Maya Zimmerman's background in biology and environmental studies gave her a deep understanding of climate change and a clear sense of where she wanted to make an impact. As Customer Programs & Success Manager at Sofar Ocean, she works with some of the world's largest shipping customers, helping them get the most out of Wayfinder and make smarter decisions for their fleets and the planet.
In honor of International Day for Women in Maritime, we reached out to Maya to hear how her science background shapes her work, and where she sees the maritime industry heading on decarbonization.
My prior education and professional experiences were rooted in biology and environmental studies, where I focused the majority of my time on the global impact of climate change. In my current role at Sofar Ocean, I work with some of our biggest shipping customers to educate them on the Wayfinder platform, understand their fleet goals, build trust within the system, and uncover the tooling and support they need to make the most effective business and environmental decisions.
I was looking for a role where I could apply my science background and passion for the ocean in a practical, real-world way. When I discovered Sofar Ocean, it seemed like the perfect fit. With limited prior exposure to the maritime industry, I quickly learned how we could make an impact in the voyage optimization space; with our proprietary weather data and optimization technology, shipping can be quicker, cheaper, and most importantly, greener.
A volatile market means decisions need to be made fast, and Wayfinder can help. Daily guidance tracks changing conditions and delivers real-time optimal routing that fits our customer needs. The trade-off between commercial and weather considerations is unique to each fleet, and Wayfinder's route comparisons put the cost of bad weather, route diversion, and speed adjustments at customer fingertips so they can make the best decisions for their fleet.
I think the biggest opportunity lies in the creative approaches being taken toward decarbonization. Beyond the current solutions like wind propulsion and voyage optimization, there are also emerging technologies and alternative fuel options that can help shipping companies move in the right direction to meet their sustainability targets, reduce emissions, and help the broader planet.
Crater Lake! I lived in Oregon for a year, but we never made it there. The photos remind me of the crystal-clear water of Lake Tahoe, and it's definitely on my list to visit someday.
