At Anglo-Eastern, lifelong learning is more than a value – it’s a commitment to shaping resilient, forward-thinking maritime professionals. The Blue MBA at Copenhagen Business School exemplifies this ethos, offering a transformative experience that blends academic rigour with real-world relevance. Recently, our Chief Operating Officer Carsten addressed the graduating class, reaffirming the importance of continuous development in a rapidly evolving industry. A fun fact is that Carsten graduated from the programme in 2007 and has been part of the worldwide alumni ever since.
We also spoke to several other colleagues who have undertaken the Blue MBA to hear how the programme has shaped their careers and perspectives.
Matthias Becker, who heads Anglo-Eastern’s Hamburg Office, enrolled in the Blue MBA in 2009 when he was working for Wärtsilä in Switzerland, driven by a desire to deepen his understanding of business administration and strategy within a shipping context. Despite initial concerns about balancing studies with work and family, he found the programme’s shipping-focused modules and diverse cohort invaluable.
They had intense sessions on shipping business, supply chain management, ship financials, design, legal frameworks, strategy and leadership. The class was a great mix of everything – gender, age, culture, background.
“The greatest assets of the Blue MBA are the students and lecturers,” he shared. “Every session was an interactive discussion among passionate professionals.” Matthias graduated in 2011 and returned in 2024 for a refresher course in ship management, underscoring his belief that “learning will never end.”
Nishant Kumar, Director of Marine Operations at Anglo-Eastern Cruise Management in Miami, a Class of 2019 graduate, was inspired by CEO Bjorn Hojgaard to pursue the Blue MBA.
With a maritime career that began at 17, Nishant found the programme both rewarding and transformational, fostering close connections to discuss industry challenges. His Integrated Strategy Project explored Anglo-Eastern’s potential diversification into the cruise industry. “Lifelong learning is instinctive for ex-seafarers,” he noted. “To grow, adapt, and find purpose, we must embrace continuous learning.”
Rahul Balani, Deputy Fleet Manager in our Hong Kong Tanker Team, completed his MBA between 2019 and 2021, motivated by a desire to understand all verticals of the shipping industry. He valued the diversity of the cohort and the calibre of the faculty.
“My fellow students were drawn from many different professions and segments within the global maritime industry, and we would all sit and discuss the various challenges we were given, offering our unique perspectives. Lawyers, technicians, executives and managers all came together to create solutions, and that’s a great way to learn. The dynamics and widespread competencies available in the classroom are amazing. At the same time, you have strong and reputable teachers who are well-known and well-versed in all the intricacies of the industry, and their insight is invaluable,” he said.
Rahul’s final research paper proposed strategic improvements to Anglo-Eastern’s tanker management framework. “I didn’t have a weekend off for two years, and I made a sacrifice to complete the course whilst in parallel running a full demanding day job – all of us did – but you need to really want it if you are to succeed.” Rahul emphasised the importance of resilience and prioritisation, adding, “You need to invest in yourself. The skills I gained help me every day.”
Anindya Chakraborty, Assistant General Manager, Marine HR in Mumbai, is currently enrolled in the programme, viewing it as a leadership responsibility. Working in Marine HR, Anindya is passionate about building talent pipelines and future-proofing the industry. “Shipping is about people,” he said. “By investing in my education, I’m shaping better systems for career progression and safety.” He believes lifelong learning is essential for staying relevant and driving innovation in areas like decarbonisation and digitalisation.
As any well recognised programme, the Blue MBA is not merely a qualification, but also a journey of growth, connection, and contribution. As the aforementioned stories show, lifelong learning empowers maritime professionals to lead with insight, adapt with agility, and shape a better future for the industry.
