9 March 2026
Joséphine Moisson de Vaux – Innovation Coordinator, Marine Engineer
Interview
1. Could you briefly summarize your background and present your current role?
My name is Joséphine de Vaux, and I joined LD Armateurs in January 2025. After high school, I chose to pursue a scientific preparatory program with the goal of entering an engineering school.
After two years of preparatory classes, I was admitted to École Centrale Marseille, now known as Centrale Méditerranée, where I followed a general engineering curriculum during my first two years. In my final year, I specialized in maritime engineering and completed a work-study placement with a major shipping company based in Marseille.
I graduated with my engineering degree last year and currently hold the position of Innovation Coordinator within the EPI (Engineering, Project, Innovation) department.
2. What does your role involve? What are your main missions?
As my title suggests, my role is to coordinate LDA’s various innovation initiatives (studies, pilots, projects, etc.) across different departments, particularly the Business Units, the Technical Department, and EPI. I ensure alignment between all stakeholders, whether internal teams or innovative suppliers we collaborate with.
I am also responsible for structuring and formalizing the technical monitoring carried out within EPI on innovation-related topics aimed at reducing emissions and improving operational performance. These include alternative fuels, positioning and environmental measurement systems, electrification, digitalization, wind-assisted propulsion, energy recovery, and more.
Finally, I monitor emerging funding opportunities and identify those that may align with our ongoing or future projects.
3. What do you particularly enjoy about your job?
There is an incredible amount to learn. Because my role is highly transversal, I have the opportunity to meet and exchange with experts from many different fields within the maritime industry — whether within my department, more broadly at LDA, or in other companies, both in France and internationally.
It is extremely enriching, especially as a young professional just out of engineering school.
4. Three qualities necessary to perform this role well?
Curiosity is absolutely essential. I would also highlight adaptability and perseverance.
5. What does “We sail for the next generation,” LDA Group’s tagline, inspire in you?
To me, it reflects the Group’s commitment to innovation and its willingness to highlight forward-looking initiatives. It also expresses the trust placed in younger generations — both shore-based staff and seafarers — to address the challenges facing the maritime industry.
6. Which Group value resonates with you the most and why?
In my case, I would say the value that resonates most is “pioneering spirit.” In innovation, it is not only about testing ideas; it also involves risk-taking and exploration — dimensions that are inherent to novelty and perfectly captured by the notion of a pioneering mindset.
I also appreciate the idea that some of the solutions we are experimenting with today may become industry standards tomorrow. In that sense, we are contributing, at our level, to shaping the future of maritime.
7. What advice would you give to those — especially women — who would like to pursue a career in the maritime sector?
The maritime industry is a fascinating field that remains relatively unknown and niche, which is also what makes it so rich. Its diversity of professions, expertise, and operations creates an environment where you are constantly learning and never bored. For anyone wishing to enter this sector, staying curious, open-minded, and willing to learn from the people you meet along the way — whether colleagues with diverse backgrounds or experienced seafarers — is essential.
This advice applies to everyone, and especially to women, who are still underrepresented in the maritime industry. They absolutely belong in this field and have a great deal to contribute. Despite possible doubts or moments of discouragement, it is important to persevere, believe in your legitimacy, and help shift perceptions — until seeing women at every level of leadership in this industry becomes completely natural.
8. What is your motto?
I’m not sure I have a motto in the strict sense, but there is one that I really like because it’s slightly unexpected, yet very true. It’s a good one to keep in mind when you feel stuck or hesitant to take the leap, and it feels even more relevant in the field of innovation: 100% of winners took their chance.