The invention and rise of steamships in the nineteenth century can provide valuable lessons for today’s shift from fossil fuels to green alternatives in the maritime sector. In this episode, History PhD scholar Carlos Ausejo discusses how the Peruvian port of Callao changed because of the switch from sail to steam, and how these insights can help steer policy today. He shows how technological change and the demand for coal had a major impact on the workforce, and the infrastructure of the port city. Carlos, from the Peruvian capital Lima, also describes his family’s own connections with nearby Callao. His great-grandmother was a pioneering woman as she worked in the masculine world of the port as a broker, buying and selling goods.

In this episode, Carlos shares his enthusiasm for studying at the University of Portsmouth, his affection for his new seaside home, and his interest in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard – his favourite place in Portsmouth. Carlos’ scholarship is funded by Lloyd’s Register Foundation as part of its support for the Sail to Steam, Carbon to Green research project at the Centre for Port Cities and Maritime Cultures (PCMC) at the University of Portsmouth.

The discussion in this episode also refers to an earlier interview in this podcast series with Dr Charlie McKinlay, Fuels and Technology Lead at Lloyd’s Register Maritime Decarbonisation Hub, in which he shared his thoughts about the multi-fuel future of the maritime sector (including ammonia, hydrogen and wind assistance).

The Port Cities and Maritime Cultures podcast series is presented by Dr Guy Collender, of PCMC.

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