Author(s): Deena Jacob and Usha S
The study explores and identifies practices shaping the future of the shipping industry by conducting semi-structured and in-depth interviews with a purposive sample of twelve senior leaders from the shipping industry between Feb and March 2024. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed by using inductive methods. Interviewees shared insights into their personal career trajectories, the influence of stringent International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations, and the integration of emerging technologies like real-time monitoring and automation within their operations. Findings let to a two-dimensional model representing how industry leaders navigate the evolving challenges in the global shipping landscape. The first dimension focuses on core processes, including regulatory compliance, technological integration, and sustainability transitions while the second dimension emphasizes contextual interactions, including the diversity factor and the broader global shipping dynamics, such as geopolitical shifts, market demands, and workforce diversity. Nine overarching themes were found: Career Evolution and Professional Growth, Technological advancements, Regulatory changes, Environmental Sustainability, Role of women, Ship building and scrapping, Global Shipping Dynamics, Challenges and Future Trends. Implications The findings offer a rich understanding of the current, future of shipping and the factors that will assist both policy and operational level decision making.