Q&A with Sebastian Prowse, Senior Shipping Specialist

Sebastian is a Senior Shipping Specialist, responsible for guiding enhancements, product development and integrating new shipping features into the platform.

Prior to Vortexa, Sebastian worked at Wilhelmsen Ships Service as the Strategic Sales Manager and at BP as the Lead Voyage Operator for Fuel and Products and Commercials teams. 

Fun fact: Before working in shipping Sebastian was a cowboy! For weeks on end, Sebastian would drive cattle on horseback and motorbikes across northern Australia, for them to be loaded onto road trains and subsequently onto ships for export.

We wanted to find out what inspired Sebastian to join Vortexa, what some of his biggest milestones have been to date and what day-to-day life really looks like for a Senior Shipping Specialist...

What inspired you to join Vortexa?

Vortexa is an exciting young company that really is taking the trading and shipping industry by the horns and using data in a way that for so long, has just been imagined by people like me and turning that into reality. It's a great feeling to be a part of a company that is doing something positive for the industry.

''...working in a company like Vortexa has really opened my eyes to the challenges that can be solved by bringing people from the industry and technology together. Be brave and try something different!''

What would you say is the most interesting aspect of your role?

Working with some really curious and sharp minds. It is refreshing to work with people who do not necessarily have a background in shipping or trading but who provide a different perspective and actually solve a lot of problems along the way.

What have been some significant milestone moments for you at Vortexa?

The launch of the new Freight screens is the biggest moment so far. Everyone has worked together really hard to solve genuine practical industry challenges. On a personal level, I have learned a completely new way of working, which does not involve reading 400 emails a day!

What does day-to-day life look like for you as a Senior Shipping Specialist?

It is very varied. I find myself collaborating across all of Vortexa's teams to work on the shipping product development from; engineers, analysts, to sales and marketing. In my quieter moments I look at ways in which we can develop Vortexa's shipping universe.

''... Vortexa is an exciting young company that really is taking the trading and shipping industry by the horns and using data in a way that for so long, has just been imagined by people like me.''

What key qualities make a Senior Shipping Specialist successful?

The Vortexa platform is appealing to many different personas in the shipping world and it is important to understand the perspective of all of them to really solve the challenges in the industry.

How would you describe the culture at Vortexa?

Everyone is so welcoming and considerate. There is a can-do atmosphere from top to bottom, that is infectious enough to make you want to go that extra mile.

What advice would you give people hoping to join Vortexa?

There is an awful lot to be learned by non-tech people like me in the company. I came from what was a fairly traditional shipping industry career trajectory; working in a company like Vortexa has really opened my eyes to the challenges that can be solved by bringing people from the industry and technology together. Be brave and try something different!

Describe your working life at Vortexa in three words?

Collaborative, fast, and refreshing!