The theme this year was 'Cooperation in a fragmented world'. Chief Sustainability Officer Øistein Jensen participated in multiple panels and roundtables, among them the Sustainable Shipping Initiative, The Economist, UN Global Compact and Sustainability Live. Some of his key takeaways:

  • "The setting felt more urgent than usual. A record-breaking heatwave gripped London throughout the week, with temperatures reaching 36.7°C – the hottest June day in the UK on record. Rail services were disrupted, flights were delayed, and daily plans across the city had to adapt at short notice. It was almost as though the climate itself had something to say."
     
  • “The disruptions were a small but vivid illustration of what climate change already looks like in practice: not a distant scenario, but an immediate operational reality affecting infrastructure, logistics and everyday decisions. For a week dedicated to accelerating climate action, it was a powerful backdrop."
     
  • "The conversations in London reinforced something we already believe at Odfjell. Sustainability is no longer a separate topic sitting alongside business strategy. It is becoming part of strategy itself – embedded in how we manage risk, allocate capital, build partnerships and make operational decisions every day. The field is maturing: The focus has shifted from setting targets to delivering on them."
     
  • "There is genuine and growing interest in Odfjell's perspectives and experiences on the green transition. Shipping sits at the heart of global supply chains, and what our industry does – and how companies like ours lead – matters beyond our own sector."
     
  • "One theme that ran through almost every discussion was artificial intelligence. Not as a distant possibility, but as a practical tool available now. The message was consistent: AI will not replace the need for human judgment and commitment, but it will increasingly help us act smarter and faster on the sustainability agenda."
     
  • ​ "The transition is happening whether we are ready or not. The question is whether we lead it or follow it. At Odfjell, our answer is clear: we act with what we have, we improve every day, and we do not wait for someone else to solve it for us. We are not waiting for the perfect fuel, the perfect regulation or a future breakthrough to justify action. We are improving our efficiency, reducing our footprint and building the capabilities we need for a lower-carbon future — with the tools and knowledge available today."
     
  • "What that means in practice is that the work many of you do every day, whether you are at sea, in tankers, corporate, terminals or ship management, is connected to something that the world's most influential leaders gathered in London to discuss. The decisions we make as a company, and the standards we hold ourselves to, are part of the answer to a challenge that extends far beyond shipping."