Biofuels are a solution right now, but looking to the future, I don't think they will be the only solution. There's a lot of new developments. You can see a lot of other types of renewable fuels. And I think the future is hybrids.
-Katarin Van Orshaegen
Episode Summary
Plenty of global companies have made big headlines with their bold carbon reduction commitments—but how much have logistics played into those goals? Luckily, transport is making its way into the carbon conversation as companies like GoodShipping help organizations replace fossil fuels with biofuel to create carbon insets, effectively reducing carbon emissions within the industry. In this Logistics with Purpose crossover episode, learn more about the most optimal way currently available to reduce emissions from a supply chain perspective as co-hosts Enrique and Monica chat with GoodShipping Commercial Lead Katarin Van Orshaegen about current challenges, the future of biofuel and more.
Episode Transcript
Intro/Outro (00:02):
Welcome to logistics with purpose presented by vector global logistics in partnership with supply chain. Now we spotlight and celebrate organizations who are dedicated to creating a positive impact. Join us for this behind the scenes glimpse of the origin stories, change making progress and future plans of organizations who are actively making a difference. Our goal isn’t just to entertain you, but to inspire you to go out and change the world. And now here’s today’s episode of logistics with purpose
Enrique Alvarez (00:34):
Good day, and welcome to another episode of supply chain now, and logistics with purpose. My name’s Enrique Alvarez, and I have an, an excellent, an excellent guest today. Uh, but before we introduce her, I would like to also introduce my co-host for the day Mon uh, Monica Roesch. How you doing Mon? Hi,
Monica Roesch (00:51):
A nice to be here. Doing great. How about you?
Enrique Alvarez (00:54):
I’m doing fantastic. It’s gonna, it’s a great week. Olympic games are on their way. And I think we have an amazing company that going to be talking about a very important topic and something that everyone should and, uh, need to pay attention to. Cause in my opinion, that would be the, the, uh, future of our industry and the future of the world, uh, as, as we know it. So, um, without further ado, actually, no one more thing before we actually introduce our guest is if you enjoy conversations like the one on that we’re gonna have today, please don’t forget to subscribe to logistics with purpose. And, uh, now let me introduce you to Kathleen van or cha commercial lead at good shipping. She has a very vast experience as a business developer marketing manager, and also started a master’s degree in global management that took place in three different countries. One of them in Europe, India, and the us, Kathleen, how are you doing? Welcome to the show.
Katarin Van Orshaegen (01:48):
Thanks and Monica for having me. I’m doing very well. The sun is shining in Amsterdam in February, so that’s a good day.
Enrique Alvarez (01:56):
That’s always a good day. Isn’t it?
Katarin Van Orshaegen (01:59):
Definitely today. Yeah. Thanks for inviting me. Happy to be here.
Monica Roesch (02:02):
Thanks a lot being here. We’re so excited for this. First of all, if you could share with us a couple of experiences you have while growing up, what was your child like?
Katarin Van Orshaegen (02:12):
Um, I was always a very active child. Uh, always, uh, dancing around very playful. Uh, always been quite social. Uh, my parents always used to say I would never stop talking, asking questions. Uh, and I think I kept that, that desire to always know with me the, the rest of my life. So yeah, active kid.
Enrique Alvarez (02:30):
Good. What’s something that inspires you. You talked a little bit about your parents. I mean, you mentioned that you were, you were born and raised in Amsterdam. Is that, is that correct? Is that accurate?
Katarin Van Orshaegen (02:40):
Uh, no. I was actually born and raised in Belgium. So country just next, uh, born in Antu and spent most of like my, uh, university years and early working career in G, uh, which is a beautiful city in Belgium must visit, uh, and actually decided to move to Amsterdam a year and a half ago. Um, really a desire to do something different. I wanted a new way of living new company, find something with purpose, uh, new place for me. So I moved to, and that’s where we’re now.
Enrique Alvarez (03:10):
That’s awesome. Well, and A’s a big, uh, port, very important logistics, as you know, like, did you have growing up like any idea that we were gonna end up in, in this industry? I mean, as you grew up in, in that city,
Katarin Van Orshaegen (03:23):
Uh, my mom always used to joke, like she still wants me to go back to Belgium stuff. She’s like, there’s a lot of jobs in the port of ANP, you know, uh, very clearly getting me to come back. So I’ve always had something with water, always lived in cities with water. Uh, and then even, yeah, like in New York as well, like all the water around me. I love it in Sweden. Yeah. I just love places with a lot of water.
Enrique Alvarez (03:43):
Is there something that inspired you when you were young to kind of, uh, that define your professional path and, and your career and where you are today?
Katarin Van Orshaegen (03:51):
Uh, I think definitely my, my godmother. Um, she’s been like a second, second mom to me, let’s say. And she was like the head of, uh, marketing. I talk about it, which was for me always, you know, like this big thing, uh, that I look up to, uh, and she definitely inspired me, like to be a strong woman in a leadership role, um, to yeah, dare to take it up and to climb the ladder or whatever you wanna call it and just find a company that works for you. Um, and then, yeah, for me, that’s just been trying to somehow be logistics and supply chain. I don’t know why cuz I come from a language background, But I somehow fell into this. Uh, and then yeah, just being like very green hearted, I just really wanted something with purpose and, and that’s what I’ve really found with your shipping, like purpose driven organization.
Monica Roesch (04:36):
That’s just awesome. And besides your gut mother, was there else, did you look up to like another mentor or someone that helped you in this path?
Katarin Van Orshaegen (04:47):
Um, I have always been a crazy fan of like laughy. Do I dunno if you know it, but it’s a really cool Entrea brand it’s super sustainable and it’s really, uh, against all norms. They’re super gender fluids. Um, they really, they do local sourcing and they’re really trying to break this barrier of what it means to be, uh, a woman actually, or man or a non-binary person wearing lingerie. Um, so people like that have, have always greatly inspired me. I met her once, which is really cool. Wow. Um, yeah, so that’s
Enrique Alvarez (05:17):
Mean, it sounds like you’ve been always been, uh, a big fan of, uh, renewable energy and green costs and saving the planet. Um, anything else that you wanna tell us about your, uh, upbringing and why you’re so connected to, I guess, nature?
Katarin Van Orshaegen (05:31):
Um, it, it’s funny actually, cuz I, I grew up with parents who were not that much connected with nature, but I think it’s also been my friends around me that took me camping. Um, when it was like, sorry, we’re gonna go camping and now I love it. And uh, it took me hiking and it took me to gatherings all over Italy and the mountains. Um, it kind of grew with me. It’s not like I was green from the start, but I think it’s something that came with the years. Um, and I’ve been more vocal about what I want, I think in the past I kind of just put it aside as my personal interests and today I felt like let’s combine work interests and personal interests. It doesn’t need to be separate. You can actually can’t make it work together.
Enrique Alvarez (06:11):
That seems like something, uh, not only very important for people’s success in my opinion, but it’s something that’s also gonna become. Uh, I wouldn’t call it a trend per se, but it is something important. I think that the new generations definitely have a better sense of, uh, what, uh, working for a purpose driven company really entails and they’re really seeking out those jobs.
Katarin Van Orshaegen (06:31):
Yeah. And it might be a thing of our generation let’s say. And I think our parents might just be like, oh, just we’re work don’t care. But I do think I’m a child of my generation in that sense, but PR proud of it. So why not?
Enrique Alvarez (06:44):
Well, that’s, that’s awesome and a very powerful message for anyone that’s currently listening to us. And of course we have a lot of, uh, younger, uh, people jumping into well younger, both, uh, uh, from an age standpoint and then at heart, but people that are jumping into logistics and are jumping into this industry and I think the industry’s ready to, to really change. Right. It’s one of those industries that have been around for forever. But tell us a bit more about your professional journey. Tell us a little bit more about your career. What did you study and uh, and then I’ll ask you a couple questions about your amazing probably uh, uh, master degree in three different continent.
Katarin Van Orshaegen (07:19):
Yeah, for sure. Um, so I’ve always been really into literature and growing up a crazy fan of the English language. Um, so I actually studied English and Swedish. Um, so I did that in Belgium and I also did, uh, I went to abroad to Sweden to yet boy, which is really cool. Um, and then I went in more of the cultural side of the things I went to work in a cultural institution as my internships and focus on that. Um, but the business element somehow always got my attention. Um, and this is what led me to do like an extra master’s degree in, in the global management that you say, cuz I, I don’t know. I just felt so privileged to be able to do it because it was in three different continents and three different business contexts. So you have the cultural aspect and the business aspect together and that’s what really yeah. Drove me to apply for this program. And that I was really happy that I got in
Enrique Alvarez (08:08):
That is, it sounds like an incredible experience. And um, two, a two part question for you. So how many languages do you actually speak?
Katarin Van Orshaegen (08:15):
Um, so I’m fluent in Dutch and English. Uh, my French is pretty decent for the bit rusty. Um, and my Swedish is, is also good, but not as good as when I was studying, but uh, I think it’s really on my list for this year to take it up again. Uh, and I did like a beginning of Norwegian, but because Norwegian and um, Swedish are so close, I started off in Norwegian and I ended my son in Swedish. So my teacher was not that happy with,
Enrique Alvarez (08:41):
Well sure. You’ll have plenty of time to, uh, catch up on your Norwegian in, uh, Swedish this year. And going back to, uh, when you, when you started your masters, um, three different continents, completely different from what I can tell, uh, could you tell us something about the, the main differences between those and then something that maybe you, you experienced that kind of continue if not changing, shaping who you, who you are and that kind of gave you that extra push to, to then go into the profession that you currently have?
Katarin Van Orshaegen (09:10):
Yeah, definitely. I think we started an was, was of course my home base, um, that it was a lot about like microeconomic elements, microeconomic elements, financial aspects to a bit more really economics economics. And that was a home base. Right. Um, but we had people from all over join, a lot of people from India, then some from Africa and the us and then other countries in Europe. So it was definitely a learning curve then how to work with other nationalities, like were like we were 20 people, right. You’re working together constantly. How do you deal with that? Um, and then when we went to India, we focused on a bit more of software elements, like the HR part, the human parts, uh, and also the social parts, uh, because India has quite a lot of social initiatives. People are really thinking of how can we help each other would do good for each other.
Katarin Van Orshaegen (09:57):
Um, which was a big contrast in going to New York, which was the most capitalistic part of my education. Um, but also really good. Like I had this crazy finance professor and he taught me so much about the value of money and investing and how you should do it and all these numbers, my brain, uh, yeah, I, I’m more for the words, less for the numbers, but uh, it definitely made me work for it. Um, yeah, I think I started that program thinking like, oh, I know quite a bit about the world. I’m still young, but I think I know how the world works every time again. I was like, I have no idea how the world works. I have no idea how other people work. Like it’s constantly surprised, amazed, challenged. Um, it definitely made me very humble as a person. Um, and yeah, wanting to know more and more and more about different cultures because yeah, the differences are just amazing, challenging though, as well, but amazing.
Monica Roesch (10:51):
And definitely it’s something that maybe took you to good shipping in the end because your purpose and trying to mix your personal life with your job as you were mentioning. So this is a very interesting and innovative industry and it’s changing the way we transport the cargo like a lot right now. So can you tell us what is exactly good shipping for the people that doesn’t know you yet?
Katarin Van Orshaegen (11:15):
Yeah, for sure. Um, so I could share is a decarbonization partner, uh, for reducing your emissions in transportation. Um, so that’s what the industry calls scope three emissions. So you’re indirect ambitions and it’s just people transporting goods all over the world. Um, like Ikea is one of our clients. They have their furniture going from Europe to us, let’s say, uh, but they don’t own specific votes that are good, strong, but they are the ones responsible for the CO2 emissions because, because of them, it’s going from point a to point B. And what we do is called, uh, a fuel switch. So we will calculate how much fuel is necessary to move it from a to B and then actually go from fossil fuel to biofuel. Uh, and that that’s really good because biofuel is made from waste and residue streams only. So that means it has to be a waste product and we then make it into oil. And then the result is that the, they get their CO2 emissions reduced, um, to go carbon neutral is if that what they want. And they know they’ve really had this impact on the energy transition because, because of them, there’s now biofuel in the system instead of fossil fuel, uh, which is still quite an innovative concept.
Enrique Alvarez (12:29):
So, and just to be clear about that last part that you mentioned, so you go from fossil fuel to biofuel and, uh, following the example that you mentioned with Ikea then are then the, uh, the vessels that they’re using then kind of going and tanking with a different fuel. Is that the case, or just basically just offsetting this in a, in a market or how, how does it actually work? Do you, I, I kind of picture like someone really tank like putting the extra fuel or the other fuel for the, to the vessels.
Katarin Van Orshaegen (12:56):
Exactly. It’s a bit of both. So if you would have to find every specific ship that has Ikea goods and then put a little bit of fuel in all of them, uh, we would actually be emitting more CO2, so that’s not what we’re doing, but what we do do is we, we bunker that’s like the term for it in ocean afraid we bunker the amount of fuel necessary for Ikea in one specific ship. So we are responsible for the biofuel for an actual bunkering of it, uh, and actually measuring of the CO2 reduction. Um, but it’s been done on a mass balance base and that’s actually the same as in the electricity industry or the CA cow industry or the cotton industry. So it’s just the most optimal way from supply chain perspective to reduce emissions.
Enrique Alvarez (13:41):
Makes sense. Well, and how, how did you end up, uh, working for such an interesting and kind of, uh, purpose driven company, like good shipping, tell us a little bit more about how you end up there and, and what are some of the challenges that you’re currently facing?
Katarin Van Orshaegen (13:54):
Uh, so yeah, like I think I mentioned in the beginning, so I was looking, I was at this pivoting moment, you know, right. The beginning of COVID everybody’s at home, you start thinking about where I am, where do I want go? Just a point that I realized, okay, I want change, course. I wanna take a new step in my personal. And, um, and I was looking at parts in the world and Amsterdam and Berlin really stood out. Uh, and then what really drew me to Amsterdam was that there’s just a lot of innovative companies here. Um, being green is a bit more bit easier in the Netherlands than in Belgium. I would say just because companies are a bit more used to it. Belgium companies definitely want to reduce carbon and really wanna go for it, but in the Netherlands, or let’s say Amsterdam, it’s, it’s so much more the norm already. Um, so I had a lot of companies that I could contact that I could reach out to. And yeah, when I found this one, I was like, okay, perfect. It’s like my supply chain background. And then it’s like super green. Um, but that’s how, kind of how I ended up here. Uh, and I must say my best friend also wanted to move to another place and was going to Amsterdam. So we definitely had an impact on each other.
Enrique Alvarez (15:09):
Nice.
Katarin Van Orshaegen (15:09):
Yeah. So a bit personal or professional.
Monica Roesch (15:12):
Yeah. And what are some goals that you have for this year and for the future?
Katarin Van Orshaegen (15:16):
Uh, for me personal for the organization. Oh,
Monica Roesch (15:19):
Why not?
Katarin Van Orshaegen (15:22):
Uh, I, I think for me personal, um, I definitely wanna grow with the organization. Um, I think when we started, we were like these, um, like really rebel organization, like let’s change the industry. We’re the first let’s make a lot of noise. Um, and now we are maturing as an organization. I think that’s also for me an interesting step to mature with it. Um, now actually taking care of way larger clients, um, really trying to have a larger impact and skill, um, is definitely something I’m also still learning and I hope to grow with the organization. Um, so that’s a goal for this year.
Enrique Alvarez (15:56):
What are some of the, uh, the challenges I’m guessing that you also get, uh, I mean, I understand what you’re doing and I’m super passionate about this as well, but I also think, and respect people that might not be really a lot into, uh, great initiatives or, or making the world a better place from a natural resource standpoint. What are, what are some of the challenges that you guys face on a day to day basis and what do you see out there?
Katarin Van Orshaegen (16:20):
I think, um, as you mentioned, like the logistics part and definitely ocean freight, it’s been around for a very long time. It’s a bit of an older industry, an industry that still takes a while to actually change. Um, so you face some like really obstacles of people not wanting to change or not ready to also pay for change, like go to buy or go to yeah. A better alternative instead of the very easy, cheap solution right at hand. Um, I think another thing that’s been interesting is you have these like scope 1, 2, 3 reductions, and the three, the trans support part has been neglected for a while. Um, a lot of people first put, um, change their, their, um, company itself, you know, like the factory just really good, right. Optimize everything they have in, in their hands. But then the transport logistics part, it was a bit neglected, like who was responsible for this people put it aside. Um, and then only last year at the United nations climate conference, transportation was actually a topic on the agenda. So that’s been like a really big driver of like, okay, we also have to account for these emissions, like logistics and supply chain is important. What can we do to lower these emissions? And like I’m a global scale. Um, but that’s definitely sometimes to get people excited to also want to make the change.
Enrique Alvarez (17:38):
It’s a huge difference. Right. And I think what’s happening or what happened this past two years with the pandemic, uh, I think has actually, um, put logistics in, in our industry a little bit in the spotlight in many, many ways. And of course it’s been challenging for, for multiple reasons, but it also has been great for others. Right. I think as you said, changing some of the regulations and for all of a sudden, like people actually paying more attention to the industry and how we do things and how we transport things. I think that’s definitely going to be definitely gonna be exciting for the future and definitely going to be a good thing for the planet as well. So quick question, uh, about what makes good shipping different right. From other carbon offsetting companies. And you’ve already touched a little bit on that, but what other, um, I guess competition, what other ways of offsetting a CO2 and why going good shipping route? Why do you guys think that’s kinda better?
Katarin Van Orshaegen (18:32):
Definitely. Uh, I think most of all, we support all initiatives, right? So every kind of initiative that wants to reduce carbon, of course, there are different ones that are better than other ones, but we love to work together. I don’t think there’s one solution that fits all. Um, but what really makes us different is, um, the industry’s been calling it insetting instead of offsetting. And the main difference is then when you inset, uh, you reduce emissions inside the industry where youit them. So you have emissions from transportation and you also reduce them in the transportation industry. And that’s been really nice for us, um, to have a bit of backup from this as well. Like from more framework side, calling it in setting, getting some support here, um, because we do try to stay as close to our supply chain as possible. It’s, it’s not like we’re doing something in other continents, but it can be, but we are really trying to be as close as possible. And I think that’s something that set us apart. Uh, and also cuz we’ve been bio from the start, you know, uh, we have these bigger companies that now have a bio alternative. Definitely a good, good way to go forward, but we we’ve never done anything else. We’ve just been green and bio all the way. So that’s, I think also something that sets us apart
Enrique Alvarez (19:44):
Makes perfect sense. And of course it’s very, very powerful, uh, in setting, as you mentioned, that’s definitely a big advantage.
Monica Roesch (19:52):
I have a quick question for you. Uh, before we jump to the lessons that you have learned, uh, I read the other day, your website that you only use recycled, uh, materials for developing the biofuel. So I was thinking that’s great. Uh, but you need a lot of recycled materials. So where do you get all of that stuff from? Yeah. Or do you have low on recycled? Uh, like raw materials for these
Katarin Van Orshaegen (20:19):
Good question? And I question, I get asked quite a lot, so it’s definitely a concern for people, but um, yeah, it is indeed it’s always a waste or residue stream that exists. So it’s some kind of waste that we give a second. Um, and it’s just, if everybody on the whole planet will go from fossil to bio tomorrow. Yes. Then there’s not enough that that’s for sure the case, but with the current demand, we definitely have enough. And also it’s been really nice because there’s an increased demand, which also means increased money to the industry, which led to more developments with new ways of actually changing this waste. Um, or we have an innovation team and one of my favorite projects is around, um, actually the bottom of a sewage. So in the sewage you have this like the bottom at the, at the, really the bottom actually. And they’re trying to see if they can make that into biofuel and I’m for that’s so crazy. Cuz what else are you gonna do with waste and sewage?
Enrique Alvarez (21:14):
That’s incredible. Yeah. Yeah.
Katarin Van Orshaegen (21:16):
So it’s not life yet, but I hope we get there and that would just be another yeah. Crazy source of like feed stock for our fuel, but also be a really cool way to, to make something of something that’s not being used right now at all. So,
Monica Roesch (21:31):
And talking about these, uh, uh, do you ever have to change the formula or are you planning to change the formula of your biofuel? Uh, because of the demand?
Katarin Van Orshaegen (21:42):
Uh, I think what’s important there is. We also work with a blend. So when you have these GI and ships, uh, we can do a blend of fossil and bio cuz sometimes we don’t have enough for these ships are really, really big. Um, so we can do a blend, but we have a few structural partners like UCC and some skip that do continuously a hundred percent. Um, so they run on a hundred percent bio and they’re really the first ones to do it definitely on structural basis. Uh, and that’s been really cool, like that has an impact as well on how we can grow.
Monica Roesch (22:15):
Uh, I was just thinking, well, this is very interesting and you guys were the first doing this. So what are some important lessons, uh, learned in the last few years?
Katarin Van Orshaegen (22:24):
Uh, so important lessons of the last few years. I think there’s been many, uh, I think, um, really hanging in there was been an important one at the very beginning. We got a lot of questions. Can the engine survive this or you to be trusted? Why would we use you? Why would we, uh, not stick with what we already have? Like we really had to be an advocate and keep going and going. Um, and it’s been really nice right now that we have a lot of more support from the industry. Uh, people start to know us good fuel, good shipping. Um, we have a good reputation. We are a sustainable partner like it, that really helps us a lot in growing. Uh, and I think the pandemic is one of those crazy things where of course we felt an impact. It been hard on costs and how do we deal with that? But it has led to a giant increase in demand because people are all of a sudden waking up realizing that the world is, is really in trouble. Um, and that they maybe should be start doing something about this. So in, in that crazy sense, it’s helping us forwards. I dunno, it’s sometimes we have so amazing plans of where we wanna be in five years, but I don’t even know if we can even even say these things, you know, because everything keeps changing so fast.
Enrique Alvarez (23:37):
Yeah. We definitely definitely leave in like a very changing environment. Um, and, and I think it’ll just continue to be that way going forward, but it’s important that we at least are trying to do the right things. And of course, good shipping is, um, a leader, uh, when it comes to, uh, trying the best and doing whatever it’s needed to make the world a better place. So that’s why we kind of love, uh, your company and your cost and, and why we’re so kind of humble and, and, and proud to, to kind of be talking to you today and then also, uh, working with you as well, uh, for vector. What, uh, what do you think, uh, and of course we, you talked about the benefits that the world could gain of this. And I think people in general understand what the benefits are, right. I mean, they, they see it. I feel, I honestly feel that they, they see it. Uh, but are there any metrics or any kind of, um, how, how do you measure success in, in, in an industry? So kind of political this days and so kind of crazy yet we see the need for biofuels and, and offsetting CO2. What do you, what kind metrics do you keep track of?
Katarin Van Orshaegen (24:43):
Uh, I think definitely personally and also as an organization, we set targets a number of tons of CO2. So we really try to not only have a target in, in revenue, but our CO2 target is the one that drives us. Um, I think definitely, uh, growing our portfolio and we started with really like purpose driven organizations, which are just like us, but I, in a measure of success is also when the bigger companies will make a change because no matter how you want to change the world, if the big ones don’t put their stamp on it and put the money behind it, the industry is just not gonna change. Um, so the fact that that BMW and Ikea and DHL and others have really supported us was for us a measure of success. Like it’s, it’s really inspiring others to also change. And for me, a measure of success is also getting into new segments. I think personally, I’ve been working a lot on the fashion parts and there’s just a lot of questions coming from the consumer. What are you doing with your materials, but also how are you transporting all of that and getting to be a part of the, to that, like helping consumers realize how they’re good to be transported. I think that’s also a measure of success of our organization.
Monica Roesch (25:55):
And has the culture, uh, a determining factor determining Sur factor on your clients? Like are, is there any like people from specific cultures that try to you work more with you than others?
Katarin Van Orshaegen (26:09):
Oh yeah. Good question. I think, uh, internally we have more than 11 nationalities, so that’s nice. Uh, I think externally, uh, we’re definitely stilling on that one, but, um, we started in the Netherlands, so we have strong base in the Netherlands central Europe, but we’ve also grown quite a lot in the Nordics. You see that people from the Nordics are very open to green and alternatives. Uh, but we’re also going abroad a lot. We just open an office in Singapore, so that’s a whole other culture than the Dutch. Thank you. Yeah. So we’re just doing a few bunk rings in Singapore opening office. Um, and the us market is definitely also an next step for us. We have some us clients almost at the verge. I can’t say their name yet, but I hope they’re coming. Uh, and that’s definitely a market that we see a lot of growth potential in as well. We, we can service people globally and it’s also to a global shift that’s happening. So I cultures are, are definitely helping us, but I, it should never limit us. I think we can, it can be as global as we wanna be. We just need to work together.
Enrique Alvarez (27:12):
Congratulations, I mean, great, great success and, um, huge, uh, kudos to you and good shipping for opening Singapore targeting the us and just growing worldwide. We, we really need companies like you and, and of course you, uh, your company to, to keep doing this. So congratulations.
Katarin Van Orshaegen (27:29):
Thank you. Yeah, it’s exciting times. I’m curious just to know what comes next.
Enrique Alvarez (27:34):
So speaking of, uh, what comes next? What is your projection of for the following year? I mean, how do you see, and maybe if you can tell us a little more about like the more M future, like the next couple years, where do you see this industry heading? And then of course your projection for maybe the longer term, like 10, 15, 20 years from now. Wh where are we gonna see when it comes to, uh, CO2, uh, emission and, and of course, good shipping,
Katarin Van Orshaegen (28:00):
Uh, it’s, it’s now 2022, uh, as you definitely see a lot of comp say goals for 20 25, 20 30. Um, so if they keep their words, those two milestones should have very big impact. Uh, a lot of people are pledging to reduce 20%, 30% by 2025. So that’s a sign that the man should only go up. I think, I think the world’s ready for it. Um, biofuels are a solution right now, but looking to the future, I don’t think they will be the only solution. Um, there’s a lot of new developments. You can see a lot of other types of renewable fuels. And I think the future is hybrids. I don’t think it’s gonna be fully biofuel. I think it’s gonna be a mix like you see on road or already electrification, really big on ocean. And you see gas is growing. Um, ships are being made for the future, but that’s a good thing is that we don’t have to wait for the future.
Katarin Van Orshaegen (28:54):
So I’m just hoping it’s gonna be something that goes hand in hand that companies don’t only say like, oh, by 2030, I’ll do that, but they don’t do anything right now. That’s a fear I have. That’s really a fear that people will wait, wait, wait until they have to reach the target, but I’m an optimist. So I think they will start reducing now. And I don’t know, I think, I think the world will be a different place in like five to 10 years. I think this will become more and more of the norm. And we will look back and think, how are we even in this world where admitting CO2 was so easy and fossil was so cheap and we had to do nothing. I, I really hope that it’s a thing of the past and that we all get to live it very soon,
Monica Roesch (29:35):
Hopefully so, well, the interview’s getting to an end. Uh, but before we go, how can our listeners connect with you and support shipping or learn more about you?
Katarin Van Orshaegen (29:45):
Uh, yeah, definitely. You can always reach out to me. I think there will be like a link somewhere, but you can just find me on LinkedIn with my full name, feel free to send me a message. Anytime you’re very reachable. Uh, and also on our good shipping website, we have our phone number and our contact, uh, inbox, and we’re still a growing organization. So we’re pretty reachable. Let’s put it that way. We’re always open for partnerships. Uh, we love to grow together with people in the industry. We don’t wanna do it alone. We have partners on every part of the whole chain, so, uh, feel free to grow with us and, uh, yeah, be one of our first in new continents. Maybe that would be great.
Enrique Alvarez (30:22):
Yeah. For, for everyone, for, for everyone listening to this episode. And we’ll definitely put all those different notes and contacts and links to not only you, but good shipping and you have a bright future. I truly believe that, uh, doing things the right way pays off and you have an amazing organization. This has been an incredible conversation. Thank you very, very much for doing what you’re doing. Please pass this, uh, thanks to your entire good shipping team. Uh, what you’re doing matters. I think what you’re doing is changing the world, so never give up, keep it up. And, um, thank you. Thank you so much. This has been, this has been great. Yeah.
Katarin Van Orshaegen (30:57):
Thanks so much. I did. I have the most amazing team behind me from like I legislation to innovation projects, to sales and marketing like you. Yeah. They’re just an amazing bunch. I’m just happy to be a spokesperson today.
Enrique Alvarez (31:09):
If you had to challenge our audience, um, KA that in one more time before we close our episode today, um, what would you tell to our audience? What would you challenge them with?
Katarin Van Orshaegen (31:19):
Uh, I often ask people like, if you would scale your company on a scale for one to 10 right now on a sustainability scale, where are you right now? And then as a follow up, why are you not doing anything about it?
Enrique Alvarez (31:31):
Well, there you go. Very powerful. Last words, Catherine. Thank you once again. Uh, very much. Thank you to everyone. Listening to logistics with purpose. Once again, this is Enrique Mon the team at vector. Uh, thank everyone. Thank you very much, uh, to supply chain now as well. And again, if you like the conversations, if you want to keep listening to, uh, interesting people, changing the world and making it a better place, don’t forget to subscribe. Have a good day.
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Katarin van Orshaegen is a multilingual professional with several years of experience in international sales management with a focus on sustainable Supply Chain & Logistics. She has a green heart, a practical business mindset, and an entrepreneurial spirit. When she first started in the field of Supply Chain in Belgium, her focus was on sales and operations planning and optimization. She started inbound marketing campaigns and focused on enriching current business relations as well as growing the client portfolio. As a long-time vegetarian and overall eco-conscious person, in 2020 she decided to move to Amsterdam to start working at the purpose-driven organization GoodShipping. GoodShipping wants to realize the shift to sustainable and fossil-free transportation for cargo owners. This was the perfect match between her supply chain background and her desire to help accelerate the energy transition. Connect with Katarin on LinkedIn.
Monica Aurora Roesch Davila has a Bachelor’s degree in Management and International Business from Universidad Panamericana in Aguascalientes, Mexico. She has work experience in purchasing, logistics, and sales for automotive companies, and is currently working at Vector handling some non-profit accounts and helping them achieve their goals. She also develops new accounts and plans with them the better routes and strategies for them to have efficient and cost-effective operations.
Monica believes that everything we do matters and that we can make a difference and impact the world in a positive way with our daily actions, so she tries to do her best every day.
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