Lise Henriksen and Malin Gåsvær Haugen
The below is a translated version of an article in the Norwegian shipping business media ‘Kystens Næringsliv’, published on July 23, 2025. Written by Dag Bjørndal.
“It is an absolutely fantastic job,” says Malin Gåsvær Haugen to Kystens Næringsliv.
She has just returned home after sailing across Europe and to Trinidad in the Caribbean.
A world of opportunities
Malin works as a 3rd officer on Odfjell’s 183-meter-long chemical tanker, Bow Sky. “I have always had a passion for the sea,” she says.
Malin at the drydock
After completing secondary school, she served on one of the frigates of the Royal Norwegian Navy. She then earned a bachelor’s degree in nautical science and completed her cadetship at Odfjell.
Later, she got a master’s degree in maritime management with a technical specialization, by which point she was already working as a mate.
She explains that her education has provided her with almost limitless career opportunities, both at sea and on land.
Malin works in a rotation of two months on and two months off. She enjoys the long, structured days on board.
“It is an incredibly exciting job. No two days are the same. You never stop learning—there is always something new to discover. And there is always something to do on board,” she says with enthusiasm.
"It is always a pleasure to be with this crew,” says Malin, pictured here on deck with her colleagues, most of whom are from the Philippines.
A female captain
Like many other shipping companies, Odfjell has a policy ensuring that women are not alone on board. That also applies on Malin’s ship, which is captained by Lise Henriksen. The 39-year-old from Finnmark made history in 2023 when she became Odfjell's first female captain.
“Malin has sailed with us twice before. She is a pleasure to work with and always contributes to a positive atmosphere. Now she will be a permanent part of our crew, and that is very good news,” Lise says.
Both women have chosen career paths that are still uncommon for women. Only 15 percent of women hold leadership positions in the maritime industry, according to a 2020 survey by the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association. Only seven percent of seafarers are women. In international shipping, women make up a mere three percent of the global workforce.
Lise notes that while there have occasionally been female cadets on board, the only women currently sailing on the vessel are herself, Malin, and a stewardess from the Philippines. Malin is glad that Lise is her captain.
“But regardless of that, I have never experienced anything resembling a MeToo situation or any form of harassment. On the contrary, I would like to emphasize that the atmosphere on board is very positive. It feels like the crew is my second family. I feel fortunate.”
Malin with her colleagues on board. On the left is the first mate; the man in overalls is an able seaman
Raising awareness
Malin is proud of her job and enjoys sharing her experiences at recruitment events.
“It is rewarding to talk about daily life on board. People tend to know most about their own professions. However, there is so much more that people should understand about the shipping industry—especially here in Bergen. Its importance, and its global reach, are often overlooked.”
Bergen’s mayor, Marit Warncke, fully agrees.
“We have a significant maritime cluster. Many of our shipping companies have remained in the same families for generations. They operate worldwide. It is an exceptional industry, and people know far too little about it,” says the enthusiastic mayor.
“Without the port, there would be no city,” she adds firmly. Warncke also highlights the local Naval Academy and the naval base, which is currently undergoing expansion.
Malin at the Panama Canal
A new wave of women
“More and more women are stepping into leadership roles in shipping companies. It is fantastic that so many women, like Malin Gåsvær Haugen, are now choosing to pursue maritime careers.”
“Norway has the world’s second-longest coastline after Canada. It only makes sense that women should be part of this industry,” she continues.
Should Bergen be named Maritime Municipality of the Year? “Yes, who else?” asks Mayor Marit Warncke.
