Future Thinking S4 E3: Leading at Sea: How Shipowners Support Their Crews

In this episode of Future Thinking, Captain Yves Vandenborn, Head of Loss Prevention – Asia-Pacific at NorthStandard, explores how shipowners and operators are responding to improving the evolving well-being needs of today's seafarers and building safer, more supportive working environments. Yves is joined by Jeremy Sutton, CEO of Swire Shipping, and Nick Potter, President & CEO of AET, both NorthStandard Members, to discuss the relationship between crew wellbeing, vessel safety and operational performance.

Together, they share industry best practices which attract, develop and retain the next generation of seafarers, from clear career pathways and mentoring programmes to onboard support. The conversation also examines changing expectations around connectivity, community and life at sea, while sharing examples of initiatives, including the All Aboard Alliance which features are explained by guest speaker Susanne Justesen, Director of Human Sustainability at Global Maritime Forum.

Highlights:

02:26 Wellbeing Equals Safety

04:35 Cadets and Retention

07:07 Preparing Cadets for Life

08:58 Better Living Onboard

10:55 DEI and Belonging

14:00 All Aboard Alliance Goals

16:19 Practical Fleet Examples

19:30 Roadmaps and Benchmarking

Nick Potter – President & CEO at AET

Nick Potter was appointed President & CEO of AET and Vice President, Petroleum & Products of MISC Group on 17 March 2025, joining the MISC Executive Leadership Team. Based in Singapore, he brings over 35 years of maritime and energy sector experience, having held key leadership roles in commercial, technical, and operational capacities.

His career began at sea as an Engineering Officer, before progressing through various roles at Shell and BG Group, giving him deep expertise in maritime logistics, including the tanker business.

Nick plays an active role in shaping the future of the maritime industry, with a focus on energy transition, talent development, and seafarer welfare. He is the Immediate Past Chairman of the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) and serves on the board of the Singapore Maritime Foundation. He is Co-Chair, Steering Committee and Chair, Private Sector Advisory Group, Clean Energy Marine Hubs; an alliance between the International Chamber of Shipping and The Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM). He is also Chairman of the global ambassador programme for the Mission to Seafarers and an ambassador for WISTA Singapore. He co-chaired the Singapore Tripartite Advisory Panel for a Future-Ready Maritime Workforce and was elected as Director to the Members’ Committee of the UK P&I Club, one of the world’s largest maritime mutual liability insurers.

Jeremy Sutton – CEO at Swire Shipping

Jeremy Sutton is Chief Executive Officer of Swire Shipping. He took on the role in August 2022, having previously held the position of Chief Operating Officer.

Jeremy is a New Zealander, and industry veteran, with more than 25 years of experience in diverse roles in the shipping and transportation industry in Asia, New Zealand and the USA. Jeremy joined Tasman Orient Line (a Swire subsidiary) in New Zealand in 2006 before moving to Singapore in 2008 and over the past 20 years has held various management roles with Swire Shipping.

Based in Singapore, Jeremy is a Board Member with the NorthStandard P&I Club, Singapore Maritime Foundation and World Shipping Council, and also serves as Trustee and Director of the Mission to Seafarers.