# Birgit M. Liodden

> Birgit M. Liodden is a Norwegian entrepreneur and maritime executive based in Oslo. Founder and CEO of The Ocean Opportunity Lab, she previously founded YoungShip International and became the first woman to direct Nor-Shipping. Her work connects ocean and renewable-energy innovators with established industry and promotes younger professionals, women founders and environmental responsibility.

- **Role:** Founder and CEO at The Ocean Opportunity Lab
- **Organizations:** The Ocean Opportunity Lab, YoungShip International, Nor-Shipping, Oslo Business Region, Wilh. Wilhelmsen, WISTA Norway, Seatrade Cruise, 1000 Ocean Startups, Guardians of the Arctic
- **Nationality:** Norwegian
- **Education:** One year of secretarial studies; qualification not specified, Wang, Project management courses; degree not specified, BI Norwegian Business School
- **Known for:** Founded YoungShip International in 2011., Received the WISTA Norway Leadership Award in 2012., Became the first female director of Nor-Shipping in 2015.

## Career timeline

- **1998** — Left school at 16; later worked through Toptemp and studied secretarial skills.
- **2006-2011** — Worked at Wilhelmsen, progressing from HR assistant to global project manager.
- **2009-2011** — President of YoungShip Norway.
- **2011** — Founded YoungShip International and became its first secretary general; also ran a project-management consultancy.
- **2012** — Received the WISTA Norway Leadership Award.
- **2015** — Appointed director of Nor-Shipping, the first woman in the role.
- **2018** — Joined Oslo Business Region as director of sustainability, ocean industries and communication; interviewed Barack Obama at Oslo Business Forum.
- **2019** — Founded The Ocean Opportunity Lab and launched its floating entrepreneur hub aboard M/S Bjørvika during Oslo Innovation Week.
- **2022** — Ranked 94 in Lloyd’s List One Hundred People.
- **2024** — Named Seatrade Cruise Sustainability Ambassador in November.
- **2026** — Discussed deep-sea-mining moratorium advocacy and alternative-solution mapping on Ocean Collaborations.

## Achievements

- Founded YoungShip International in 2011.
- Received the WISTA Norway Leadership Award in 2012.
- Became the first female director of Nor-Shipping in 2015.
- Launched TOOL’s floating entrepreneur hub in Oslo in 2019.
- Included at number 94 in Lloyd’s List One Hundred People 2022.
- Named Seatrade Cruise Sustainability Ambassador in November 2024.
- Finalist for Initiative of the Year at Nordic Women in Tech Awards 2025.

## Latest updates

- **2026-04** — Appeared on Ocean Collaborations on April 16, discussing collaborative ocean initiatives, female-founder visibility and work backing a deep-sea-mining moratorium.
- **2026-03** — Publicly shared WISTA Norway Leadership Award 2026 finalists as a member of its nomination committee.
- **2025-09** — Announced her Initiative of the Year finalist recognition for Nordic Women in Tech Awards 2025.
- **2024-11** — Appointed Seatrade Cruise Sustainability Ambassador.

## Links

- Website: https://theoceanopportunitylab.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/birgitliodden
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shippingsocialist/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/birgit-liodden
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-22