For Giftson Eliyesar, Director of New Business at Veson Nautical, the maritime industry is all about thriving in a changing world. With more than 15 years of experience supporting digital transformation across the shipping industry, Giftson works closely with owners, operators, traders, and commodity producers to integrate new digital solutions that allow them to make smarter, faster decisions across the chartering and operations lifecycle.

Eliyesar’s career reflects a combination of technical training, operational exposure, and cross-regional leadership. Initially trained in computer science, in 2010 he relocated from India to Singapore, where he took on a procurement and logistics role within a consumer goods production environment. That position required hands-on management of inventory, shipment scheduling, and supplier coordination for raw materials, including interactions with major shipping lines. This operational exposure introduced him to shipping through practical execution rather than theory, forming the foundation for his later specialization in maritime technology.

Building on that experience, Eliyesar transitioned into the maritime technology sector, joining solution providers that supported vessel operations, including stowage planning and loading computer systems for container ships. These roles deepened his understanding of how technology enhances efficiency, safety, and communication across operations. To complement his technical background, Eliyesar pursued further education in naval architecture and ship design, enabling him to bridge digital systems with the physical and operational realities of vessels.

Throughout his career, Eliyesar has focused on change management as a core component of digital transformation. In his view, digitalization in shipping depends largely on teams’ readiness to embrace change and opportunities for growth. Transformative initiatives are most effective when they are grounded in trust, clear value creation, and an understanding of regional and cultural differences. Shipping’s global nature, combined with its continuous operating environment, requires solutions that are adaptable to local workflows while remaining consistent at an enterprise level.

Eliyesar’s leadership approach is shaped by long-term relationship building. Commercial success in shipping, he says, is closely tied to credibility and continuity, particularly in an industry where partnerships often span multiple years and market cycles. He advocates for a “think globally, act locally” mindset, noting that each company, region, and operational context has distinct priorities and constraints. Addressing these differences directly, rather than imposing standardized change, is key to integrating new technologies, particularly AI. 

Looking ahead, Eliyesar sees the maritime industry becoming increasingly connected, transparent, and data-centric. He believes the next phase of transformation will be driven by integrated digital platforms that break down silos across the maritime workflow. Increased visibility across the voyage and contract lifecycle will enable faster, more informed decision-making, while supporting both commercial performance and sustainability objectives. Such capabilities will prove more necessary than ever as conditions change at rapid pace, forcing teams to make sudden changes and quick decisions.

For Eliyesar, AI and trustworthy data are critical for managing the growing complexity of shipping, particularly as regulatory requirements, geopolitical risks, and decarbonization pressures continue to rise. Eliyesar emphasizes that AI’s primary value lies in its ability to surface the right data at the right time, reducing tedious, repetitive work, and unlocking more time for teams to focus on critical strategic work. However, he also stresses the importance of keeping humans at the center of everything maritime companies do, driving the relationships and decision-making that power the industry.

By keeping the focus on trustworthy systems and deep human expertise, Eliyesar believes companies can not only keep up with the rate of change, but set the pace. Teams that can stay agile and resilient in a time of great digital change will have the tools and mindset in place to seize opportunities as they continue to arise across the industry.

Eliyesar will be speaking about the future of AI in maritime and what could be next in the industry on February 5 at the India Tanker Shipping and Trade Summit.  Join him and other industry leaders to discuss the biggest trends and opportunities in maritime. 

Source:  TST News Desk  

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