Meet Alistair McConnachie, Business Development Director

With over 17 years of experience in the maritime industry, Alistair is a key member of our Commercial team based in London. His career spans chartering, broking, and maritime software, giving him a comprehensive understanding of the industry's challenges and opportunities. Passionate about innovation and sustainability, Alistair is dedicated to delivering solutions that enhance the safety, efficiency, and performance of our customers' assets and operations. 

Can you share a bit about your career journey and what led you to 90POE?

My journey in shipping began at 15 with work experience at Arrow Chartering. I later returned as a trainee broker on the Cape desk before transitioning to GFI’s Panamax team. After relocating to Singapore, I joined Thurlestone to help establish their Handy/SMax desk alongside a senior broker, later leading the operations team and gaining valuable commercial operations insight. Returning to London in 2016, I joined AXSMarine, where I developed a deep appreciation for how software can transform industry operations. ABS then recruited me to sell their Legacy ERP, expand the team, and launch new products. Meeting Richard Buckley at 90POE reinforced my belief that shipping software should leverage the latest technologies to help customers operate more efficiently and cohesively. 

What are the biggest challenges and opportunities you see shaping the industry in 2025? 

The shipping industry faces shrinking margins and growing regulatory pressures, and it seems like every day there's a new software being released, making it increasingly difficult to select and integrate the right solutions from a crowded marketplace. When I saw 90POE seamlessly addressing a wide range of vessel management needs on a single, cutting-edge platform, I knew I had to be part of bringing it to the industry. 

What is one key piece of advice you would give to businesses looking to optimise their operations? 

Integration is the cornerstone of efficiency, yet many companies struggle with disconnected systems that create operational silos. OpenOcean STUDIO addresses this challenge with modular solutions that seamlessly connect every aspect of a business, enhancing visibility, collaboration, and overall operational excellence. 

If you could address one myth about maritime tech, what would it be?

Software developers shouldn’t have to re-code their solutions to fit an organisation’s operations. Custom-built software often leads to rigid legacy systems that are costly and slow to update. OpenOcean STUDIO solves this by offering a flexible, continuously evolving platform that allows customisation without compromising scalability, leveraging the latest technology to adapt and grow with industry demands.