Meet Mike White, Team Lead, Performance

As part of the product team behind OpenOcean STUDIO, Mike leads a team of frontend and backend engineers developing the platform’s performance capabilities. With a background rooted in tackling complex technical challenges, Mike shares what drew him to helping vessel operators optimise routes, reduce fuel consumption, and cut emissions — driving both operational efficiency and environmental impact.

What motivated you to transition into the maritime tech space?

A combination of the huge technical challenges involved in modernising one of the world’s oldest and largest industries, alongside the opportunity to make a real environmental impact by helping to reduce the shipping sector’s carbon footprint.

Looking ahead, how do you see the product landscape evolving within maritime technology, and what opportunities do you think will shape the industry in 2025?

The continuing push for the maritime sector to reduce its carbon footprint through legislation and carbon reduction schemes is making it essential for the industry to adopt technology that helps measure, monitor, and manage emissions. This enables operators to optimise their operations, stay competitive, and maintain compliance.

What do you think sets OpenOcean STUDIO apart in terms of product development, and how does it contribute to the platform’s success and growth?

OpenOcean STUDIO has been designed and built in a modular way, allowing each part of the platform to be developed independently. Combined with the company’s organisational structure which empowers each product squad to remain highly agile and responsive to customer feedback.

What excites you most about the work you and your team are doing at 90POE, and how do you see it making an impact on maritime businesses and sustainability?

The product my team works on is heavily focused on route optimisation, which is highly relevant to the challenges the maritime sector will face in the coming years as the drive to reduce carbon emissions continues. Through the use of digital twin modelling, weather forecasting, and statistical analysis, we can provide alternative routes and execution strategies that help our customers reduce fuel usage, cut costs, and lower their carbon footprint.