Executive MBA in Shipping and Logistics

About the CBS Blue MBA

World-class industry reputation

A holistic view of the shipping industry

Cutting-edge & Competitive

The Blue MBA provides great insight into essential aspects of the shipping and logistics industry. It gives an insightful overview of the industry and delves deeply into fundamentals like the key drivers, opportunities and risks for the various players in the industry. With world-class teaching staff and senior participants from many parts of the industry, it is a dynamic learning experience coupling theory and practice in interaction.

Next intake: September 2023

A unique holistic approach to shipping and logictics

Grooming the next generation of leaders

The ideal education for shipping and logictics professionals

Reach the top with the CBS Blue MBA

A unique industry needs a unique MBA

Join one of the top shipping and maritime professionals networks and study alongside inspiring leaders from around the globe. Our unrivalled MBA programme is designed for high-potential shipping professionals.
The Executive MBA in Shipping &amp; Logistics (AKA: The Blue MBA) will take you to the top international level in business administration, reflecting the needs of the industry in a world where globalisation, enhanced competition and the speed of technological change place ever-increasing demands on executive management skills.

THE #1 WOMAN IN SHIPPING 

Irene Rosberg, our CBS Blue MBA programme director, has been named the #1 woman in shipping: "We proved that we can indeed go beyond welcoming only people with a technical background, which might have excluded some women, and create an all-inclusive executive education with a level playing field for women who will be groomed as the upcoming leaders for the industry. By championing diversity, the Blue MBA is supporting our female colleagues to take their rightful place at the helm of the industry, ensuring they have a platform from which to build successful and rewarding careers.

THE BLUE MBA IN 60 SECONDS

The Blue MBA

Executive MBA in Shipping & Logistics Logistics

World-recognised qualification

International outlook, Scandinavian values.

<h6 class="subtitle-1">Tomorrow’s business leaders will need all the skills that create, grow and run successful organisations today. And much, much more.</h6>
Our three MBA programmes are built on proven practices that have stood the test of time through sustainability and innovation. Combined with a modern and collaborative leadership approach based on trust, teamwork and respect for the individual.
With Copenhagen Business School, opportunities are boundless. That’s why we’re one of only a few MBA programmes worldwide to be <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.cbs.dk/en/about-cbs/profile/accreditations-and-rankings" target="_blank">triple-crown-accredited</a>.

A modern and collaborative leadership approach.

<h6>We’ll connect you with the very best.</h6>
All three programmes benefit from access to Denmark’s many and vibrant clusters of excellence. Plus the longest-running and most extensive alumni network in Scandinavia.
Move forward with an MBA built around deep business knowledge and creative thinking. All designed to stretch your mind and challenge your perspectives.

We adapt our programmes in response to current global realities. Our programmes are transformative and highly relevant, we elevate professionals and organisations. Graduates are equipped with holistic business knowledge and a vast, reliable network to navigate challenges and recognise opportunity.

Our MBAs 

The Full-Time MBA

The Executive MBA

The Executive MBA in Shipping and Logistics 

Executive Certificates

If you find the EMBA programme the right mid-career development for you but are not able to commit to two years of consecutive studies up front, we also offer our outstanding executive education through a certificate path. We offer flexibility so you can choose the right time for you to start. Complete each freestanding term, receive an Executive Certificate and then choose if or when you wish to move on to the next. <a href="/en/mba/programmes/executive-certificates" title="Executive Certificates">Discover the Executive Certificates.</a>

Join one of Europe's largest business schools

CBS has been providing lifelong learning and cutting-edge education for business leaders who want to take their careers to the next level for over a century.

A global MBA Alumni Society

With the longest-running and most extensive international MBA alumni network in Scandinavia, CBS is committed to providing you with opportunities for creating lifelong professional relationships as well as continued learning and personal development through business events and social gatherings.

A global industry, a worldwide network

When you study at CBS, you will be choosing to study alongside industry professionals from a variety of job roles and locations. The Blue MBA Alumni Association was established as a membership group for all graduated and current students of the programme. But this alumni association is different from other networks to which you might belong because all of the association's members have one thing in common: a similar mind-set about how to look at the many challenges faced in the shipping arena.

Join our upcoming events 

The Copenhagen MBA Webinar - How To Become A Responsible Leader & Make An Impact: Feb 09

The Executive MBA Information Meeting: March 09

The Copenhagen MBA Open Day: March 04

Copenhagen: An ideal city to learn & live

Sustainable business practices 

Green city 

Buzzing business hub 

Excellent safety and security

MBA programmes

Full Time MBA

Full-time MBA

Executive MBA

MBA Programmes

My industry is 10 years behind in digitalisation

As a Regional Team Leader, Operations DK with <a rel="noopener" href="https://torm.com/" target="_blank">Torm A/S</a>, Kjaer appreciates intelligent systems and digitalisation. Torm A/S runs a product tanker fleet carrying gasoline, naphtha, diesel, and jet fuel.
“The shipping industry has failed to embrace of the opportunities to adapt business processes to digital technologies. I think my industry is 10 years behind in digitalisation,” says Kjaer.
“Vessels are only now getting fully online with live chat functions and video calls, and we still have paper bills of lading in three originals – originating from back in the days when these were transported by horse, pigeon post or at sea.”
“We live in a world where most people can use smartphones, so it’s baffling that we don’t see more iPads and tablets being used on board for documenting technical matters, reporting timesheets, or connecting ship and shore. From an operational perspective, it is now important to build the the connection between ship and shore. A key focus in the industry is moving its optimising voyages through digitalisation.”
Kjaer has been running operations in the shipping industry for over 15 years. The last eight of which has been as a Senior Operations Manager – she has recently been promoted to Regional Team Leader, Operations DK. She chose to enrol in the <a href="/en/mba/programmes/executive-mba-in-shipping-and-logistics/blue-mba-posts" title="Blue MBA Posts">Blue MBA</a> because she felt accomplished in her personal life, and felt the desire to pursue more challenges in career. She completed a mini-MBA in 2016 which gave her a taste of what real MBA could be in the long run.
“<a href="/en/mba/programmes/executive-mba-in-shipping-and-logistics" title="Executive MBA in Shipping and Logistics">The Blue MBA</a> was the perfect choice; it’s given me the opportunity to dive deeper in this industry, expand my network among essential professionals in the industry, and utilise my expertise from the past 15 years to give something back to my company which has invested so much in me (now also with this MBA journey).”
So how will the Blue MBA support Kjaer in her career motivation to modernise the industry?
For starters, the shipping industry is notorious for being a male-dominated industry.

There is a need for female leaders and role models for the next generation to come in this industry. I anticipate that the Blue MBA will give me the competences and confidence to climb this ladder and achieve my goal of being a leader. The Blue MBA is my step towards the next job-title.

Digitalising the industry requires participation from all positions across the industry and Kjaer is a key player. She runs advanced support systems, such as maritime software provider Veson’s IMO’s Platform, and she is a “super user” – meaning that all related commercial trouble-shooting, upgrades, testing of new features, and attending related courses for the platform are essential aspects of her role.
For the past eight years, she has been commercially responsible for the VIP support system.
“I support our worldwide operations departments in using the system correctly and getting the most out of it, and ensure it is customised to the needs of our organisation. This super user role also requires that I have a certain curiosity in learning new features and examining the existing ones to optimise the system to our needs.”
“The system is only as good as the input is – so it’s up to our commercial team to get the correct data into the system,” she underlines. “The system is then capable of handling the data in various ways and providing valuable output on the other end. A daily workflow would be for example – the chartering department runs calculations for a voyage of a particular vessel; once fixed, the voyage budget is then passed on to the operations department so that it can process the entire voyage. Once the voyage is complete, the system has an expansive amount of data which can provide statistics on future budgets, how to optimise the performance of the vessel, time management, etc. There really is no limit to the amount of data we pull from the system and we operate a fleet of 80 vessels that perform more than 600 voyages a year.”
“It’s important to note that the system also connects numerous stakeholders on the voyage. Our operations department is the key manager of the system and responsible for validating the input so that the output for the various stakeholders is reliable as well as useable. The system is the foundation for commercial data collection in the company.”
Kjaer says, “For me, no two days are alike and handling the operations of several vessels requires a lot of post-its and to-do-lists to make sure crucial things are not forgotten. Stakeholders are informed in a timely manner and budgets are adjusted correctly.”
“The VIP system can be thought of as my ‘wingman,’ because it’s a place where I can create a reminder to prepare a freight invoice for the customer prior to the ship reaching the final destination on its voyage or where I can have automatic reminders whenever a vessel calls at, for instance, West Africa to make sure all operators across the company inform our security department, so we are well prepared both commercially and onboard the vessel.”
“I can also update the status of a port so that the crewing department can confirm flight tickets for the next crew to board or search for historic port expenses based on all our previous calls at a particular port.”
“When I started as a trainee I would keep track of these things in a notebook – but today the system allows us to share knowledge across the world.”
Kjaer trained with Clipper Tankers, Copenhagen, a company which these days is part of MOL Chemical Tankers, Copenhagen, and she later became an operations manager with Nordic Tankers (USA) LLC, Stamford, and managed that company’s largest contract of affreightment for the trans-Atlantic trade and the operation of several parcel tankers in the Caribbean. She moved to Torm A/S in January of 2014, and she has intensified the all-round commitment so vital to her command of IT capabilities today. Kjaer aims to be a leader in the industry and to increase and modernise with digitalisation.
<a rel="noopener" href="https://allaboutshipping.co.uk/2022/02/08/the-50-inspiring-champions-of-the-blue-mba-class-of-2023-meet-liv-kjaer/" target="_blank">This feature was adapted from it’s original publication in All About Shipping.</a>

Request our brochure

You might also be interested in:

Danish operations manager Liv Kjaer knows that that the shipping industry is lagging behind other sectors when it comes to digitalisation. Through her senior role at a leading product tanker, she leads from the front with advocacy of modern techniques and through the educational path of the Blue MBA

The ideal education for leaders of the maritime industry

The maritime industry accounts for approximately 90% of the world’s global trade and it is evolving faster than ever. It plays a pivotal role in the global economy at large. While it is one of the most efficient modes of transport, it is still responsible for an increasing amount of greenhouse gas emissions and if it continues on its projected path, it will undermine the Paris Agreement framework.
Outside of the pressure to move towards a greener future, the effects of the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, natural disaster, and inflation are exacerbating the rate of change in the industry. So how do shipping and logistics professionals equip themselves to embrace and navigate the inherent challenges and change ahead?
AN IDEAL EDUCATION
For many, pursuing an Executive MBA is undeniably the best route and <a href="/en/mba/programmes/executive-mba-in-shipping-and-logistics" title="Executive MBA in Shipping and Logistics">Copenhagen Business School’s Executive MBA in Shipping and Logistics</a> is recognised to be the foremost programme to address the challenges in the maritime industry. <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/irene-rosberg-68a8613/" target="_blank">Irene Rosberg</a>, the Programme Director, shapes the educational track of the Blue MBA so that the leaders who pass through its doors will act with agility and harness innovation.
“For me, this has never been a job – it has been a passion,” says Irene Rosberg.
Her educational background was in the maritime education and research, pair that with her connections across the industry and it comes to no surprise that she was head-hunted to launch the programme from its inception in 2001.
With her astute attention to the future of the industry, Irene Rosberg is a preeminent expert serving on many international boards and committees and speaking at essential maritime events – notable recent highlights include addressing the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.pi-sf22.com/" target="_blank">22nd Parliamentary Intelligence Security Forum</a> in Bucharest on the Role of Maritime Transportation in Food Security, launching M-Now (The Maritime Network of Women) where she serves as the President, and consecutively being voted the <a rel="noopener" href="https://allaboutshipping.co.uk/2022/02/18/the-www-allaboutshipping-co-uk-100-top-women-in-shipping-for-2021/" target="_blank">#1 Woman in Shipping</a> via British shipping newspaper, All About Shipping.
“I believe one of the major lessons to be learned is the need to lean much more on technology and develop ways of harnessing it to achieve sustainable goals. Digitalisation is moving at great speed and will take over almost everything we do in this industry, and it will certainly require skill sets beyond the traditional seafaring abilities,” says Irene Rosberg.
Digitalisation, innovation, and sustainable leadership are woven throughout each of the modules of the programme and the breadth and diversity of the Blue MBA education is what makes it paramount; participants gain a holistic view of shipping to become the leaders of the future. The learning modules of the Blue MBA include Accounting and International Economics, Shipping as a Business and a Market, Supply Chain Management, International Economics and Market Analysis, Ship Knowledge, the Maritime Legal Framework, Operations Management and Information Technology, Investment Analysis, Risk Management, and Finance, International Marketing, Organisation, and Managing Strategy and Change, and Leadership and Personal Development.
While the Blue MBA’s curriculum primes its graduates to lead from a holistic standpoint, its location in the world also contributes to its competitive edge. Denmark is a front-runner of the <a rel="noopener" href="https://investindk.com/set-up-a-business/maritime" target="_blank">maritime ecosystem</a> due to a high concentration of premier shipping and offshore maritime companies and services, a highly competent maritime workforce, and world-leading energy efficient ship design. It is no wonder that approximately 75% of the class are <a href="https://mba-blog-cbs.dk/blue-mba/houston-to-copenhagen-completely-worth-it/">international participants</a>.
THE PEOPLE OF THE BLUE MBA
With her expansive network Irene Rosberg, ushers in the global talent that elevates the educational experience and strengthens the longstanding <a href="/en/mba/programmes/executive-mba-in-shipping-and-logistics/reach-the-top/inspiring-leaders-wsdxc" title="Inspiring leaders">Blue MBA Alumni Association</a>.
“The Blue MBA gives an insightful overview of the industry and delves deeply into fundamentals like the key drivers, opportunities and risks for the various players in the industry. With world-class teaching staff and senior participants from many parts of the industry, it is a dynamic learning experience coupling theory and practice in interaction,” says Bo Cerup-Simonsen, Chief Executive Officer at Mærsk Mc-Kinnney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping and class of 2009 alum.
Other recognisable figures to have graduated the programme include Capt. Prashant S. Widge – Head of Responsible Ship Recycling at Maersk, Charlotte Røjgaard – Global Head of Marine Fuel Services at Bureau Veritas Verifuel, Reynir Gislason – President &amp; CEO of International Freight Shipping SAC, Amado Mabasso – Chairman of the Board of Director of 12A Investimontos, and Thomas Bek, Chief Operating Officer of Blue Water Shipping.

People are the key, no matter how much you digitalise. It’s important to invest in the people who are going to be running this industry – and it is important that we see people gain the right skill sets to do the work and stay ahead of the game. I recruit cohorts as diverse as possible, both geographically and industry specific, and I help bridge the gender gap by encouraging female participants.

In the Blue MBA classroom, participants represent a wide range of the industry which include ship owners and operators, logistic professionals, port operators, naval architects, equipment makers, ship brokers, lawyers and financiers.
“This diversity brings a different dynamic in the classroom which is second to none,” she says. “People not only learn from their professors and lecturers but also from each other. This is an industry which has grown from what it was 20 years ago and it is not enough if you are an expert in one niche area. It is very important that you have a holistic view of what is happening in the industry.”
<a rel="noopener" href="https://bluembaalumni.com/" target="_blank">The Blue MBA Alumni Association</a> is a lifelong and vast network of shipping and logistics professionals. Having this network in the back-pocket, means participants can connect with and draw on each other to navigate a complex and uncertain future – well after they toss their graduation caps in the air.

The Executive MBA in Shipping and Logistics, also known as the Blue MBA, is developing key professionals that will lead the sector towards a greener and sustainable future.

Your network is your net worth

“I’ve only been in the shipping industry for the last 12-13 years; my career before that was in automotive engineering. I’ve always been a fan of technology and I entered the maritime industry because I began working on retrofits on the bridges of ships, followed by ballast water treatment projects and then engine room equipment.
“When I began working in shipping, the puzzle of what to do with my career came together for me; I know my skillset and I know what I don’t like doing and the Blue MBA only solidified that realisation.
“I found myself working with a maritime company called Safebridge and it was around then that I started looking into the Blue MBA. I had some very good friends in Germany and Denmark that I knew through business, and they had both finished the programme and encouraged me to take it on. I started looking into different MBAs across the world.
“I could have studied a more general MBA elsewhere, but it made sense to go to CBS not just for the shipping but for the networking. My employer understood that the course would benefit their business also, and the journey started.
“And then the pandemic hit, and I found myself without a job.”
Networking melting-pot
“I soon realised, however, that I had made so many valuable connections at CBS that I had to take advantage of them. Your network is your net worth and so I made some calls and got offered some better opportunities; the most promising one was from <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/ocean-technologies-group/" target="_blank">OTG</a> and I’ve been with them since August 2020.
“Today, I know I have the backing of not just my fellow alumni, but my tutors. Irene [Rosberg, Programme Director] does an excellent job, if we need anything we can just give her a call. We remain in contact now and can chat to catch up, to discuss business matters, or to organise presentations for the new classes.

In my role, networking is crucial for me. I’ve found that if you’ve got an established network then you’ll already have the door open within the companies that you’re trying to build relationships with.

“People in this industry move around all the time and, because of the network, when they move they call you. It’s part of offering a good product and service. It’s the same in any business. The difference in shipping is that it’s a more closed circle industry. That’s not to say that it is old fashioned, it’s just a little exclusive. And this makes it very territorial, with leads being divided based on location.”
Family bond
“Today, I very much still keep in touch with my student network; we have a WhatsApp group and we can ask questions and everyone will pitch in and reply. Plus, we are all travelling and so we catch up with each other wherever we can – I’ve already had three people from the class visiting Cyprus, either for business or pleasure. It’s good to share and to stay in contact and I know that anywhere in the world there will be relevant contacts. It’s a family bond. All this interaction brings a lot of opportunities.
“It’s not a university where you get lost. It’s designed so that you create bonds for life.
“I’m very grateful that I had the opportunity and the support to go to CBS. I recently met some colleagues in London for the first time in a while and they were excited that I had completed the Blue MBA. I had the same excitement before joining and I told them that if they’d like any information on how to enrol to just let me know…”
Becoming an ambassador
“In fact, I really feel that Copenhagen Business School offers something extraordinary and that’s why I wanted to become an ambassador. It’s niche, but there is no other executive MBA offering what CBS does in our industry.
“We had people on my course from Mexico to Australia and they were drawn from a range of professions including a lawyers, a warship stabiliser expert, marine superintendents, managing directors and shipowners. We all developed great relationships over the two years we worked together – which is something very special.”

With a background in automotive engineering, Yiannis Pastellas undertook the Blue MBA, became confident of his skillset, made lasting relationships – and found a new role when he needed it most.

The Blue MBA is accessible for people in my region

“Latterly, my working life has centred around shipping and logistics and as Chairman and partner at <a rel="noopener" href="http://www.i2afund.com/default.asp.html" target="_blank">I2A</a>, we are undergoing an immense project to set up a huge dry port in the centre of Mozambique that will connect two railways and two ports. It’s located about 900km from Port of Nacala and 600km from Port of Beira.
“I realised that I needed a better grasp of knowledge specific to maritime and logistics, and so I decided to take the Blue MBA programme at Copenhagen Business School.”
From Mozambique to Copenhagen
“To settle on CBS, I looked at several schools and sought advice from various people I knew and respected, and when I saw the brochure I decided it was the course for me. It suited me particularly in terms of the timings and the structure; I wasn’t able to do a full-time MBA, so the opportunity to study part-time was perfect. But ultimately, the main reason I chose CBS was because of the quality of the programme.
“While Copenhagen is a long way from Mozambique, the air connections weren’t too bad, and it was a pleasure to meet people on the programme from all over the world. The networking opportunities are excellent and I’m still in touch with many people from the Blue MBA which is absolutely invaluable to me as we now do business together and share our experiences.”
Blue MBA
“Of course, there were some aspects raised in the programme that I was already aware of, but it was very helpful to delve deeper and find out what is new in those areas. Ours is an industry that is evolving, and it has been good to get to grips with the extent of the changes and how they will influence the future.
“Irene [Rosberg] as programme director was excellent and I found the interaction with companies in Denmark, the UK and Germany to be an especially valuable experience.”
“The Blue MBA has been instrumental to my work especially in terms of planning. I wrote my thesis on the dry port that we are outlining now and many of the issues of shipping design and organisation itself were easily resolved once I implemented what I had learnt during the Blue MBA – mostly in terms of negotiation. There was also the outstanding planning sequence for shipping and logistics that was set out in the programme as I still follow these steps in my business today.”
Industry changes
“Nowadays it’s not easy to predict the future. When we started planning the dry port implementation here there were several projects along the corridor that had to stop because of Covid. But now we are getting back on track. As expected, we are still noticing a few things being done differently, but I’m confident that things will slowly return to the way they were before.
“Also, I expect that wider changes to the industry such as digitalisation and sustainability will have a delayed effect for us here in Mozambique. At the moment these things don’t have much of an influence on my work because we have been working very much on the ground, in the thick of it. But now that I am travelling around the world again, I can see the positive influence of these things, and I’m sure it won’t be too long until that impact starts to be felt here also!”
Spreading awareness

I’m a great distance from Denmark but it is incredibly important for people to realise that the Blue MBA is accessible for people in my region. The people I work with every day have such exceptional knowledge, awareness and experience in shipping and logistics, and I know that they would excel if they took the Blue MBA. It’s part of the reason why I became a Blue MBA ambassador – I’m passionate about getting more people involved.

“So whenever there is a networking opportunity or I’m in a position where I can talk about shipping and logistics, I always emphasise that my location or situation didn’t hinder me at all when studying at CBS. In fact, it has had such a positive influence on where I am today and where I want to be tomorrow.
“I sincerely hope that soon we have some more people from Mozambique studying at CBS and I’ll help in any way I can to make it happen. That’s what being an ambassador is all about; spreading awareness, opening doors and emphasising the accessibility of the programme.
“My peers and the people that I deal with every day have got so much to offer. I am sure that they would thrive at CBS – and I know that they would bring back fresh ideas, added drive and a forward-looking mindset.”

Mozambique-based Amado Mabasso reflects on his experience undertaking the CBS Blue MBA. Despite the distance Amado studied at CBS to get more involved in the shipping and logistics industry and specify his knowledge.

One of the best investments I've ever made in my life

“I studied nautical science in Mumbai and graduated with the President’s Gold medal. I then worked for Seaarland Shipping Management and Maersk, sailing on various ships, and while learning at sea is different and extensive (I went to get a Master Mariner’s license), I realised that I needed to learn more if I wanted to achieve all my ambitions.
“I had Copenhagen Business School in the back of my mind because I had previously completed a module at CBS as part of Maersk’s MAESTRO course, which is Maersk’s internal talent development program. The course was set up across different global business schools and it was during the finance module that I came into contact with CBS.
“In fact, Irene Rosberg [Programme Director] ran that finance module and she helped me to realise that there is so much more to shipping. While managing the commercial operations of the Maersk LNG fleet I realized that I needed to expand my business skillset and acquire more tools to reach higher parts of management. So I contacted Irene and was selected for the Blue MBA in 2011. The journey was amazing. And it was one of the best investments I’ve ever made in my life.”
After the programme
“It was midway through the MBA that I got a call about a role that involved heading up commercial operations for Norgas in Singapore and developing their Small-Scale LNG Business. At my interview they were very impressed by my decision to invest in myself (in taking up the Blue MBA) and offered me the Vice President (Operations) position. I can directly attribute that job offer to the Blue MBA, as it demonstrated that I was willing to invest in myself and that I possessed a drive to succeed, whatever the cost. I was later very well supported by Norgas management during the remaining part of my MBA program.”
Travel
“I took the job, and it followed that I had to complete my studies with CBS while travelling from Singapore. It was tough as I had very little time for my family and the last part of the Blue MBA – the integrated strategy project (ISP) – was particularly challenging. I worked really hard, but it was incredibly rewarding. As part of my ISP, I was able to research and propose a new way of working for the business. And it was an amazing success – we later implemented the business as envisioned in my ISP and created a revenue stream worth 0.5m US$.

It was so fulfilling to know that I’d managed to directly use the MBA to help my company to excel in their business. I’d both advanced my career and my company thanks to the programme.

Being an ambassador
“After the MBA, I continued to meet with Irene from time to time to discuss how we can help the programme to gain visibility in my part of the world, and in 2020 she asked if I could be their ambassador in Singapore. I’d gained so much from the MBA, and so of course I said absolutely I would be glad to help. The idea was that if there are candidates who want to join or have questions about the process, then I could give them guidance.
“It is really gratifying. For example, last year I recommended the Blue MBA to a friend of mine who wasn’t satisfied with his job. He had concerns about costs, but I encouraged him to explain to his boss how the programme would benefit his company.
“Together we made a presentation about the Blue MBA assignments and evidenced that you can solve real world problems with the knowledge that you acquire on the programme. After receiving this presentation, his company said they would pay for his travel for the MBA program and half the cost of his studies. And later, he was also promoted to General Manager. That was one of my high points as an ambassador. It brought me great satisfaction and truly made me understand that you can make a real difference to people’s lives.
“Ultimately, business leaders want to see that their employees are loyal, dynamic, growth oriented and forward thinking. If they can see an employee endeavouring to develop themselves, then they will surely invest in the growth and personal advancement of that employee. The Blue MBA at CBS is a very industry specific programme, and you can give back to your company after studying.”
Driving industry changes
“The industry is changing rapidly, and I am proud to be part of driving this change, especially when it comes to lowering emissions from ships. My company today is focused on LNG bunkering, which is at the forefront of sustainability, lowering CO2 emissions and eliminating SOx and Particulate Matter emissions from ship’s exhausts – and I can honestly say that the Blue MBA helped me with the latest industry thinking.
“The programme is not like out-of-date book learning, it’s grounded in the here and now. The professors all have the pulse of the industry, as they’re currently working in shipping and logistics, so you get a really good sense of real-world problems and solutions.
“Should you do a Blue MBA? The answer from me is always yes – do it – there is always something to invest in so it’s best to invest in yourself.”

Blue MBA ambassador Saunak Rai – Head of FueLNG – reflects on his experience at CBS. After many years at sea, Saunak endeavored to broaden his knowledge of shipping and logistics and signed up for the Blue MBA using his own money.

It was about connecting my logistics knowledge more holistically

“The industry’s experiencing an astonishing transition at the moment. We are going through an unprecedented consolidation, especially in container shipping, and this is driven by ecommerce like Alibaba and Amazon. Largely this is a result of Covid, which drove an anomalous fluctuation of demand. It is very exciting but having to adapt as an industry is remarkable.
“The Blue MBA has enabled me to deal with this shifting landscape more pragmatically, otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to see ahead or see what is coming so effectively. It’s like driving down the road at 200km per hour and being able to brake at the right time, it gives you this advanced understanding that is very valuable. Time is money in our business and being able to adjust to change is a matter of survival.”
Blue MBA

I met Irene Rosberg – the programme director – in Beijing after a transport and logistics show, and then I started thinking it would be nice to brush up on my knowledge in the industry. I thought the Blue MBA in Copenhagen could be interesting for me but then I thought to myself; Jesus Christ I haven’t been in school for 35 years or more!

“I decided to join the programme and at 47 I was the oldest in class by far but I was also the most experienced person. I had to consider; is this knowledge that I need; is it relevant to what I’m doing; what value will this add to me? But I really dove into it and I did well, it was an absolutely amazing experience.”
Reinvigorating a role
“I found out early on, maybe after the first assignment, that the programme would be unbelievably valuable to me as it would connect my knowledge of different aspects in logistics. It gave me a helicopter view and allowed me to understand the sector in a much more comprehensive way – a holistic way you might say. I developed an awareness of how the industry connects with one another and it added a lot of value to what I already know.
“As a result of the course I was able to develop my business and apply the skills that I had acquired. Especially on the marketing side. We were able to apply some of the strategies that I was learning in case studies. What I enjoyed most was the Harvard review cases; some are so applicable to life and what you’re doing and I picked up on that in my annual management and budget meetings and I always related what I was learning to the company – it was really beneficial.
“It gave me a very good idea on how to expand my business and an enhanced understanding of the values. To me it’s not so much about having worldwide offices, it’s about my relationship with my partners. I have more than 5,000 people that I know personally so in every city around the corner I have a friend with the same business model and the same services as mine and we can engage in transportation and logistics with each-other in a safe way. The Blue MBA really gives you the comfort either to make your business stronger or to expand it, you learn both ways whether its mergers and acquisitions or maritime finance…”
Representing the programme
“Being an ambassador gives me an opportunity to represent the programme. My business is based from Lima Peru and we are the fifth largest freight forwarding company in this part of the world. But South America is a very underrepresented market in the MBA so I sought to introduce people to the course. For example, when I meet with forwarders I can find good candidates and encourage them to join the Blue MBA. As ambassadors we are basically helping Irene to bring visibility to the programme.
“But I’m not done. The way I see it is that any challenge you see come your way you should always evaluate and if you find you have the strength, time and knowledge to take it on then do it – providing you have time – that’s all what it’s about.”

International Freight Shipping’s Reynir Gislason embarked on the CBS Blue MBA at the age of 47 to further his education and take his business to the next level...

I want to lead innovation and drive new ways of thinking (1)

An expansive career in shipping and logistics
“I’ve been in logistics all my life. Over 30 years, I’ve worked for a variety of logistics businesses across a range of sectors. Most recently, I’ve spent the last six years with the international shipping and logistics company DFDS in multiple locations, currently Istanbul, Turkey. I’ve always been involved in moving cargo of some kind.
“I always regretted that I didn’t follow the academic route into business. I have the typical business background of working up the ladder, starting from a traineeship. Being able to take the time to study the industry at a holistic level was still something I wanted to do.
A dedicated MBA for a unique industry
“I’d been intending to do an MBA for the last five or so years but there was never a period when I felt I could dedicate the time to it. Being away from my family meant that when the pandemic hit, they were unable to move out to Istanbul too. I suddenly found myself with a lot of free time, so I started looking into MBA programmes.
“The standard MBAs didn’t really catch my attention. If you going to spend two years on a programme alongside your job, you really have to be motivated. I reviewed a number of MBA programmes and then discovered the Blue MBA. Irene Rosberg, the Programme Director, is extremely motivated and passionate about the industry.

There is a mentality switch when it comes to writing a paper for the programme. This can be a challenge if you are not from an academic background but there are coaches who are appointed to you. The lecturers are also always on hand and have been very supportive.

A sustainable future
“Generally speaking, we are a very conservative people in the shipping and logistics industry and believe that how we operate is the best way of going about things. Many of us are just doing what we have always done and it’s vital to widen our perspective.
“I would say that we are reluctant, not to learn but some parts of the business are reluctant to see if there are ways to do it better. The urgent need for a sustainable focus and greener solutions will ultimately force our hands. It’s better to be proactive and on the front foot with this kind of industry transformation.
“I’d like to be a part of transformation. Bring innovation and new ways of thinking for a long-term solution in to DFDS. Do the analytics behind it. Review our strategy in certain areas. We all must do better every day.
“It’s been a good first week with a lot of knowledge to take in. I was impressed with the two days of leadership skills and am now looking forward to the rest of the journey.”

You might also be interested in: 

I want to lead innovation and drive new ways of thinking

Having started with CBS in September 2021, Lars Hoffmann, Vice President BU and Head of Business Unit Mediterranean at DFDS, reflects on the first few weeks of the Blue MBA.

Houston to Copenhagen? It's completely worth it

“My background is in vessel operation, having started in the Greek market and working my way up to Senior Operations Manager level in London and Dubai, before taking the General Manager role for DA Desk in the USA.”
Relocation
“I was born and raised in the US, although my parents are Greek, so the idea of relocating to Houston to be closer to the customer base, was a good one. But as it turned out, the timing was not so good. After several delays and difficulties due to Covid, I finally made the move in January 2021.”
Only the best
“During the time I was in limbo, I went back and forth thinking about courses and MBAs; I signed up for something else and then deferred because I just wasn’t sure. But I think it was gut instinct that told me the Blue MBA at Copenhagen was the one for me. It’s top in our industry, I just hoped they would have me. I gave them a call and chatted to Irene [Rosberg – the course director]. I told her about my circumstances, concerned about whether it would work. And I remember her response: “There are different ways to skin a cat, don’t worry!” We agreed in terms of my career it was the right time and while it might be more expensive for me to travel back and forth to Copenhagen rather than choosing an option in the USA, it would almost certainly be the best experience for me. In hindsight it was a no brainer.”
Talented peers
“I’d done a lot of research, but I didn’t really know what to expect from the course. The talent of the alumni that have passed through speaks volumes and to be honest that’s one of the first things I noticed when I joined in September; the talent, but also the humility, among our own cohort. Irene has done an exceptional job of picking the right characters for the programme. Most of the students are already distinguished professionals – just being able to be among them and experience everything with them is thrilling.”
Making sacrifices
“Travelling to Copenhagen from Houston is no mean feat. Sometimes it takes multiple flights and I have to sacrifice family time and time with friends as well as the financial sacrifice that comes from being self-funded. And on top of that I still have to find the time to juggle work while I’m travelling.

But I’m doing it knowingly. I plan to try to be in the classroom as much as possible, because to me, that’s what you pay the money for, it’s not just the knowledge, it’s the experience and meeting people and the opportunity to exchange thought processes with them. I know that many of the classes could be virtual and I would save myself money by dialling in, but it just wouldn’t be the same. There’s a feeling in the room when everyone comes together.

Getting the most out of it
“Right now, I feel it’s time to reinvest in myself and refresh my skills. I still consider myself young, but I have 20+ years of experience behind me. It’s my turn to give back. For me, the MBA is about putting a creative thought process behind those times where I’m sitting at the table with big decision makers. It’s about developing a growth mindset and developing myself personally. That doesn’t necessarily mean I’ll be looking to move to a different company or to change roles soon. But I want the tools to handle more complex issues, both day to day and strategically. The Blue MBA will strengthen me as a person and as a professional during the next stage of my life.
“I’m a firm believer that you can’t know everything in shipping. It’s such a vast industry. You need to be open to opportunities, to other people and to the lessons that come with experience. Coming out of a period where we had so few meaningful interactions with other people it seems strange to be interacting with so many other professionals, plus professors and other faculty staff. That in itself is proving to be an education. I can already see the opportunities that come will come with this and I’m open to them.”
There’s room for everyone in shipping
“In my cohort on the Blue MBA there are maybe 10 women – a ratio of about one to four, which I guess is probably an improvement on years gone by. That’s not a reflection on CBS, but on the industry as a whole. For many years I have been the only woman at the table, but I can see that more women are getting involved, which can only be a good thing. Shipping needs more dynamic women. Not to act as token females in the senior levels but to rise-up organically despite their gender.
“I have never been hindered because I’m a woman in the maritime industry, there is definitely room for everyone.
“The distance from Houston to Copenhagen may be over 7,000 kms, but it’s worth every one of them. I’ve definitely found the right fit for me and I’m excited to see where it leads.”

You might also be interested:

Shipping exec based in Texas, USA, Sofia Drakou has chosen to study for her Blue MBA at CBS – a distance of over 7,000kms. The course requires her to make the round trip to Europe every 10 weeks, but after just a couple of months Sofia believes that the commitment is already …

The Blue MBA helped me transform into a thought leader

“To me, leadership and learning are entwined with one another. After a fulfilling career at sea, in 2012 I came ashore to pursue my constant quest for learning, growth and development opportunities. I continued my career with Maersk in a role aimed at systemising risk and crisis management in the areas of shipboard HSE, security, navigation and cargo management. In 2016, I humbly accepted a role leading the strategic shared-value RSR programme, anchored in the former sustainability function. Working across brands and geographies, my task was to tackle the industry the International Labour Office – the UN’s agency setting standards for workers – termed ‘most dangerous’, with 90% of ships undergoing recycling at sub-standard facilities in South Asia.”
‘Black spot’ industry challenge; leading sustainable change
“In the absence of a global mandatory regulatory framework, ship recycling is a black spot in the shipping value chain. While we knew it would be challenging for one company to change this, we decided to act, and conceived a flagship programme to transform the industry. Over the past five years, through engagement on the ground as a catalyst, we selectively collaborated through relational integration, created a win-win proposition for yards to invest in upgrades and increased transparency in the value chain. As a change agent, I manoeuvred through the complexities of an international political landscape, identifying measures to incentivise the local ship recycling industry to step up and reach international standards. I also convinced shipping stakeholders, local and global NGO groups to play their part.
“The journey has been a high-impact one – from leading high-profile delegations of customers, investors, and top media houses, to joining debates in the EU parliament, communicating our strategic priorities and the impact achieved.
“To date, we have responsibly recycled over 25 ships globally, far exceeding the regulatory framework.”
A generalised-specialist MBA; an ‘outside in’ view

Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere. Academic studies have always been close to my heart and learning has been key throughout my journey.

“After choosing to come ashore in 2012, to spend more time with my young family, I explored the opportunity to enhance my knowledge and perspective tools through an MBA. With the know-how of maritime, shipping, and logistics and its significant role in the global trade, I wanted to leverage my experience and continue pursuing my professional journey in this phenomenal industry.
“Having reviewed shipping education offerings globally, I decided that a century-old triple-accredited CBS-offered Blue MBA was a perfect fit. Offering high-quality executive education, this carefully crafted programme for senior management professionals provided a holistic view of the shipping industry and an opportunity to be part of an unrivalled international network. Ours was a truly global class of 30+ diverse and inclusive leaders learning from the best international experts as well as from each other. While the Integrated Strategy Project (ISP) offered a nuanced approach to apply classroom learnings in the real world.”
Becoming a thought leader
“In 2020, I was appointed the first ambassador of this programme in India with a responsibility to enhance the already strong links between Danish academia and business, and the maritime industry in India. Since then, we have partnered with the Gujarat Maritime University to develop curriculum for its MBA and collaborated with industry stakeholders to increase the focus on ship recycling through its inclusion in the IN-DK Green strategic partnership.
“With global ship recycling volumes projected to double by 2028 and quadruple by 2033, the potential solutions will be driven by increased global demand for scrap to produce carbon profile steel, circularity and reducing carbon emissions. Our push for differentiation based on performance has resonated with investors, with whom we now collaborate to drive industry-specific and metric-driven standards. These focus on financial materiality and enable integration of ESG considerations into investment and stewardship decisions.
“Three focus areas with tremendous potential are managing our workforce with constant care by investing in building and nurturing a diverse and inclusive talent pool, green shipping – sustainability, transparency, ESG and transitioning towards zero emissions – and digitisation.
“The Blue MBA, albeit a challenging assignment to embark on, is one that I would highly recommend to a top-quality maritime professional willing to invest significant efforts in staying ahead of the curve. With the acquired tools and experience, I feel the future is exciting and believe I am well-positioned to meaningfully contribute to our society, community, and the shipping industry at large as it moves into a decisive decade of large-scale sustainable organisational transformation.
“And it’s thought leadership, that I am confident will hold the key.”

Mumbai-born Captain Prashant S. Widge has spent over two decades in the shipping industry, working within multicultural teams across the globe. He believes the Blue MBA at CBS presented him with the toolbox and know-how for driving sustainable value and creating a positive impact.

The Blue MBA is about more than up-to-date knowledge

“I started work in this industry in 2003 as a telecom technician, servicing the radio navigation equipment in the Caspian Shipping Company – a government-owned entity in Baku, Azerbaijan. I later joined a private British company that was more focused on electrical works for offshore oil rigs.”
Industry specialists
“When my friend and line manager left the company, we talked about starting our own business and taking things in a different direction. So that’s what we did in 2010, and presently we have 30+ people in our Baku team with 15 more based in Dubai.
“At <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.marintel.com/" target="_blank">MarinTel</a>, we are dedicated to radio navigation and comms for everything from commercial vessels to navy and coastguard ships. Presently, Marintel running two operations divisions. The original focus was on maritime, radio navigation and telecoms, testing and certification of ship’s equipment. Recently we started to develop a team to concentrate on coastal systems, such as vessel traffic monitoring systems, offshore assets protection and the global maritime distress systems that each vessel within IMO conventions is equipped with.”
Short notice sign-up
“When my business partner, Leo, completed his <a href="/en/mba/programmes/executive-mba-in-shipping-and-logistics" title="Executive MBA in Shipping and Logistics">CBS Blue MBA</a> classes in 2019, I went along to his graduation and met some of the guys on the course. They all tried to convince me to join. I said that I would look through Leo’s materials and then maybe join in two years. ‘But why?’ – they exclaimed, ‘His materials will be out of date and not relevant to you – you’ll be losing two years of opportunity if you wait!’
“I didn’t understand why Leo thought I needed the knowledge too if he is already bringing it to the business. He told me to start, and I would understand. So, I committed to joining the CBS MBA in Shipping &amp; Logistics at the concise notice in August 2019.”
Speaking the same language
“Soon, I realised that Leo was right.

It wasn’t just about the knowledge; we were speaking the same language. When we want to forecast or analyze something, we do it much more efficiently than before CBS. It gave us the logic and background to know how to attack every situation. My leadership and presentation skills have improved – even the way I communicate via email.

“And I’ve been astounded at how up to date the course has been. It’s current, giving insight into the market situation of the moment. We’ve been faced with COVID-19 and all the curves that presents – whether financial, logistical or something else. The pandemic was reflected in the course in real-time, and apart from that, the course has helped me adapt to the pace of change in the shipping industry. That’s a great position to be in.”
Steering the business better
“We are a relatively small company, and while we have 30 more people in the office, communication methods, flexibility, and motivation were never on the agenda. Now we think more about delivering the message and how it will be understood in order to motivate our team. We explain what we want to achieve better, for example. We gather together more, we get good feedback, and we see happy faces. It feels good, and that translates to better-motivated employees.”
Fitting it all in
“The main challenge has been prioritising my time, but by spending half an hour on daily readings, I got myself in good shape. Of course, it depends on your personality, but for me, it’s about ticking the reading and the case studies off chunk by chunk, then it doesn’t feel too heavy.
“The schedule was quite manageable; we met at Copenhagen once every two months for a week. That’s ten modules over the two years. Of course, with COVID-19 travel restrictions, we’ve done only half of them in person, which was not too exciting. But having that start helped us to put a network in place, which was so important for me. We had 44 people with 23 nationalities; that’s a valuable business community connecting me with people from many different parts of the world. Our internal WhatsApp group is live and working daily, with people sharing information and answering questions – and I see no reason that will change.”
What’s next?
“I will graduate this year in August, but the CBS experience has helped me realise the importance of working on myself and updating my grasp of technology. I will take a break first but will then take some more courses. They will be shorter and will have to fit around my family, friends and commitments – perhaps I’ll choose time management or further leadership. I want to stay up to date and keep developing.
“Business-wise, I’ve suggested CBS Blue MBA classes to another person who would benefit from the course – the Marintel UAE GM, he’ll start this year. I’ve been interviewing business partners, customers, ship owners, captains and agents for my different assignments. It’s been exciting, and they also wanted to hear about the programme. Perhaps in the future, more will take it on, but we’re focusing on the stability of the business for the time being.
“As I think my business partner knew, the course is really what I needed right now. Yes, we are running the same business, but our strength is doubled, strengthened by the fact that we both come at it from the same direction now. If you are in a management position in shipping, you have to do the Blue MBA. There are no negative side effects; you will simply gather a lot of knowledge and, more importantly, the know-how to put the theory into practice.”

If it weren’t for his colleagues and friends, Habib Mammadov would not have found his way onto the CBS Blue MBA course in 2019. But it didn’t take him long to realise it was the right thing for not only his business but his personal development too. Find out …

The industry's changing at an incredible pace

“Shipping used to be seen as a cyclical industry, with bursts and microbursts of opportunity that you need to grasp if you want to survive. But we’ve started to see a shift from a more traditional cyclical asset-based mindset to one recognizing that the human side of how the assets are used are increasingly important. Global shipping and logistics is changing more rapidly than anyone anticipated.”
Green shipping
“The biggest challenges currently are around sustainability and green shipping. While new building order books are at an all-time high, mainly fuelled by the lucrative freight market, there is still a question around how to meet 2050 zero emissions targets and the propulsion systems required.
“Just six months ago we were entertaining the use of LNGs, but even in that short time LNG has fallen out of favour, with hydrogen and ammonia becoming the preferred options. Change is happening rapidly across the board, it’s not a regional challenge or a company challenge, it’s one that need resolution on a global industry scale.
“And as opportunities are being flushed out, it’s attracting big capital investors wanting in on the game. It will be interesting to see how it all settles into place as decisions begin to be made.”
A forced change
“We’re also seeing huge change in the way people are employed within the shipping industry, moving away from the traditional approach. Schedules and working hours have become more flexible, requiring a more innovative, creative way of working.
“Perhaps this is thanks to the situation in the past 18 months. Things changed so dramatically so quickly, we had no choice if we wanted to survive as an industry. Sometimes breaking those physical parameters allows us to become more mentally agile. We’ve seen a change of mindset within the industry in a very short time, one that allows for deeper, more transformational conversations.

What’s more this agile business model is becoming recognized as a core competitive differentiator, not just towards clients but employees and other stakeholders, both upstream and downstream in the supply chain.

Increased demand
“Coming out of the pandemic we’re seeing huge demand on shipping. Caused by the lack of transportation capacity impacted by the global slowdown, constraints in the deeper supply chain, increased demand for products and a number of other factors, driving freight rates sky high.
“Inspired by the incredible returns we’re seeing and the realization that the rapid progress within the shipping and maritime industry presents a huge opportunity, we’ve seen an exciting number of mergers and acquisition activities within the industry over the last 6-7 months.”
An MBA toolset
“For the last 6 months that’s what I’ve been involved with, helping private equity to identify target acquisitions, do due diligence and redefine strategies relevant for the emerging opportunities. And in order to confidently do the analysis required I’ve been very much diving back into my <a href="https://mba-blog-cbs.dk/blue-mba/cbs-insider-blue-mba/">Blue MBA</a> toolset.
“One of my motivations for taking the MBA a few years ago, was to expand that specific toolbox. I was becoming exposed to a world that I didn’t quite understand and realized I didn’t have the language to stand up confidently in the room. But now I can and am absolutely able to engage at the level I need to. The timing couldn’t have been better and I also have the benefit of a global network to support me and vice versa.”
The pace of change
“Despite push back from some factions of the industry, when we reflect on the pace of change as a Blue MBA graduate, we welcome it. After all, we went back to add more tools to our toolset specifically because we are the ones out there pushing for change and leading transformation. We recognize that if we don’t disrupt the industry, it won’t move forward. And it needs to be done through conversation and collaboration with stakeholders up and down the value chain.
“I feel I’ve gone full circle being invited in with private equity to discuss target opportunities. But that’s what they’re looking for, maritime professionals to come out and demonstrate a deep level of industry understanding to flush out these opportunities. And they want to identify the target companies who should participate, after all, not all of them are ready, willing and able to transform.”
A crystal ball
“In the short term? The biggest potential comes from digitalisation. In the longer term though, what’s happening around green shipping, sustainability and zero emissions is sure to have a big impact on the way we engineer our ships and re-design the maritime value chain. If we look to history, we have not seen comparable change since we moved from sail to mechanical propulsion so it’s a really interesting time to be in shipping.
“I think also we have to begin to consider the human side of business more across the industry. Both at an executive level – developing as market-leading professionals – seeking opportunities to grow and develop, through the CBS Blue MBA for example. But also looking after our seafarers. They need to become our power assets, not our ships.
“Covid taught us that we need to get humanity back into shipping, our people were not treated well enough during the crisis, often being forced to stay at sea for unreasonable amounts of time in adverse conditions. We can’t let that continue. Only by developing and motivating our people better can we as an industry hope to build a better and more sustainable future.
“These are exciting times.”

Catch up once again with maritime executive and MBA Blue alumnus, Thomas Damsgaard, to find out just how much global shipping has evolved in recent months.

Blue MBA webinar: Liner Shipping transformation  - Changing business models in the 2020s (2)

<div class="grid_grid__arx8a">
<div class="row_row__3dIJv article-richtext-block_articleContainer__Ccd_9 row_padding__oSti1 row_padding_omitPaddingVertical__LUEMe">
Join <a href="https://efteruddannelse.cbs.dk/en/mba/programmes/executive-mba-in-shipping-and-logistics">Blue MBA</a> programme director Irene Rosberg and guest speaker Lens Jensen as they examine the profound change that the liner shipping business model is undergoing. They discuss how this shift will not only bring about changes for the liner shipping companies, but also for everyone else in the ocean supply chain. It’s time for every stakeholder in the chain to re-assess their position and discover how to remain both relevant and competitive…
</div>
</div>
This webinar was created collaboratively by CBS Blue MBA Alumni Association and AGEPOR – Portuguese Ship Agents Association.

Blue MBA webinar: Liner Shipping transformation  - Changing business models in the 2020s

Join Blue MBA programme director Irene Rosberg and guest speaker Lens Jensen as they examine the profound change that the liner shipping business model is undergoing in this exclusive Blue MBA webinar

When I'm in, I'm all in

“I have always been ambitious and after a stint in the Royal Danish Airforce I wanted to try something different, so joined the shipping company, A.P. Moller – Maersk, as a trainee. The job was varied and took me to different parts of the world, but I eventually settled in Denmark to take up the position as the global Head of Operations for the Handy tankers product tanker pool back in 2007. This led to various roles within Optimization and later Supply Chain, which gave me another angle on the tankers’ industry from a more technical perspective. I have always enjoyed studying, both out of interest and to challenge myself in a bid to stay relevant and keep on developing my career.”
A global overview 
“In 2015 I began to consider an MBA. I had been in the Head of Operations position for some time and was looking to get a global overview of the business; I wanted to gain more perspective of the financial side of shipping, for example. I had looked at ‘regular’ MBAs briefly, mainly for the networking side of things, but the <a href="/en/mba/programmes/executive-mba-in-shipping-and-logistics" title="Executive MBA in Shipping and Logistics">Blue MBA</a> at Copenhagen Business School is a well-known and respected qualification and I kept coming back to it. It more than made sense for me.
“I could see there was a succession of impressive alumni and it was a broad curriculum. With kids aged one and three at the time I didn’t particularly want to travel to study – and I wasn’t interested in the opportunity to take a year out either – so being able to remain here in Copenhagen and study while holding on to my full-time job was perfect.
“I was fortunate to get a scholarship for the cost of the MBA and my company agreed to support me in other areas also, which was a great motivator and pat on the shoulder.”
Getting the balance right
“Of course, there were some modules I found more relevant than others. The finance was insightful and I learned a lot on the supply chain module as well. It was real-world learning. I actually changed job twice during the course of the MBA, moving into supply chain, which meant that I got to practise my skills in a new, exciting area.
“I am not the kind of person who does things by halves; when I am in, I am all in. I wanted to learn and to study and to be the best that I could be.

I first and foremost wanted to live up to my expectation to me, and I also wanted to show to the company and the foundation who had backed me, that their investment was worth it.

So I had to prioritise. This meant some sacrifices in my personal life to accommodate the necessary level of study and the wakeboarding and mountain climbing would have to wait!
“With young children I knew I had to put some structure in place to be able to get everything done, which I deemed important. It was tough, but I prioritised three nights a week and one day at the weekend to study. That helped a lot and I got a lot of support from home, to pursue what I really wanted. It meant I could stay on top of things and then fit in breaks when I needed them; I still had time with my kids, had holidays and was able to work full time (including travel). This is probably not the way everyone would structure it, but it worked very effectively for me.”
Making it count
“Seven months before the MBA was done, I left Maersk to join BW Tankers Pte Ltd which was part of the BW Group. It was a younger company; with a relatively young fleet and I was brought in it to turn the operations around. I had doubts about moving on from Maersk, of course, but it was a great opportunity and I wanted to put my newly learned skills into motion. I knew what they were after and I knew I could do it.
“This meant that unfortunately, the course work I had completed during the MBA was specific to my previous role, so I could not put all that work into my Integrated Strategy Project (ISP). Though it meant starting from scratch with my ISP, the course and the experience gave me the confidence to start over and I began creating a turnaround plan for my new company. In fact, as I was writing it, we were implementing it shortly after; It wasn’t just another piece of homework for school. It was a real company, a real challenge and real solutions.
“We did not implement everything that I had described and recommended in my ISP and I appreciate that the best results always come from a team effort, so the collaborative effort that followed made it come to life. We turned the company around and made it competitive, and in the summer of 2018 the BW Group acquired the majority stake in Hafnia Tankers. Within a couple of weeks I had presented the CEO with a plan how to merge the companies, and given him my vision of what it could look like and that I was ready to lead this. That is how I got my current role; I knocked on his door and asked him to give me the job (and explained him why). In January 2019 we merged BW Tankers and <a rel="noopener" href="https://hafniabw.com/" target="_blank">Hafnia Tankers</a> which has been an incredibly exciting journey so far – and I am sure there is more to come.”
My next steps
“I am very happy in Hafnia, it is truly a ‘people first’ company and the next natural step for me career-wise would be a COO role, and I am also considering entering boards, where my competences and experiences match with the challenge ahead.
“It has been some years since I graduated with the <a href="/en/mba/programmes/executive-mba-in-shipping-and-logistics/blue-mba-posts" title="Blue MBA Posts">Blue MBA</a> and I am back at CBS for the Executive Board education, which builds on my current skillset, challenges me and prepares me for the future. I still want to be the best I can be – CBS has been a vital part of my journey so far, and my ambition remains in sharp focus!”

As a leading figure in Denmark’s shipping industry with a suitably demanding schedule, Dorte Thuesen Christensen had to structure her time carefully to study for her Blue MBA. But it was all worth the sacrifices as since then she’s become the VP for Operations & Claims at Hafnia. Read …

We've been forced to adapt - and improve

“I started out in Blue Water Shipping as a trainee. That was 25 years ago and I’ve been there ever since, rising to global director for two of the business units: Oil &amp; Gas, and Wind Logistics. Going back three or four years I started to consider an <a href="/en/mba" title="MBA">MBA</a>; I could see my role moving into management and wanted to increase my level of knowledge. So when I heard about the <a href="/en/mba/programmes/executive-mba-in-shipping-and-logistics" title="Executive MBA in Shipping and Logistics">Blue MBA</a> it sounded like the perfect way to access that leadership education and also gain a broader understanding of the shipping industry.”
All change
“To start with, I was travelling to Copenhagen every three months, but after the first three modules Covid-19 came along and everything had to shift online. Distance learning for my Blue MBA may have been a little rough around the edges to start with, as is probably to be expected, but the faculty soon got into their stride and the quality is now very good. In fact, it has helped give me some confidence in the idea we could use this kind of technology more for smaller meetings within in our business. Not that this will ever replace travelling the world.
“Of course, we would all prefer to be in the classroom together, but there are definite advantages to working online too. For one thing there is less travelling – as someone who already works away from family a lot, it’s nice not to have to be away from home for studying too. Plus, everything that is delivered online is recorded so you can go back and review things as and when you need to. It all adds to the flexibility of the course.”
Broadening knowledge

I find the variety of people on the Blue MBA fascinating. It’s not only the mix of nationalities, but there are people from all business areas, too. From air freight and carrier side to legal and insurance as well as those working at ports. We’ve enjoyed different inputs, different points of view, all experienced in the industry and adding value to the discussions. You wouldn’t get that on a regular MBA.

“The world is changing all the time, and important developments are noted and discussed regularly in our lectures. If you’re not careful you can get too focussed on what you do, so it’s great to open your mind to new ideas and new things. Blockchain and new technologies, for example, are not things I knew much about, but through mixing with others and listening to the speakers we’ve welcomed, I now have a wider understanding.”
Supportive environment 
“My classmates come from a wide range of companies within the industry, so the course has provided me with a great way to expand my network. Every module has been relevant to my day-to-day work and contributing to my <a href="/en/mba/programmes/executive-mba-in-shipping-and-logistics/programme/structure-overview" title="Structure &amp; Overview">Integrated Strategy Project</a>, which will focus on the transition to renewables within our business. It’s an exciting opportunity to use my new-found knowledge to make a difference in the real world.
“Working in the shipping industry is hectic and busy and the faculty at CBS understand that. So while<a rel="noopener" href="https://www.bws.net/" target="_blank"> my employers</a> have given me the time and space I need to do the <a href="/en/mba/programmes/executive-mba-in-shipping-and-logistics" title="Executive MBA in Shipping and Logistics">Blue MBA</a>, CBS have understood when things have happened at work that required my full attention. I felt I had the support I needed from the programme to balance my work and my education.
“I went into the course knowing my knowledge within shipping was narrow and I’ve learned about different markets that I wasn’t even aware of. The Blue MBA has broadened my knowledge and there is no doubt it is going to help me in my career.”

As part of the current Blue MBA cohort due to graduate in August 2021, Thomas Bek has had a very different CBS experience thanks to the pandemic. But despite moving to distance learning mid-programme, the Blue Water Shipping executive has broadened his already extensive knowledge.

Webinar Playback: How has Covid-19 affected ship manager's value proposition?

This webinar, presented by the CBS <a href="/en/mba/programmes/executive-mba-in-shipping-and-logistics" title="Executive MBA in Shipping and Logistics">Blue MBA</a>, featured presentations by:
<ul>
<li>Michael Elwert, COO, <a rel="noopener" href="https://vgrouplimited.com/ship-management" target="_blank">V.Group</a></li>
<li>Mark Cameron, EVP and COO, <a rel="noopener" href="https://ardmoreshipping.com/" target="_blank">Ardmore Shipping</a></li>
<li>Irene Rosberg, Founding Director, <a rel="noopener" href="/en/mba/programmes/executive-mba-in-shipping-and-logistics" target="_blank" title="Executive MBA in Shipping and Logistics">CBS Executive MBA in Shipping and Logistics</a></li>
</ul>
Over the past year, the shipping industry has operated under the extreme pressure of a global pandemic. With business-as-usual disrupted by Covid-19, what are the lessons learned? What are shipping companies asking of third party ship managers? Have seafarers lost faith or trust in their industry? Following a brief introduction by Irene Rosberg, Michael Elwert and Mark Cameron share a presentation with the audience, discuss above challenges and highlight learnings so far. Michael Elwert is also a graduate of the <a rel="noopener" href="/en/mba/programmes/executive-mba-in-shipping-and-logistics" target="_blank" title="Executive MBA in Shipping and Logistics">CBS Executive MBA in Shipping and Logistics</a> (aka the Blue MBA) and a guest lecturer in the programme.

Over the past year, the shipping industry has operated under the extreme pressure of a global pandemic. With business-as-usual disrupted by Covid-19, what are the lessons learned? What are shipping companies asking of third party ship managers? Have seafarers lost faith or trust in their industry?

Pandemic fall-out for shipping 2020-2021: What can we learn and where are we headed? (Webinar Playback)

Watch the webinar playback here: Part of the shipping industry proved highly resilient in the face of the pandemic, parts changed drastically and parts of the shipping industry absolutely did not work.

Watch this webinar playback and learn about the impact of Covid-19 on the shipping industry as well as predictions for the near future.

It was time to get out on the edge again: Enter Blue MBA

“I am a shipping man. I started out in 1990 and have worked with companies such as Clipper and Spliethoff in locations all over the world, but in 2015 I started to realise that I had a few gaps in my knowledge.
That realisation was good for me, and I view it as sound business insight because when you’ve been doing something for a long time – I was 46 back then – it’s easy to think that you know it all. Throughout my career, I have progressed up the ladder and have opened offices in the US, run big companies and attempted a management buyout, but I started to recognise that perhaps I was missing out on opportunities or even becoming dangerous because I didn’t actually know it all after all.
Copenhagen calling
Our industry is changing quicker than ever before and I wanted to stay relevant and involved. I needed more tools in my toolbox – and so I looked to<a href="/en/mba" title="MBA"> CBS</a>. Of course, I knew about the Blue MBA already and its reputation as the leading <a href="/en/mba/programmes/executive-mba-in-shipping-and-logistics" title="Executive MBA in Shipping and Logistics">shipping maritime MBA programme</a> in the world, but when I started to dig a little deeper, I recognised that the course absolutely reflected the dynamic, fast-paced world that I was working in.
There’s been a shift from our traditional, asset-based mentality in the shipping world and everything, even the language that companies are using, is changing. It’s not about the ‘steel’ (or perhaps even the ‘ships’), it’s more about ‘people’ and ‘supply chains’ and that’s something that I recognise and welcome. Ours is an industry that has been around for a long time and it’s only right that we start to consider the whole ecosystem and the needs and input of everyone. It’s not what we do, but how we work together – and that can help you unlock competitive differentiators in the market.”

Many things attracted me to the Blue MBA and to Copenhagen itself, which is home to one of the world’s biggest maritime clusters. The professors embrace diversity and encourage you to think differently and I think one of the most important things I got out of the experience is to learn to ask questions. A question is a sign of strength and it is only by asking questions that you can unlock knowledge and change conversations.

Fresh ideas
That inquisitive outlook is especially true now, when there are new ways of working and new things to learn to stay relevant. Shipping has been cyclical in nature and it used to be that, if you lost one piece of work, you’d hang around and another piece would turn up. It’s not like that anymore; there are bursts of activity and you need to seize the opportunities as and when they come along because they might not be there tomorrow.
And I know it’s been said many times before, but one of the most appealing things about the course was that you’re <a rel="noopener" href="/en/mba/programmes/executive-mba-in-shipping-and-logistics/reach-the-top/blue-mba-stories" target="_blank" title="Blue MBA stories">studying alongside students from all over the world</a>; it’s great to see things from a different perspective. The professors were engaging and drove discussions that were relevant to my everyday life and where my industry is heading.
A fresh start
When I graduated in 2017, I felt more than ready to take on a new challenge and, unexpectedly, I got headhunted to lead the world’s largest port agency. I had been a customer of theirs for a long time and they wanted me to come in and offer them a fresh perspective and to look outside the conventional way of doing thing.
My<a href="/en/mba/programmes/executive-mba-in-shipping-and-logistics" title="Executive MBA in Shipping and Logistics"> Blue MBA</a> absolutely gave me the tools to be able to take this on and I have since instituted a programme of change that is transitioning this 170 year old company into one that is forward-looking and fit for another 170 years. It’s all about changing mindsets and I could not have done that without having had the conversations that I’d had at CBS. It’s a <a rel="noopener" href="/en/mba/programmes/executive-mba-in-shipping-and-logistics/programme/structure-overview#video" target="_blank" title="Structure &amp; Overview" data-anchor="#video">higher level of leadership development</a> that has equipped me with confidence, foresight and knowledge – the competitive edge that I was looking for.”

An experienced and respected leader in the maritime industry, Thomas Damgsgaard enrolled for the Blue MBA at Copenhagen Business School to boost his business toolkit and to help him navigate a fast-changing sector.

My lifelong MBA journey

“I have worked in this industry since my first job and it has taken me all around the world. I’ve lived in 11 countries so far and now I’m based in Scotland, overseeing our global ship management operations supported by 45,000 crew and 3,000 shore-based staff in 60 global offices. As you can imagine, it’s a demanding position, but it’s certainly not overwhelming and I put a lot of that down to the skills that I learned while studying for my <a href="/en/mba/programmes/executive-mba-in-shipping-and-logistics" title="Executive MBA in Shipping and Logistics">Blue MBA</a> over 15 years ago.
“Back then, I was working for Maersk and was quite far along in my career, but I needed that extra dimension to take me to the next level. An MBA seemed the obvious choice, but given that the maritime industry was my passion as well as my career, the Blue MBA was particularly appealing.”
A global reputation

I’d also heard about Copenhagen Business School – it was (and remains) certainly very highly regarded in the industry – and I was attracted by the fact that it was a truly global programme with a diversity in the classroom run by a leading well accredited business school.

“That diversity was very apparent from my first day on the course. My fellow students were drawn from many different professions and segments within the global maritime cluster industry and we would all sit and discuss the various challenges we were given, offering our unique perspectives. Lawyers, technicians, executives and managers all came together to create solutions, and that’s a great way to learn. The dynamics and widespread competences available in the classroom is simply amazing!
“At the same time, you have strong and reputable teachers who are well known and well versed in all the intricacies of the industry and their insight is invaluable.”
Top tier endorsement
“The <a href="/en/mba/programmes/executive-mba-in-shipping-and-logistics/blue-mba-posts" title="Blue MBA Posts">CBS Blue MBA</a> is known as the shipping MBA. And if you were to take a cross section of the top tier executives working in the industry today, you’d find that many of them have completed the Blue MBA. It’s an extremely strong qualification that is very highly regarded. Is it challenging? Certainly. Is it sometimes difficult to manage? Yes, but that’s actually part of the beauty of it.
“As an executive in this industry, you need to be able to learn how to prioritise and the demands of this course force you to do just that. It’s the testing ground for managing your workload and you need the support of your company and your family to achieve it. I didn’t have a weekend off for two years and I made a huge sacrifice to complete the course whilst in parallel running a full demanding day job – all of us did – but you need to really want it if you are to succeed. And you need to invest in yourself.
“Personally, the ‘investment’ was repaid almost immediately as, after the course, I moved into a new executive position with the International Shipowners’ Association. It was a role that I would have never been considered for beforehand and I have to say that I don’t think I would have had the toolbox and the knowledge to succeed. But I did, and I moved on again to higher and more demanding assignments and my Blue MBA has stayed with me every step of the way.”
A longstanding relationship
“Today, I’m a proud ambassador for the programme. I keep in touch with CBS, and the alumni, and I like to keep close to what’s happening across the industry. To succeed and to continue to contribute to the global community, you need to keep abreast of all the latest developments; it really is a case of lifelong learning.
“And ultimately, it’s important to remember that what you get out of the Blue MBA is what you put into it. Give it your full attention and energy, and it will reward you for life.”

A leading light in the shipping industry, Capt. Michael Elwert is the Chief Operating Officer of Global Ship Management within V Group. Here, he explains how the CBS Blue MBA has helped shape his career – and how it continues to influence his working life today.

Where next for global shipping? (Webinar Playback)

About the webinar:
Before the pandemic, a range of transformations had already begun in the shipping industry. Digitalisation, business model transformation and changes in fundamental global trade patterns were already creating ripples around the globe, driven by elements such as nearshoring, demographics and tradewars. On top of that, we saw an increased focus on environmental responsibility. The pandemic in itself has not changed, or created, these influences. But it will accelerate the pace by which they unfold, and therefore shipping executives might also find themselves needing to adapt to a new environment faster than would have been plausible just a few months ago.
This webinar, hosted by the <a rel="noopener" href="/en/mba/programmes/executive-mba-in-shipping-and-logistics" target="_blank" title="Executive MBA in Shipping and Logistics">CBS Executive MBA in Shipping and Logistics</a> (aka the Blue MBA), takes a close look at where the industry is and where it might be headed. Join us as we explore the perplexing question ‘Where next for global shipping?´’

What’s next for the shipping industry? What will the pandemic’s longer-term effects on global shipping be? Watch this webinar and dive deeper into these topics.

CBS Insider: Blue MBA

To use an aquatic analogy, the shipping and logistics industry is like a river, not a pond. It’s fast moving and ever-changing, and that’s what makes it such a fascinating sector to work in. Today’s leaders need to grasp so many new skillsets such as digitalisation, sustainability, marketing and IT if they are to thrive, and that’s exactly what we set out to do in this course, which has been established since 2001.
<a rel="noopener" href="/en/mba/programmes/executive-mba-in-shipping-and-logistics/blue-mba-posts" target="_blank" title="Blue MBA Posts">Designed for mid- and senior-level management as well as financiers, lawyers, equipment manufacturers and executives in related sectors</a>, the course has a unique dynamic that helps to make it the best in the world. Once it was enough to be a former practitioner – a seafarer, for example – and work your way up the career ladder with a narrow skillset, but no longer. Today you need a broader worldview and a much deeper knowledge of different aspects of the whole maritime sphere; we deliver a holistic learning experience that incorporates a better understanding of all its constituent parts.
After all, this is probably the only sector to be affected by such a wide set of influences, such as natural disasters or the environment, to the fluctuations of the oil industry, and more recently to the Covid-19 emergency that has posed huge challenges throughout the industry.
Shipping has been called “the invisible industry” because it helps deliver 90% of food, clothing and fuel to wholesalers, processors and retailers, without any evidence of its involvement in the eyes of the public. Our candidates play a critical part in facilitating its efficiency and indeed survival. They are responsible for a sector where a single ship and its cargo can have a physical value of up to $2bn – and the complexities run through the supply chain.

We’ll teach you how to read the market, understand these drivers and to make informed, smart decisions. We’re proud to say that our graduates have led thorough-going, beneficial changes in the industry, occupying top positions in leading companies.

<a rel="noopener" href="/en/mba/programmes/executive-mba-in-shipping-and-logistics/application" target="_blank" title="Application">The student body is hand-picked</a> to create an unrivalled learning dynamic in the classroom, where every single market segment and many nationalities (20+ in our current cohort) are represented. In addition, the lecturers are the crème de la crème with significant amounts of industry knowledge and experience. You’ll meet with us for eight one-week modules and carry out extensive group-work, and this will enable you to build a trusted network that you’ll draw upon for many years to come.
<a rel="noopener" href="/en/mba/programmes/executive-mba-in-shipping-and-logistics/programme/structure-overview" target="_blank" title="Structure &amp; Overview">It’s a challenging and diverse syllabus that encompasses every aspect of the shipping and logistics industry</a>, but each module will be relevant to your own company and you’ll examine and scrutinise real life examples from your own professional area of influence, and from shipping industry practice across the board.
The ISP (or final Integrated Strategy Project) is the part of the course that many of our students find the most rewarding. You’ll be asked to identify an issue of strategic importance from your own workplace and to write an in-depth, comprehensive report that defines a strategy for addressing that issue. It’s something that you’ll complete, coached by two experts, over the last seven months of your programme and will immerse you in your company’s DNA.
<a rel="noopener" href="https://youtu.be/DNDnY7IYi78" target="_blank">At the end of the course,</a> you’ll be encouraged to present your findings to your employer and to deliver a cohesive, cross-examined strategy for improvement. Our experience is that 99% of graduates go on to implement that strategy and to begin a new, fast moving phase of their career. <a rel="noopener" href="/en/mba/programmes/executive-mba-in-shipping-and-logistics/connect" target="_blank" title="Connect">Join us and see where the Blue MBA takes you.</a>

No one is better qualified to give us the inside track on the Executive MBA in Shipping and Logistics than its founding programme director, Irene Rosberg. In this exclusive blog, she outlines the course and explains how it can prepare you for an exciting career in a rapidly evolving industry.

The Blue MBA gives us the big picture

“I have worked in the offshore energy industry for nearly 20 years, the past eleven years with Maersk Drilling, and have recently been promoted to Head of Crewing. This industry is an exciting mix of maritime business, technology and science, offering many opportunities. When it comes to water depth limits, and pressures, the company is constantly breaking new records and keeps developing new technologies. Working in this field requires traditional maritime knowledge and skills but also offers numerous technological challenges.”
Expanded network
“The <a rel="noopener" href="/en/mba/programmes/executive-mba-in-shipping-and-logistics" target="_blank" title="Executive MBA in Shipping and Logistics">Blue MBA</a> has notably expanded my network to now stretch across functions, locations and areas of expertise. I graduated in 2019 but I am still in close contact with my classmates. When needed, I can tap into a group of maritime professionals that I not only highly respect but also call my friends. It is a huge advantage to have this kind of secure base in a volatile industry, and it helps keep me grounded in times of turbulence. I have recently changed my role, and it is my firm belief that the wider industry perspective and the tools I picked up during my Blue MBA journey will assist me during the transition to Head of Crewing for Maersk Drilling.
Top-class lecturer
“One of the reasons I would recommend the <a href="/en/mba/programmes/executive-mba-in-shipping-and-logistics/blue-mba-posts" title="Blue MBA Posts">Blue MBA</a> is the quality of its lecturers. We were taught by <a rel="noopener" href="/en/mba/programmes/executive-mba-in-shipping-and-logistics/programme/faculty-learning-environment" target="_blank" title="Faculty &amp; Learning environment">top-class lecturers</a> and professors from around the globe in every module, whether we were diving into geopolitics, finance, supply chain management or maritime economics.

I was tremendously impressed by the industry gravitas our teachers carried. The programme’s learning modules were very versatile and cover many different business areas, such as Operations Management, IT, Leadership and HR.

Tackling new challenges
“I started the programme in 2017, just after offshore drilling was coming out of what was probably the worst downturn to date. These were difficult days for offshore drilling contractors as well as professionals employed in this industry. It was noticeable that everybody started thinking in terms of ‘What comes next? What else can happen, how can we be part of that, and how can we move on once the crisis has given way to a new normal?’ Presently, as we are facing an unprecedented situation with the Coronavirus pandemic causing havoc not only for shipping but also across industries all over the world, these questions seem more relevant than ever.
“I do believe that the Blue MBA can give everyone a great set of tools to excel in this industry, at any level. It offers a unique combination of high-level business knowledge and insight into almost all segments maritime. I definitely feel that I am better positioned to tackle new challenges and adapt to new ways of working.”
<a rel="noopener" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQlT4neoiYQ&amp;feature=youtu.be" target="_blank" data-anchor="?v=oQlT4neoiYQ&amp;feature=youtu.be">For more, watch this video.</a>

Adam Kobren was recently promoted to Head of Crewing for Maersk Drilling. In this post, he shares his thoughts about the CBS Blue MBA and the tools it has provided him with.