Four decades, three continents, one team – the story of a career

When Knut joined Odfjell in November 1982, it was almost by coincidence. He had applied for a role in operations, but during the interview, he was asked if he might be interested in trying chartering instead.

“I said, ‘Sure’—without really knowing what that meant,” he says with a laugh.

That spontaneous decision turned out to be the beginning of a lifelong career in global shipping. A career that has taken him around the world, challenged him, and brought him into close collaboration with people from every corner of the industry.

Growth, grit, and global impact

Over the years, Knut has held a broad range of commercial roles at Odfjell, from Charterer and Vice President at Odfjell Tankers to Senior Vice President of Odfjell Gas Carriers.

Today, he serves as Manager for Special Projects and Scheduling, a position he has held for just over a year. His career has also included several international postings, including time in Saudi Arabia as Office Manager and in Singapore as Managing Director.

Knut was especially involved in Odfjell’s growth in India, the Middle East, and Africa from the late 80s until the start-up of Odfjell Gas in 2013. In the early days of exploring new markets, he sometimes had little more than a local phone book and determination to get started.

“In Mumbai in the late 1980s, we regularly used the phone book and started by looking up company names in the directory and knocking on doors. That is how Odfjell’s first chemical cargoes to India came about. By the late 1990s, Odfjell held a considerable share of this import market.”

Knut also contributed to building long-term partnerships with customers like SABIC and SASOL, collaborations that remain important to Odfjell to this day.

“It was always a team effort. We held our regular strategy meetings, made plans, and shared the responsibility in the larger global Odfjell team.  I am proud to have been part of those early developments.”

Photos: From north to south, east to west, Knut’s career has brought him from safari in Africa to skiing in Norway, camel riding in Riyadh and snake charming in Mumbai.

From Nesttun to the world

Knut did not have formal higher education, but he had something just as valuable: a curiosity about the world and an interest in the maritime industry, which he further developed during his mandatory service year in the Norwegian Navy when he was 19.

He was born and raised at Nesttun, not far from the Odfjell headquarters in Bergen, Norway. His career at Odfjell started at the headquarters, but it was not long before he was offered the opportunity to lead Odfjell’s office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 1990.

33 years old, he packed up and relocated—first alone, later joined by his family—during a time of rising political tension in the region.

“I moved to Riyadh a month after Saddam Hussein arrived in Kuwait. At one point, we were issued gas masks and full protective suits,” he recalls. “It sounds surreal now, but it was a part of everyday life there at the time.”

Despite the challenges, it became one of the most rewarding chapters in his life. Adapting to a new culture, leading a local team, and navigating uncertainty gave him a broader view of the world, a view that has stayed with him throughout his career.

“The only way to truly understand another culture is to live in it. That experience shaped both me and my family in a big way.”

Embracing change without losing touch

Looking back, Knut has witnessed a shipping industry that has transformed dramatically over the decades. From analog processes and paper logbooks to today’s digital tools and global integration, the ways of working have changed enormously. But the core values of Odfjell, he says, have remained remarkably consistent.

“There has always been a strong sense of initiative here. A willingness to adapt, to try new things. That innovative mindset has always been part of Odfjell’s DNA.”

And while he acknowledges that today’s work-life balance is different than in earlier decades, he still believes that shipping to some degree remains a lifestyle.

“In the early years, we worked long days. Phones rang constantly. You had to be all in. It helped to have a family that supported that.”

In those days, having a physical presence in key shipping hubs was critical. Without real-time digital tools or access to centralized data, success relied on being present, gathering information and insight fast, responding to changes quickly, and nurturing relationships face-to-face.

“You had to be there, in New York, in Tokyo, because so much of the job depended on what you saw, heard, and experienced on the ground,” Knut recalls. “The connections you built in person made all the difference.”

Today, operations are more centralized, and digital tools enable seamless communication across time zones. The need to be everywhere has changed, but it has not gone away.

“We might not need the same scale of physical presence today, but it is still important to stay close to customers and markets. That proximity matters.”

Odfjell currently operates offices in key locations worldwide. These strategic hubs support core areas such as chartering, operations, ship management, and customer service, ensuring Odfjell remains connected where it counts.

Knut has also seen a shift in how people interact and make decisions. Where conversations once happened face-to-face or over the phone, often two at a time, much of today’s communication is digital. That has brought efficiency, but also some distance.

“Back then, we spoke directly with people. You would sit down together and work through challenges. Today, things move faster, and sometimes you miss that personal connection.”

A footballer's mindset

Knut has always enjoyed football, both as a former player and now as a grandfather to several young fans. Much like in football, he believes that success at work comes down to teamwork, good communication, and everyone playing their part.

“You need people in every role who take ownership, care, communicate, and who support each other.”

That mindset has shaped how he has worked and how he has led.

“It does not matter if you are striker or keeper, if one part of the team breaks down, everyone feels it. That’s how it is in shipping too.”

Words of advice

After 41 years, Knut has plenty of wisdom to share. His top advice? Seize opportunities.

“You will be offered opportunities that might feel uncomfortable or unfamiliar, but that is where the growth happens. You do not always have to have a plan. Sometimes it is enough to stay curious and be open.”

He also emphasizes the importance of mindset.

“We are here for the ships, making sure they can operate efficiently, supporting our colleagues onboard; that’s how we improve the bottom line. Problems will come; that is part of the job. What matters is how you meet them. Stay positive. Most things can be solved.”

And finally, he reminds new colleagues that support, both at work and at home, makes a big difference.

“Shipping is a team sport. And not just at the office. You need people around you who cheer you on.”

What comes next

He has decided to hang up his Odfjell boots at the end of this year, joining the pensioner rank on January 1, 2026. He is certain that he will miss coming to work, and that he will miss the people the most: the informal chats, the teamwork, the excitement of adding a small parcel on one vessel or concluding a contract worth millions, solving problems together, always trying to improve.

“There is something about walking through the door in the morning and thinking: what is today going to bring?”

But looking forward, he is excited to spend more time outdoors skiing, hiking, and boating, as well as with his wife, three children, and eight grandchildren.

“Soon, I’ll get to be the one cheering from the sidelines. That is a role I am happy to play.”

Written by Liselotte Wedervang