Meet our experts: Morgana Capato

Hi! I’m Morgana, and shipping has been my passion for as long as I can remember. My journey started 16 years ago at the bustling Port of Santos in Brazil, where I dove into the fast-paced world of port operations. From there, I expanded my horizons, working with Hamburg Süd and later Maersk, which gave me a deeper understanding of global shipping.

At 30, I felt the need for a bold change. Leaving my comfort zone, I moved from Brazil to Sweden. It was a life-changing decision that pushed me to grow both personally and professionally. Not long after settling in, I joined Wallenius Wilhelmsen as a Voyage Operator. Six years later, I’m now a Voyage Operations Manager, to make sure every voyage runs like clockwork.

These experiences—adapting to a new culture, learning the ropes of port operations, and collaborating with global teams—have taught me the value of resilience, adaptability, and teamwork.

My role as a Voyage Operations Manager is all about creating a strong connection between what happens at sea and what happens on land. It’s like being the glue that holds everything together—and when the Ocean and Operations sides work hand in hand, our customers benefit the most.

Every day, I work with a wide range of people and teams—from ship crews, agents, and ports to our internal departments like Business Execution & Development, Operational Excellence, Chartering, and Marine Operations, among others. By aligning these moving parts, I help ensure our operations run smoothly, and we can quickly tackle any challenges that come our way. Projects like Pythia, which enhances vessel engagement and supports our Zero Emissions journey, are great examples of how we’re using innovation to improve efficiency and reduce our environmental footprint. Ultimately, bridging these gaps means our customers get reliable, timely service they can trust.

In Voyage Operations, no two days are the same. One moment, everything’s on track; the next, there’s a sudden schedule change or port congestion to deal with. These challenges come with the territory, but clear and timely communication makes all the difference.

Another big part of my role is understanding the realities of life at sea. Seafarers face unpredictable conditions, and our planning needs to reflect their circumstances. Building trust with our crew and encouraging open communication helps us address their needs and create solutions together.

There have been high-pressure moments, like severe weather threatening a voyage. In these situations, safety is always our top priority. Whether it’s bad weather, mechanical issues, or unexpected delays, my focus is on protecting our crew, cargo, and vessels. By staying connected with our teams and communicating clearly, we ensure safety comes first every time.

The shipping industry is constantly changing, and staying ahead means embracing both technology and teamwork. Challenges like market shifts, port congestion, and stricter environmental regulations require us to be flexible and innovative. We’re addressing these challenges by strengthening our processes, fostering collaboration, and leveraging technology. Tools like Pythia and the One View Dashboard provide real-time insights, streamline reporting, and improve performance monitoring.

But technology alone isn’t enough; trust and collaboration with our seafarers and teams are just as important. By creating a culture where everyone feels safe to speak up, we’re strengthening our connections and ensuring every voice is heard.

Bridging the gap between Ocean and Operations isn’t just a part of my job; it’s a mission I take pride in every day. And when everything comes together, it’s our customers who see the real benefits of our dedication and teamwork.