The Norwegian Shipowners’ Association has appointed the country’s former minister of transport, Knut Arild Hareide, as its new chief executive.
Hareide will take over from Harald Solberg, who leaves the ogranisation after six years to lead the Federation of Norwegian Industries.
He is scheduled to take the helm in August, coming from the position of director general of the Norwegian Maritime Authority, where he has served since January 2022.
Hareide also served as a member of parliament from Hordaland and as the leader of the Christian Democratic Party from 2011 to 2019.
“Hareide has unique political expertise with long experience in parliament and government, and through his experience with the Norwegian Maritime Authority, he also has a very good knowledge of shipping and the maritime industry. We look forward to working with Knut Arild Hareide to ensure a continued active and good maritime policy,” said Harald Fotland, recently appointed president of the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association and CEO at chemical tanker owner Odfjell.
“I am looking forward to taking on exciting challenges in the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association. Shipping and the maritime industry are world-leading players that create value and jobs along the entire coast every single day. I have gotten to know the industry well through my job as shipping director and am very much looking forward to contributing to an industry that is forward-looking and highly adaptable, with high ambitions both in terms of decarbonisation and digitisation of the industry,” added Hareide.
