Katerina Raptaki

With over 20 years at Navios, a global leader in seaborne shipping with a US stock market listing, Katerina is a driving force in digital transformation within the maritime industry. Possessing vast experience across Technology and Maritime operations, including Marine Satellite systems, Shipping software, Business Analytics, Cyber Security, Risk Management, Compliance and IT Governance, she has held managerial roles in the Engineering & Shipping sector for more than 36 years.

As a former President and current board member of AMMITEC, the Association of IT Managers in Shipping, and with a Naval/Mechanical Engineering degree from the National Technical University of Athens, Katerina brings unique leadership and project management skills to multimillion-dollar development projects, driving strategic planning and business growth.

Can you describe a typical day in the life of an IT Manager at a top maritime company? What are his/her main tasks and responsibilities each day?

In the small to medium-sized maritime business environment, the IT Manager operates as a versatile professional, often working independently or with minimal support staff. Their day typically begins with systems health checks across the organization’s digital infrastructure: email system, ERP software, 3^rd party software, network and internet connectivity, fixed and mobile telephony. Throughout the day, they have to deal with multiple tasks, from responding to urgent user requests to maintaining critical business applications. They are responsible for the induction and training of new users in the company’s IT environment and also for preparing their company IT equipment. They serve as the primary point of contact for all technology-related issues, handling everything from basic hardware troubleshooting to complex system installation, maintenance and optimizations.

The SMB Maritime IT Manager’s role extends significantly beyond office IT operations. They’re responsible for the entire maritime technology ecosystem, including vessels infrastructure setup, satellite communications installation and management, navigation systems troubleshooting and possibly repairs, IoT systems, crew welfare. This involves careful vendor selection, contract negotiations and often hands-on installation of all IT-related shipboard systems. They must ensure seamless connectivity between shore-based operations and vessels, while also managing crew training programs and preparing ships for technical audits. The role often involves extensive travel, both domestically and internationally. This may include visiting company subsidiaries, boarding vessels to install equipment or troubleshoot issues and even attending multiple vessels one after another. The demanding nature of the maritime industry requires IT managers to be available 24/7, as vessel operations cannot be disrupted due to IT issues. In some cases, IT managers may even need to travel with vessels to remote locations to resolve technical problems, when remote resolution is not possible. Despite the operational demands, they must carve out time for digital transformation initiatives, budget planning and also technology trend analysis. They attend industry conferences, pursue certifications and continuously evaluate new solutions to enhance operational efficiency. The challenge lies in balancing immediate operational needs with long-term strategic planning, all while maintaining robust cybersecurity measures and ensuring regulatory compliance.

In contrast, IT Managers in larger maritime enterprises may lead sophisticated technology teams and focus more on strategic direction and team coordination. They oversee specialized groups handling help desk daily operations, vessel IT support, cybersecurity and even software development. Their day involves more high-level planning and coordination, focusing on team performance, resource allocation, monitoring of external and inhouse teams and strategic technology initiatives. They regularly analyze security operations center (SOC) alerts, review system logs for potential threats and coordinate response strategies across their teams.

Enterprise Maritime IT Managers spend considerable time in strategic planning meetings with senior management, providing technological guidance and insights for business decisions. They oversee comprehensive cybersecurity awareness programs, manage large-scale digital transformation projects and ensure alignment between technology initiatives and business objectives. Their role includes monitoring enterprise-wide KPIs, participating in executive meetings with potential suppliers or business partners and maintaining relationships with key technology vendors.

These IT Managers lead initiatives in areas like AI, Machine learning, blockchain for maritime operations, Internet of things and Business analytics for fleet management. They coordinate with multiple departments to ensure technology solutions meet diverse business needs while maintaining compliance with international regulations and cybersecurity standards. At the same time, they must ensure that they stay within budget for the optimum allocation of resources in technology solutions. Their role is increasingly strategic, focusing on innovation, risk management and business value creation with the use of technology.

What are the key challenges in managing IT operations within the maritime industry?

The IT professionals of shipping companies face significant challenges. The demanding 24×7 nature of the business, along with the criticality of IT-related solutions like telephony, internet and email for ship-to-shore communication and emergency response, requires constant vigilance and problem-solving skills. Vessels are essentially remote offices across the globe, obviously without dedicated IT support on-site. This requires IT professionals to provide remote assistance, sometimes even without internet connectivity, while the vessel is offline, relying on email or phone guidance to tech-savvy crew members.

A malfunction in critical IT systems, such as navigation, communication or electronic charts (ECDIS), can have severe consequences for vessel operations. This could lead to navigation errors, delays and safety issues, impacting the business and of course its stakeholders. Prompt resolution of such problems is essential to minimize disruptions and restore normal operations, always at the minimum cost.

Cybersecurity is also a major concern and requires a robust and comprehensive approach, to protect shore-based equipment and IT assets, but also onboard systems. IT Managers must implement strong security strategies that address threats to both traditional IT and OT systems. The complex infrastructure of maritime vessels, often involving 3rd-party equipment and systems (charterers, shipmanagers, main engine or other systems manufacturers), adds to the challenge. Additionally, the industry is subject to strict regulations and audits, which necessitates compliance.

How do you stay updated with the latest technological advancements and trends relevant to the maritime industry? What resources or networks do you rely on for continuous learning?

Remaining current on the latest developments in IT and technology within the maritime industry is crucial for any IT Manager. However, this role extends beyond purely technological considerations. IT executives have a two-fold duty: to stay updated on the latest technological developments while simultaneously understanding the evolving business needs and regulatory landscape of the shipping industry.

To ensure continuous learning, it’s essential to leverage a variety of resources: there are numerous online courses / webinars by platforms like Coursera, edX and industry-specific providers like DNV GL, Lloyd’s Register and IMO. To further enhance professional development, obtaining certifications from IT and technology organizations can validate skills, especially in emerging technologies like Cybersecurity, Cloud, IoT, Blockchain, Business Analytics, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.

Furthermore, attending industry conferences and exhibitions, such as Posidonia, SMM and Nor-Shipping, provides opportunities to witness the latest innovations and at the same time to interact with industry experts.