This podcast for the maritime industry brings the German perspective to the world and global insights to Germany. The host is Matthias Catón, the Managing Director of the German Maritime Centre. He interviews a wide variety of guests who provide interesting new perspectives, covering shipbuilding and suppliers, shipping, port operations, logistics and offshore business.
The podcast is geared towards business professionals in Germany and abroad and to those who want to learn more about the industry.
We publish new episodes every second Tuesday of the month. Maritime Matters is available on all major podcast platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and Pandora.
In this episode, Dr Matthias Catón welcomes Dr Walter Kuehnlein, principal of NRG.Vision and a veteran offshore engineering strategist. Drawing on nearly four decades of global offshore experience across oil, gas, and renewables, Walter Kuehnlein offers a unique perspective on the transition to maritime energy in Germany and beyond. The conversation explores the technical, strategic, and economic realities shaping offshore wind, port infrastructure, and the broader energy value chain.
10 Sept 2026
Digital Transformation in Logistics
In this episode, Dr Matthias Catón, Managing Director of the German Maritime Centre, welcomes Julian Kakarott, CEO of the Digital Hub Logistics and Commerce in Hamburg. Drawing on his experience as both an entrepreneur and innovation ecosystem builder, Julian Kakarott shares insights into how the Hub has become a catalyst for collaboration and digital transformation across logistics, retail, and maritime sectors.
Their discussion explores why innovation works best through openness, peer exchange, and international partnerships, highlighting the practical realities and opportunities for companies of all sizes within and beyond the maritime value chain.
15 Jul 2026
Maritime Security
In this episode of Maritime Matters, Dr Matthias Catón, Managing Director of the German Maritime Centre, sits down with Professor Christian Bueger, professor at the University of Copenhagen, a leading voice in maritime security and global governance. Professor Bueger, who has advised the United Nations Security Council, NATO, and the European Council, shares key perspectives on varied topics and discusses the evolving risks and realities facing the world’s oceans.
Their wide-ranging conversation uncovers the complex web of threats at sea – from piracy and smuggling to the vulnerabilities of undersea infrastructure and the increasing “crowdedness” of the maritime domain. Together they examine why maritime security matters not just for industry, but for the resilience of the global economy, energy supply, and digital infrastructure.
11 Jun 2026
The Ocean's Role in Maritime Futures
Dr. Matthias Catón interviews Professor Jochem Marotzke about the ocean's critical role in climate futures, exploring observation, prediction, and research for maritime decision-making.
14 May 2026
Maritime Business in Transition
Dr. Matthias Catón interviews Burkhard Sommer, PwC's Maritime Competence Centre head, exploring German maritime business transitions, consolidation, and global volatility.
9 Apr 2026
Maritime Decarbonisation
Host Matthias Catón interviews Jason Stefanatos, Global Decarbonisation Director at DNV Maritime, about the complex realities and strategic choices for maritime decarbonisation, including alternative fuels and regulatory pressures.
12 Mar 2026
Law of the Sea in Transition: Governance and Regulation on the High Seas
Dr. Matthias Catón interviews Professor Nele Matz-Lück about evolving maritime governance, the new high seas treaty, and the future of ocean law.
12 Feb 2026
Hamburg as a Maritime Conference and Exhibition Hub
Host Dr. Matthias Catón interviews Claus Ulrich Selbach about Hamburg's rise as a premier maritime conference and exhibition hub, revealing insights from over 25 years in the events sector.
8 Jan 2026
UN Ocean Decade Midway Review and the Impact of the BBNJ Treaty
Dr. Matthias Catón interviews Vidar Helgesen on the UN Ocean Decade's midway review and the BBNJ treaty's impact on ocean governance and the blue economy.
11 Dec 2025
Research-Industry Collaboration in Ocean Protection
Dr. Matthias Catón interviews Dr. Joachim Harms about fostering vital research-industry collaboration for effective ocean protection and sustainable maritime practices.
13 Nov 2025
Coastal Shipping in India
Dr Matthias Catón interviews Captain Vikas Vij and Mr Ravi Kumar Moka about India's coastal shipping transformation, government targets, and international engagement prospects.
9 Oct 2025
The Waterborne Technology Platform and the EU's R&D&I policy
Host Dr. Matthias Catón interviews Jaap Gebraad, Secretary General of the Waterborne Technology Platform, exploring EU R&D&I policy and the future of zero-emission maritime transport.
12 Sept 2025
European Maritime Industrial Strategy
Host Dr. Matthias Catón interviews Dr. Reinhard Lüken about Europe's maritime industrial strategy, exploring shipbuilding competitiveness and securing the industry's future.
Who has been a guest on Maritime Matters
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Jochem Marotzke
Burkhard Sommer
Jason Stefanatos
Nele Matz-Lück
Claus Ulrich Selbach
Contact Maritime Matters
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Questions about Maritime Matters
Who hosts Maritime Matters?
Matthias Catón and Dr Matthias Catón host the show. Published by German Maritime Centre.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes bi-weekly, based on its RSS feed.
Does Maritime Matters take guests?
Yes. Guests have been identified in episode analyses.
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