. The data was there. However, much of it remained locked away in ship logbooks or siloed within proprietary systems, making it difficult to identify inefficiencies or fully grasp the ecological footprint of maritime trade.
“But this is changing as we speak. A new wave of forward-thinking shipowners is dismantling these barriers and ushering in a new era—one defined by bold transparency and accountability in environmental performance,” says Terje.
From Curiosity to Command: The Genesis of a Maritime Tech Leader
For Terje, the tide that carried him into the world of maritime technology wasn’t a sudden surge—it was a current he had been quietly following since his youth. “I had an early interest in shipping,” he recalls, “but equally strong was my fascination with computers and software.” That dual passion created a natural intersection for his career to flourish—one where ocean trade met digital innovation. In 1998, that convergence became a reality when he joined Shipnet, a then-burgeoning provider of maritime software solutions.
Yet, while technology brought him into the industry, it was people—and particularly leadership—that would shape the kind of leader he would become.
“I didn’t realize it at the time,” Terje admits, “but my first Sales Director at Shipnet left a lasting impact on how I lead today.” That early mentor didn’t rely on pressure or intimidation to drive results. Instead, he used empowerment and coaching, encouraging his team to aim high while making work an environment of inspiration rather than anxiety. “He was always driving targets,” Terje remembers, “but in a way that made you actually look forward to coming in each day.”
That approach—values-driven, growth-minded, and deeply human—laid the foundation for Terje’s leadership philosophy. It’s one he continues to uphold as Shipnet pushes the boundaries of what maritime software can achieve in the modern era.
Navigating Uncertainty: Leadership Shaped by the Sea
The global shipping world is ever-shifting. Here, uncertainty isn’t an exception—it’s a constant. The ocean, vast and untamed, mirrors the business environment Terje has come to master: full of opportunities, but never short on surprises. As the CEO of Shipnet, he doesn’t just acknowledge the unpredictability of maritime commerce—he embraces it as a crucible for resilience and leadership.
“The dynamics of the shipping industry indirectly help build your resilience,” Terje explains. “Things can change fast.” From geopolitical shocks to supply chain bottlenecks and regulatory overhauls, volatility is part of the daily rhythm. And yet, over the course of decades in the industry, he has come to see this not as a barrier, but as a forge—one that tempers decision-making with experience, perspective, and strategic patience.
“You learn to make better decisions as your experience deepens,” he reflects. “It’s about gathering enough information, asking the right questions, and learning when to act decisively—or when to wait.” For Terje, decision-making isn’t about speed for its own sake. It’s about timing, clarity, and alignment with a long-term vision that doesn’t sway with every wave.
But he’s the first to admit that steering the ship of Shipnet alone would be impossible.
“No CEO stands at the helm alone,” he says. “You are only ever as good as your team.” For Terje, assembling a strong leadership crew has been one of his most vital investments. Around him are individuals who bring not just skills, but insight and accountability—partners in navigating the crosscurrents of technology, client needs, and industry transformation. It’s this collective strength that allows Shipnet to stay agile while never losing sight of its long-term course.
In many ways, Terje’s leadership style is much like navigating the sea: alert, adaptable, and grounded by purpose. He listens closely to shifting winds, but he never lets them determine the destination. The journey may be unpredictable, but with the right crew, steady hands, and a clear vision, the course remains firm.
Charting Innovation with Purpose: Terje’s Vision for Sustainable Maritime Tech
As global conversations around sustainability grow louder, the maritime world finds itself at a decisive crossroads. For Terje, this isn’t just a matter of corporate responsibility—it’s a matter of enduring relevance. The future of shipping lies at the intersection of sustainability and technology, and Terje is committed to ensuring Shipnet not only keeps pace but leads the charge.
“Innovation means nothing if it doesn’t create value for the customer,” Terje says with quiet conviction. That belief is deeply embedded in the company’s DNA. While buzzwords like ‘green tech’ and ‘digital transformation’ float freely across the industry, Terje takes a more grounded approach: pragmatic, people-focused, and impact-driven.
His strategy begins, once again, with his team. “It’s all about the people,” he emphasizes. “Having the right individuals in the right roles in the senior leadership team is what truly supports forward momentum.” For Terje, innovation isn’t the result of flashy one-off projects; it’s a steady process powered by aligned minds who understand both technology and market reality.
That alignment is critical when dealing with the complexities of ecological responsibility. Whether it’s integrating emission-tracking software, enhancing fuel optimization tools, or enabling smarter fleet performance management, Shipnet’s mission is clear: reduce the ecological footprint of global shipping, without increasing the operational burden on customers.
This duality of purpose—driving innovation while upholding environmental stewardship—is what makes Shipnet’s journey under Terje’s leadership both visionary and grounded. It’s not just about being ahead of the curve technologically, but also about asking the hard questions: Does this improve efficiency? Does it support regulatory compliance? Does it ultimately contribute to a healthier ocean?
Terje believes the most meaningful innovations happen when ecological goals and customer value converge. “When our tools help a fleet lower emissions and save costs at the same time, we know we’re on the right track,” he adds.
In an industry often caught between legacy systems and future expectations, Terje is quietly building a culture that understands both. By staying humble in the face of complexity and bold in the pursuit of relevance, he’s ensuring that Shipnet sails ahead—sustainably, strategically, and always with the customer at the helm.
Leading with Empathy: When Leadership Is Measured by Humanity
For Terje, leadership has never been just about strategy, innovation, or steering an organization through complex seas. It’s also about the quiet, often painful moments—when tough decisions must be made not from spreadsheets, but from the core of one’s values. One such moment tested not only his resilience as a CEO but his very humanity.
“Reducing the workforce was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever had to do,” Terje shares with unflinching honesty. It wasn’t just a business decision; it was a deeply personal reckoning. Every name on the list wasn’t just a role being dissolved—it was a life, a family, a set of dreams impacted.
In that moment, all his years of navigating stormy business climates, driving innovation, and setting strategic goals faded into the background. What came to the forefront was emotional intelligence—the ability to lead with empathy, to deliver hard truths with compassion, and to stand firmly at the intersection of what is right for the business and what is humane for the people behind it.
“You must represent the company, but you cannot forget the human being across from you,” Terje reflects. “That’s the real challenge. And the real growth.”
It was a turning point that transformed his leadership philosophy. From that point forward, empathy became a guiding principle—not only in difficult conversations, but in boardroom strategies, customer relations, and especially internal culture-building. He understood that resilience isn’t about being hardened by tough decisions; it’s about being softened in the right places and still having the strength to carry forward with clarity and conviction.
This experience also reinforced his belief that leadership isn’t just about being prepared for external disruption, but also for internal, emotional complexity. The most effective leaders, he believes, are those who can match decisiveness with emotional awareness. “It’s not weakness to lead with empathy—it’s what makes leadership real,” he adds.
At Shipnet, this human-first mindset has become part of the organizational DNA. Whether it’s rolling out new tools or managing change, Terje ensures that every project carries a clear sense of purpose—and that every person involved feels seen, heard, and respected.
In the world of maritime technology and global logistics, where numbers, regulations, and efficiency dominate the conversation, Terje is quietly proving that the most powerful force in leadership is still empathy. It’s what turns a good company into a great one. And it’s what sustains leaders not just through moments of triumph, but through the storms no one ever wants to face.
Innovation with a Human Heart: Leading with Purpose, Listening with Intent
Innovation may power the future, but empathy anchors the present. For Terje Kristiansen, CEO of Shipnet, driving innovation isn’t only about technology pipelines or hackathon wins—it’s about people. It’s about building a culture where creativity and emotional connection move together, where strategic planning shares space with personal purpose, and where leadership is measured not just in KPIs, but in trust.
As the tides of maritime technology continue to shift at breathtaking speed, Terje knew early on that the company’s edge wouldn’t lie in code alone, but in culture. That’s why his leadership has doubled down on two fundamental things: clarity of values and authentic connection.
“Innovation begins when people feel seen,” Terje reflects. “When they know they matter, they take risks. They bring ideas. They care.”
This philosophy was brought to life through a series of Senior Leadership workshops and company-wide value sessions—deep dives that weren’t just about setting goals but about rediscovering why the company exists and what it stands for. These workshops became the compass by which Shipnet aligns its innovation with its identity.
But Terje didn’t stop at values on a slide deck.
To truly humanize leadership, he made it a point—despite his global responsibilities—to spend real time with his people. “As we are a global team, I try to visit our offices several times a year,” he shares. “I may not be able to meet everyone, but when I do, I don’t just talk about business. I ask them, what makes a good day for you? What do you love about your role?”
These moments, Terje says, often reveal more about the company’s direction than any data dashboard. “Leadership is listening. It’s not always about giving answers—it’s about earning trust.”
To keep this spirit alive beyond his own reach, Terje has empowered the HR team to develop ‘value champions’—colleagues within the organization who serve as cultural catalysts, reinforcing Shipnet’s values day-to-day, across departments and geographies.
And when it comes to innovation, those same values guide every step. From hackathons that welcome bold new ideas from all levels of the organization, to strategic sessions that align long-term vision with human needs, innovation at Shipnet is not an isolated event. It’s an everyday practice rooted in inclusion.
Terje’s leadership journey makes it clear: innovation doesn’t thrive in isolation—it flourishes in connection. At Shipnet, the future is being built by people who feel heard, empowered, and united by purpose.
Because in the end, the most transformative technology is not digital—it’s cultural.
Message for a New Generation
For Terje, legacy isn’t built in boardrooms—it’s shaped by listening. His advice to future ocean innovators is simple yet profound: “Know your people. Listen with intention.” He believes true leadership lies in emotional intelligence, where trust fuels progress. “My hope,” Terje reflects, “is to be remembered for empowering others to lead with heart.”
A Global Course, A Shared Ocean: Terje Kristiansen’s Vision for Collective Impact
For Terje Kristiansen, leading Shipnet means navigating more than just technology—it means steering through the layered complexities of international collaboration, regulatory landscapes, and cultural nuances. “We’ve always been global,” Terje says, noting Shipnet’s diverse leadership team and offices spread across continents. “Managing different regulations and operational challenges is simply part of how we work—but communication is the real anchor.”
To that end, Terje credits Shipnet’s internal expertise and cultural fluency for ensuring alignment. “We rely on our people—our knowledge base—to bridge the gaps that time zones and traditions create.”
But global leadership also comes with deeper responsibility, especially as climate change casts its shadow over the oceans. “Our HR team has done a fantastic job,” Terje says proudly. One such initiative is ‘Waves in the World’, a hands-on program that mobilizes teams for volunteer efforts like shoreline cleanups in the UK. “It’s small, but it’s real. We’re not just talking about impact—we’re living it.”
When asked about the horizon of ocean tech, Terje pauses. “There’s so much happening—especially with AI. It’s the big conversation right now.” While he admits no one can fully predict the ripple effects of AI across shipping, he’s certain it will redefine how maritime operations evolve. “We’re preparing, staying alert, and building capabilities. Because while I can’t say exactly how or when, it will reshape us.”
With eyes on the horizon and feet grounded in purpose, Terje continues navigating toward a future where innovation meets accountability—and the ocean remains everyone’s shared responsibility.
