Building knowledge in a dynamic at-sea environment 

Maritime Trainee in 2021, Thea Kruse Valvatne
DATE 11.01.2022

Since joining Höegh Autoliners as a Maritime Trainee in 2021, Thea Kruse Valvatne has had some amazing experiences. The best so far? A hands-on trip on the Höegh Trigger, a roll-on/roll-off vessel that can carry 8,500 cars.

Thea says,

Being on the Höegh Trigger was a brilliant experience. I participated in almost every operation on board and met some amazing people. I feel very lucky to be an employee in Höegh Autoliners.

says CEO of North Ammonia, Vidar Lundberg.

As a Maritime Trainee, Thea is exposed to different projects within the organisation, gaining experience that she can use in her future career. Thea studied marine technology and seeing that technology in action on a vessel is an important step in her development.

“I knew about all the components from school, but now I have much more knowledge about how it all really works,” she explains. “For example, I saw the magnitude of logistics needed for every operation. I went through the planning with the team, and the next day got to see it all in real life. There’s a huge amount of effort required to ensure the vessel runs smoothly and operations are completed on time.”

Welcoming pilots at high speed

For Thea, it’s hard to choose a single highlight from the trip, but she was perhaps most impressed by the docking procedures. During its 12-day journey, the Höegh Trigger called at Gothenburg, Bremerhaven, Antwerp, Le Havre, Southampton and Santander – and every stop was a high-precision operation.

“The pilots that guide the vessel into port come on board at really high speed, climbing from the pilot boat up a ladder while the vessel is in full motion – it’s quite impressive to see,” she says. “And I really enjoyed helping the crew with the mooring operation. It was great to see how it is actually done.”

Towards a carbon-free shipping industry

Thea is keen to grasp the international career opportunities offered by the shipping industry. Her long-term goal is to be part of creating a zero-emissions future. She wants to contribute to the maritime industry’s carbon reduction targets – and understanding how our vessels operate will stand her in good stead.

Thea adds,

Höegh Autoliners has already taken a giant leap towards greener operations and I believe we will see even more changes in the near future. I need to understand as much of the business as possible if I’m going to be part of these changes. Being a Maritime Trainee at Höegh Autoliners is an excellent way to do that.
rail cargo shipment

28 January 2022

Reliable partner for delivery of rail coaches

Rail projects usually have tight delivery times so having a reliable shipping partner is important. With Höegh Autoliners’ experienced team, specialised rail handling equipment, and unbeatable liner service, SARR Freight India was confident they were in safe hands. 

Read next

Latest news

hoegh vessel

19 June 2024

Höegh Autoliners secures significant Enova funding for four ammonia-powered Aurora vessels

Today, Höegh Autoliners was granted NOK 109,4million in increased Enova funding as part of its “Ammonia fuelled vessel programme” to ensure that four of Höegh Autoliners’ Aurora Class vessels can run fully on ammonia when they are delivered in 2027. The company will in total receive NOK 255,4 million in Enova funding.

Read more
roro shipping

18 April 2024

Increasing focus on sustainability in RoRo shipping

With an increasing focus on sustainability, the leading RoRo shipping companies are introducing more environmentally friendly methods to meet customer demands while preserving the oceans and maritime life. This article will explore some of the most prominent initiatives in RoRo shipping today.

Read more
roro car shipping

18 April 2024

The ABCs of RoRo Shipping: A Comprehensive Guide for Car Owners

Roll-on/Roll-off or RoRo shipping is one of the most popular choices for car owners looking to transport their vehicles across long distances or overseas. As the name suggests, this ocean shipping method allows cars to be driven directly onto a specialized RoRo vessel and driven off at the destination port, making this process highly efficient. If you are planning to ship your car internationally, this guide will explain how RoRo works and what you should know.

Read more