Innovation Unplugged
Innovation Unplugged with Ryan Calkins: Reinventing Ports, Trade & Infrastructure
In this episode, Jim sat down with Ryan Calkins, Presidentof the Port of Seattle Commission and longtime leader across maritime operations, public policy, and infrastructure innovation. Together, they explore the critical role ports play in global trade, national security, and regional competitiveness - and why the last several years exposed just how essential modern port infrastructure has become. Ryan shares firsthand insights into: Why US ports lag behind Asia and Europe in modernization. How AI, data analytics, and connectivity are transforming port operations. The growing role of smart infrastructure and private 5G networks. The operational realities behind supply chain bottlenecks. Why startups often struggle to break into maritime ecosystems. Emerging opportunities around alternative fuels, electrification, and decarbonization. The massive transformation currently underway at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. From maritime logistics to airport modernization, thisconversation highlights how intelligent infrastructure and emerging technologies are reshaping the systems that move goods, people, and economies.
