A natural entrepreneur and determined self-starter, Ralph Matlack, seized the opportunity of studying for the Executive MBA in Shipping & Logistics (the Blue MBA) at Copenhagen Business School to develop his innovative industry-wide maritime initiative of bunkering ammonia vessels wherever they operate, with safety, precision and cost leadership.
The Blue MBA awards a graduate of each cohort with an award for the Best Integrated Strategy Project – ISP (Thesis) after the careful revision by a panel of judges. The criteria for the award are, amongst other things, originality, innovation, sustainability, digital transformation, and environmental issues. Ralph won this award on the 5th of August at the Graduation Ceremony of the Blue MBA Class of 2023. His ISP, already a three-digit billion-dollar industry, dealt with the industry in its early stage of development.
First, the industry analysis revealed three forces – cutting-edge technology given the new fuel type, geopolitics given the transition and taxation policies, and economics requiring long-term strategic commitment and partnership. Next, Ralph developed a resilient strategy for the company, Fourth Tack, driving technological innovation in a hybrid business model, producing world-class customer experience with scale and delivering extensive stakeholder management with win-win propositions. Finally, he conceived a unique go-to-market plan for the commercial delivery of green ammonia and achieving the net-zero goal of the shipping industry.
“I am absolutely honored to receive this award, especially from such an esteemed programme. I cannot understate the impact that the Blue MBA programme and my incredible cohort of classmates have had on launching me on a mission to accelerate the decarbonization of shipping, and I am profoundly grateful for this amazing experience,” says Ralph Matlack.
Many congratulations once again Ralph!