ALBA INSIDER

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Charting New Horizons: Shipping Students Dive into Norway’s Maritime Industry

28 May 2025

WRITTEN BY Spyros Vougious

Director, Shipping Programs

Shipping Field Trip

There’s no better way to truly grasp the complexities of global shipping than by stepping into one of the industry’s most influential maritime hubs—Oslo, Norway. This year, shipping students from Alba Graduate Business School embarked on a five-day educational field trip to Oslo, a city at the heart of Northern Europe’s maritime innovation and tradition. What followed was a deeply enriching journey of professional exposure, cultural discovery, and community building.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Designed to complement Alba’s rigorous academic curriculum, this study trip provided firsthand access to key players and institutions across the maritime value chain. From shipping finance and chartering to environmental sustainability and maritime law, students explored a wide spectrum of real-world practices through dynamic sessions led by senior executives, thought leaders, and Alba alumni.

The program was meticulously organized by myself and Alexandros Glykas , ensuring an inspiring and cohesive educational experience, while Antonina Kalkavoura (Executive Director, Corporate Affairs) enriched the journey with a meaningful cultural dimension.

Day One: Industry Insights and Inspiration

The week began at Grieg Shipbrokers, a Scandinavian firm with a storied legacy dating back to 1884. David Billam (Shipbroker and Partner) delivered an engaging session, offering students a deep dive into the broker’s role and market outlooks.

Next, students visited the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association (NSA), where Maren Nygård Basso (Director and Head of Analysis) and Line Falkenberg Ollestad (Advisor) provided a comprehensive overview of Norway’s maritime industry and the NSA’s work on global challenges, including issues surrounding the shadow fleet.

At Frontline Management AS, the world’s largest oil tanker operator, students were welcomed by Lars Pedersen (CTO) and Marius Aasen (Head of Decarbonisation), who offered in-depth presentations on the SeaTankers Group, Frontline Technical and Flex LNG, Frontline Commercial, and SFL Corp.

A Visit to BI Norwegian Business School

At BI Norwegian Business School, Prof Christos Koulamas (Alba Interim Consultant), Claudia Carydis (ACG Vice President Public affairs), Dr. Alexandros Glykas (Alba Visiting Faculty) and Spyros Vougious (Director Shipping programs) was warmly welcomed by Prof. Randi Lunnan, Ass. Prof. Erna Engebrethsen, and Andreas Bilberg, marking the beginning of an exciting collaboration ahead of the upcoming Nor-Shipping event.

Day Two: Innovation, Sustainability, and Legacy

Day two brought the group to DNV, one of the world’s foremost classification societies. Jakub Walenkiewicz (Director of Maritime Markets & Trade) and Jason Stefanatos (Global Decarbonisation Director) delivered compelling presentations on the evolving global maritime landscape, regulatory challenges, and innovations in sustainable shipping.

Later, at the Wilhelmsen Group, students explored the company’s rich maritime heritage and global operations. Bjørge Grimholt (Executive VP, Maritime Services), Marius Steen (Group Communication Manager), and Lise Tenold-Kollstrøm (Junior Business Analyst) shared how the company blends tradition with innovation across its maritime services and ship management divisions.

Diplomatic Honors and Strengthening Maritime Ties

A standout moment of the trip was the meeting with Her Excellency Anna Korka, Ambassador of Greece to Norway. Thoughtfully organized by Claudia Carydis (Vice President, Public Affairs, ACG), the Ambassador graciously joined the annual Greek-Norwegian Alumni Dinner—an event hosted by Alba and co-sponsored by DYNAMARINe.

The dinner brought together students, alumni, and maritime professionals—including Erlend Holberg (YoungShip International) and Odin Aadland (Nor-Shipping)—fostering deeper connections and reinforcing Alba’s ever-growing global maritime network.

Final Day: Maritime Finance and Industry Perspectives

The final day featured an in-depth session at DNB Bank, Norway’s largest financial institution. Marius Thorvildsen (Alba alumnus and First VP, Ocean Industries) and Sigurd Gjone Gabrielsen (Client Manager, Shipping) led a case study on maritime lending, spotlighting trends shaping ship finance today.

The trip concluded at Fearnleys, a prestigious Norwegian shipbroking company, where Alba alumnus Spyros Grigoriadis (Tanker Broker) offered an insider’s perspective into the life of a shipbroker—complete with a warm welcome and a well-earned celebratory toast.

An Experience to Remember

This educational field trip to Oslo was far more than a series of company visits—it was an immersive, hands-on experience that brought theory to life. Students not only deepened their academic and professional knowledge but also developed valuable soft skills and expanded their international networks.

As we return to Athens with fresh insights and renewed ambition, we carry with us the inspiration, connections, and experiences forged in Norway.

Thank you, Oslo, for your warm hospitality—we promise to be back soon!

Charting New Horizons: Shipping Students Dive into Norway’s Maritime Industry

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Day One: Industry Insights and Inspiration

Day Two: Innovation, Sustainability, and Legacy

Final Day: Maritime Finance and Industry Perspectives

An Experience to Remember

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