The Last Dinosaur - Maritime Shipping In the Digital Age

Episode Summary
In episode 80 of The Last Dinosaur: Maritime Shipping in the Digital Age, I sit down with Carl King, the founder, producer, and editor of Seafarer Social. Seafarer Social is more than just a podcast; it's a maritime marketing agency dedicated to giving seafarers a voice and helping maritime businesses connect with their labor market. Carl shares his unique journey from a non-maritime background to becoming a pivotal figure in maritime marketing, all thanks to a simple start on LinkedIn. We dive into his first-hand experiences in Manila, where he led marketing efforts for PropelMe, a seafarer-focused app, and how this ignited his passion for the seafaring community.

Carl discusses the challenges and opportunities within the industry, from the rise of seafarer influencers to the impact of social media on maritime life. He also highlights the darker side of seafaring, such as the struggles with job scarcity and training costs, and the potential downsides of increased connectivity, including targeted gambling and the mental toll of comparing seafarer life to "normal" life on shore. Tune in to explore how Carl's work is helping to shape the future of maritime marketing and support the well-being of seafarers worldwide.

Highlights

• Carl King’s journey from a non-maritime background to founding Seafarer Social.
• The pivotal LinkedIn post that led Carl to maritime marketing.
• Carl's first experience with seafarers in Manila and the impact on his career.
• How social media is changing the maritime industry, and why it's often overlooked by corporations.
• The rise of seafarer influencers and their role in the industry.
• The positive and negative impacts of increased connectivity for seafarers.
• The challenges faced by seafarers, including job scarcity and the cost of training.
• The importance of recognizing and supporting seafarers' mental health.

Links & Resources

• Seafarer Social

Closing Remarks
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