Women in Maritime Today: Hanwha Ocean Europe’s Claire Wright encourages adaptability and curiosity

Claire Wright’s career in the maritime industry spans more than two decades, during which she has played a pivotal role in advancing ship technology and sustainable fleet management.

Now chief executive of Hanwha Ocean Europe, Ms Wright leads the company’s strategic efforts in shipbuilding and new technology, focusing on sustainability, retrofitability and long-term fleet solutions.

Her role requires a blend of technical insight and commercial expertise, ensuring the company offers customers new vessels and retrofits that are both future-ready and environmentally compliant.

Her journey into the maritime sector began with a passion for global trade and logistics.

“My career started at Maersk, where I was fortunate to gain exposure to the operational and financial sides of shipping,” she said.

This experience set the foundation for later roles at Shell, where she was responsible for long-term fleet acquisition, decarbonisation strategies and the commercial deployment of new technologies such as LNG and hydrogen-fuelled ships.

At Shell, she led initiatives that brought some of the industry’s first lower-emissions LNG-fuelled tankers into operation and played a key role in developing emissions-reduction strategies for Shell’s sizeable ship portfolio.

“One of the biggest challenges is balancing commercial viability with environmental responsibility,” she explained. “There is no single solution, and we have to work with each value chain when assessing new technologies.”

Ms Wright has always been proactive in shaping her own career path.

“When I first started in the industry mentoring wasn’t really a ‘thing’ and it’s great to see how that has changed. I have had the privilege of working with some fantastic leaders, who gave me the opportunity to stretch myself and gain new experiences. I have also looked outside our industry for role models to learn from,” she said.

“But ultimately, I’ve always looked for opportunities where I can make a difference – whether that’s in driving the deployment of new solutions or implementing new business models.”

One of the most pressing issues facing the maritime sector, she believes, is ensuring regulatory and technological advancements align with real-world operational needs.

“The push for decarbonisation is essential, but we need practical, scaleable solutions,” she said. “Retrofitting is a key part of this – extending the commercial operability of existing ships and designing ships today that can adapt to future fuels and technologies is crucial.”

Reflecting on advice for those considering a maritime career, she encourages adaptability and curiosity.

“This industry is constantly evolving, and there are so many ways to get involved,” she said.

“Whether it’s engineering, operations, finance or environmental strategy, shipping offers incredible opportunities for those who want to make an impact.”

Her own career – spanning technical consulting, commercial leadership, and now executive management – demonstrates that impact comes from a willingness to embrace change and challenge the status quo.