For over 20 years, the International Business Association (IBA) has been bringing together entrepreneurs, top managers, engineers, IT specialists, and industry leaders from around the world. The main mission of the IBA is to form a professional elite, develop international economic ties, and create an environment for the implementation of innovative interdisciplinary projects. Today, the association’s members include representatives of key sectors of the global economy: information technology, transport, logistics, finance, engineering, and security.
One such member is Serhiy Subbotin, a software engineer with many years of experience in the field of shipping safety, digitalization of the maritime industry, and development of application software solutions for international transport companies.
Serhiy, your professional career is a rare example of combining two highly skilled professions: maritime navigation and software engineering. What is the key advantage of this combination?
My professional path has always developed at the intersection of two fields: IT and the sea. I have been working in the field of information technology since 2004, and in 2009, I received a second higher education in maritime navigation, realizing that modern shipping is increasingly dependent on digital systems and data. That is why I made a conscious decision to obtain a second higher education in navigation, in order to combine technical IT knowledge with an understanding of ship processes.
Practical experience with navigation systems, ship data, and operational processes has allowed me to understand the real needs of the maritime industry.
Working in the maritime industry taught me the discipline of working with critical data, responsibility for safety, and accuracy in decision-making, while software engineering gave me the tools to transform this practical experience into engineering and software solutions. As a result, I create products focused on the real operational needs of shipping companies, improving the safety, accuracy, and efficiency of processes in the maritime industry.
Membership in the International Business Association involves a rigorous professional assessment of candidates. What does joining the IBA symbolize for you?
For me, membership in the IBA is recognition of my professional level and engineering expertise at the international level. The association brings together specialists who work with large-scale systems and complex cross-industry projects, as well as industry leaders. The association highly values the real contribution of each member — the ability to create technological solutions that have practical value for a specific industry.
The IBA creates an environment for dialogue between professionals and leaders from different industries. The exchange of experience with colleagues who are recognized experts in their fields creates an indispensable foundation for the further international development and implementation of the plans of each IBA member. This includes access to international forums, industry conferences, closed expert meetings, and joint projects.
IBA is known for its strict selection criteria. How challenging is the membership selection process?
The selection process at the IBA is multi-level and involves a thorough expert assessment. Candidates must have proven professional experience, real achievements in their field, participation in significant international or industry projects, as well as recommendations from current members of the association or influential figures in the industry. The final decision is made by the IBA board after an interview and analysis of the professional profile.
For me, the key factors for admission were: many years of experience in the IT and shipping industries, engineering and software development in the field of shipping safety, the creation of applied IT solutions used for ship voyage analysis and operational risk management, textbooks and methodologies used by industry professionals, and the desire to constantly move forward.
You work at the intersection of information technology and shipping, are the author of the Maritime Data Integration Methodology (MDIM), and develop analytical solutions for the maritime industry. What technological areas are you working on today, and how do you see the further development of digitalization in shipping in the coming years?
My work focuses on the development of the industry at the intersection of information technology and shipping. In the book Maritime Data Integration Methodology (MDIM), I describe a comprehensive approach to integrating navigational, technical, and operational data into unified analytical platforms, which improves ship safety and overall operational efficiency for shipping companies. I am currently working on developing software solutions in the field of maritime analytics, in particular tools for analyzing ship voyages, determining downtime in ports, and assessing operational efficiency. These products are aimed at international shipping companies, port operators, and logistics providers. The goal is to help reduce financial risks and improve forecasting in complex logistics chains. In the near future, I plan to further develop IT solutions for the shipping industry, participate in international projects, and create tools that improve the safety, efficiency, and manageability of maritime transport.
Serhiy Subbotin’s experience demonstrates how combining IT and shipping knowledge helps create useful and practical solutions for the maritime industry, while membership in the International Business Association provides an opportunity to develop international cooperation and work on projects that are truly needed by the industry.
