Maritime Bergen chief executive Siv Remoy-Vangen has won this year's WISTA Norway leadership award.
The Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA) said she was recognised for important work in growing and future proofing the maritime industry "with a clear focus on the untapped potential women represent".
The chief executive said the time for action on the issue is now.
"And while I sometimes feel I am 50 years ahead of my time, the increased interest and focus on diversity we are seeing in our industry, gives me hope that we are moving in the right direction — one small step at a time," she said.
Remoy-Vangen added that she was deeply honoured to receive the award, especially when considering peers who have won it before her and the strength of the other nominees.
A distinguished field
"It fuels me, and I will continue to work for a sustainable maritime future, where women are equally considered for C-level positions as our male colleagues," she said.
Other nominees included Synnove Seglem, deputy managing director at Knutsen OAS Shipping; and An-Magritt Tinlund Ryste, product director for next generation shipping at Kongsberg Maritime.
Lasse Kristoffersen, chief executive of Torvald Klaveness, was also on the list, as was Gry Cecilie Sydhagen, the founder and chief executive of Metizoft, and Maryann Bendiksen, the first female captain at cruiseship owner Hurtigruten.
Remoy-Vangen has been actively involved in industry initiatives for many years since co-founding YoungShip Oslo.
Under her leadership, Maritime Bergen has become even more visible, open and engaged in mobilising and nurturing new leadership and next-generation focus, WISTA Norway said.
"Throughout her career, Siv has been heading up numerous projects directed at increasing the pipeline of female talents both onshore and at sea," the organisation said.
The chief executive was formerly vice president of project management at TTS, a charterer and shipbroker at Odfjell Tankers, and a shipbroking trainee at RS Platou.
Role model
“Siv Remoy-Vangen is a role model for women in the industry," WISTA Norway president Siri Sundal Shield said.
"Her voice and opinions are clear and courageous, she is enthusiastic, hardworking, creative, and full of collaborative initiatives. She stays true to herself, she fights current barriers and unconscious bias within our industry, while proactively pushing gender equality-focused initiatives."
WISTA has 3,500 members in more than 50 countries.
In Norway, the group consists of 200 business and thought leaders, both men and women.
Maritime Bergen represents and assists members on various subjects related to regulations, as well as projects and initiatives on how to attract future talent.
