At one of our recent events, I was joined by CEO John Veson for a live Q&A session on how Veson is approaching artificial intelligence, technology adoption, and the evolving needs of the maritime industry. The discussion covered everything from Veson’s founding story to the practical applications of AI in maritime today, and what the future may hold. 

Here are the highlights from that conversation. 

Russ: John, you’ve led Veson for over two decades. Did you envision this trajectory from the start? 

John: Not at all. I actually tried to step away from the industry. I had grown up working with my father, who built one of the earliest shipping software businesses in the late 1970s – a time when most of the industry still tracked vessel positions with paper and instinct. But when I returned years later, I found myself drawn back in by the global nature of shipping, the complexity of the workflows, and the potential for technology to make a meaningful impact. When I returned to the business in 2003, we focused on reimagining the software – building on the early versions of IMOS and moving towards a unified and standardized platform that could evolve alongside our clients. This became the foundation for everything that followed.  

Russ: What enabled the company to grow and endure without outside capital? 

John: We chose to grow organically so we could maintain control and stay focused on long-term client value rather than short-term returns. We also codified our values early on: Take pride in your work, Move forward, and Do the right thing. These values have been our compass, helping both us and our clients navigate constant change with consistency and care. 

Russ: Let’s talk AI. It’s everywhere in the news, but how does Veson approach it in practice? 

John: There’s a lot of speculation around AI. One thing that I want to make clear is that I truly believe in human intelligence. And that is especially true in shipping – this industry is reliant on human connection, empathy, and instinct. That said, a lot of the work that we spend our time doing is very tedious. And we can fix that. Here at Veson, we are focusing on practical and strategic applications that make work easier, not more complicated. Some examples of what we’re currently working on are: 

  • Automating laytime calculations by reading and interpreting contracts 
  • Letting users write rule-based workflows in natural language – no coding required 
  • Enabling users to ask, “What happened on this voyage?” and get context-rich answers instantly 
  • Validating data across unstructured documents to flag inconsistencies 

We see AI not as a buzzword, but as a set of tools that should be embedded within the workflows users already rely on and deliver real, practical value. 

Russ: You’ve mentioned using generative AI. How does that play out in the product? 

John: Generative AI helps us automate repetitive tasks and improve accessibility. Our platform can now: 

  • Generate contracts and invoices for approval 
  • Create voyage estimates and run calculations on command 
  • Identify anomalies in voyage P&L and explain why something deviated from plan 

We call it a “CoCaptain” – a digital assistant that helps users understand complex data and make better decisions. To do this well, we integrate multiple AI engines like Claude, Gemini, and GPT based on their strengths. 

To see how CoCaptain is transforming the claims management process, read all about IMOS X Claims CoCaptain.  

Russ: What broader opportunities do you see for AI in maritime? 

John: Maritime is already highly efficient in many ways, but there’s room to grow around alignment and collaboration, especially in areas like sustainability. Better contracts, shared incentives, and visibility tools can help owners and charterers optimize not just for price, but for outcomes like carbon reduction. 

Russ: What advice would you offer IT leaders facing digital fatigue? 

John: Change fatigue is real. Ironically, I believe AI can actually help us slow down, not by removing change, but by reducing complexity. Natural language interfaces and smart automation should make systems more accessible, not more overwhelming. The goal isn’t just faster decisions, it’s better ones with less friction. 

In fact, in a recent industry survey that Veson conducted we found 67% of maritime professionals reported that growing complexity in the industry is driving up operational costs – highlighting the need for technologies that simplify, not complicate. 

Want to see how Veson is embedding AI into the maritime workflow? Explore IMOS X Claims CoCaptain and Shipfix today.