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Erle Kristin Wagle's Blue MBA Journey: Driving $50M in Savings and Cutting CO2 Emissions

Erle Kristin Wagle, Director of Maritime Strategy and Business Development at Mintra, shares her transformative journey through the CBS Executive MBA in Shipping and Logistics programme at Copenhagen Business School. Through the Blue MBA, Wagle achieved remarkable milestones, including contributing to a $50 million annual fuel saving for her employer and significantly reducing CO2 emissions.

Executive MBA in Shipping and Logistics

Erle Kristin Wagle has spent over 25 years navigating the complexities of the maritime industry. Beginning her career in the mid-90s, she has worked with major shipowners like Teekay, Bergesen and BW, holding various positions in commercial operations and technical management. Despite her extensive experience, she realised that advancing further in her career required more than a bachelor's degree. "I needed to enhance my strategic and managerial skills," Wagle recalls, "which led me to explore different master's programmes."

Choosing the Blue MBA

In 2006, as a member of WISTA (the Women's International Shipping and Trade Association), Wagle participated in a trip to Copenhagen Business School (CBS). There, Irene Rosberg, Programme Director of the Blue MBA, introduced her and a group of Norwegian shipping ladies to the programme. The presentation left a lasting impression on Wagle. "The programme's comprehensive focus on the entire maritime value chain and its practical approach resonated deeply with me," she says. Upon returning home, she shared her desire to enrol in the Blue MBA with her employer, who agreed to sponsor her. However, her plans were temporarily delayed when she became pregnant with twins.

Eventually, in 2009, Wagle began the Blue MBA programme when her twins were two years old. Despite the challenges of balancing personal and professional responsibilities, the programme's structure and support from her company and family made it manageable. "It allowed me to balance my personal and professional life more effectively," she notes. This marked the beginning of a transformative journey for her.

One of the most compelling reasons Wagle chose the Blue MBA was the high calibre of the lecturers.

“The programme includes renowned experts who have literally written the books on shipping strategy. Irene Rosberg's exceptional ability to attract the best minds in the industry to the programme is invaluable. The practical insights and expertise these lecturers brough were not just about theory; they were about learning from those with substantial real-world experience.”

Erle Kristin Wagle

Director of Maritime Strategy and Business Development at Mintra, Blue MBA Alumni - Class of 2011

***Headshot photo by Agnes Etienne, Mintra

Having these top industry professionals as lecturers was a major draw for her.

The educational experience

The Blue MBA broadened Wagle's perspective on the maritime industry. "It provided me with a comprehensive understanding of areas I was previously less familiar with, such as maritime law and ship finance," she explains. The curriculum, covering the entire value chain of the industry, was highly valuable. Practical assignments after each module allowed for in-depth exploration of each topic and working in diverse groups on these assignments exposed her to a variety of opinions and approaches.

The insights she gained at CBS have been instrumental in shaping her career. "The focus on energy management, sustainability, and environmental performance has been particularly relevant," she says. The comprehensive understanding of these areas and the strategic thinking developed during the programme have been pivotal in her professional journey. "Graduating with flying colours from the Blue MBA has been a significant strength on my resume and has greatly influenced my career path," Wagle asserts.

Master thesis: Saving $50 million and a reduction of 300,000 tons of CO2 emissions

One of the most impactful projects she worked on during the program was her master thesis, or the Integrated Strategy Project (ISP). She focused on the strategic importance of maritime energy management, which became a gateway to expertise in maritime energy efficiency and green technologies.

"My employer at the time, BW Group, was so impressed with my findings that they established a dedicated project organisation to implement them. This initiative led to an annual fuel saving of $50 million and a reduction of 300,000 tons of CO2 emissions."

The project involved a combination of operational changes, technical improvements, crew training, and the implementation of digital technologies to optimise performance and efficiency.

This multifaceted project integrated digital technology with operational and technical enhancements. "We collected data from ships, digitalised certain functions, and implemented operational changes like weather routing, trim optimisation, and effective use of the autopilot," she explains. They also focused on technical aspects such as monitoring the condition of the hull and propeller and ensuring the correct utilisation of engines and generators. The project led to a cultural change in the company, ensuring that our staff onboard and ashore always had their minds tuned in on energy efficiency. "The collective impact of these initiatives was substantial, resulting in significant cost savings and environmental benefits," Wagle says.

The network and continuous learning

The network Wagle built during the Blue MBA has been incredibly valuable. "Recently, I reached out to Ian Revell, one of the CBS coaches who is now the CEO of SIGTTO, for advice on competence requirements for crew on LNG Carriers" she shares. Having access to such a network of industry leaders and experts is crucial in the maritime field. "The relationships and trust built through the Blue MBA continue to be a significant asset," Wagle notes.

The maritime industry, traditionally conservative, is now experiencing rapid changes, especially with the green shift. New technologies, propulsion systems, and alternative fuels are emerging, necessitating new competencies and training. "My work on crew competence and ensuring the world’s seafarers stay abreast of these developments feels very meaningful," she says.

Looking ahead, Wagle is excited about continuing her education at CBS, as she will be joining the Blue Board Leadership programme in December. "In our industry, learning never stops, and the Blue Board leadership courses represent the next step for me," she says. There is a notable lack of women on maritime boards, although this is gradually improving. Wagle is hopeful that the Blue Board programme will help her gain important positions at the board level.

"Finally, I would like to give a big thanks to Irene Rosberg, not only for her contribution the Blue MBA, but to the whole industry and for being such a great mentor. The Blue MBA was an exceptional programme and a truly transformative experience for me. I'm excited to see where the Blue Board Leadership programme takes me next."

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Building a global future

Erle Kristin Wagle's Blue MBA Journey: Driving $50M in Savings and Cutting CO2 Emissions

"My employer at the time, BW Group, was so impressed with my findings that they established a dedicated project organisation to implement them. This initiative led to an annual fuel saving of $50 million and a reduction of 300,000 tons of CO2 emissions."

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