Meet Maritime Trainee Brage

Why did you choose a career in shipping?

From a young age I have tried to follow an international path with both my studies and travels. I have always been curious to learn about the rest of the world and meet people from diverse backgrounds. Choosing a career in shipping allows the possibility to work with people from all over the world, every day, which helps me develop my international business skills, gain a broad cultural appreciation and understand the Höegh business from a practical perspective. In Norway, shipping is also a part of our heritage, and I want to be a part of that great history.

I believe the future of shipping is a great career choice. With the company going through a transformational green shift to meet a net zero emissions target by 2040, I anticipate that there will be further exciting times ahead. This was a critical part of my decision to work in shipping – I really wanted to be part of this transformation and to do my part in helping the environment.

How has your experience been so far in Höegh Autoliners?

I have had the opportunity to work with many of our colleagues across the globe and have learnt a lot about business operations in the different regions. It is very interesting to see how the operations within the same company can be contrasting, dependent on the country and port we work from. Unfortunately, due to travel restrictions it has not been possible to meet in person, but it has been very rewarding to meet people virtually and build my network. Hopefully soon I will be able to travel abroad to see the operation of our vessels and get an even better understanding on how we work across the globe.

Do you have any tips for those who would like a career in shipping?

If you find the maritime sector interesting, applying for the Norwegian Shipping Owners Maritime Trainee program is an excellent opportunity to get a diversified view of the sector and your company. You need to show interest in shipping, either through your studies or work. I took a bachelor's in economics before I altered my route and got a master's degree in Shipping Management. I believe it was the combination of the two that helped me land a job in the Trainee Program.

My best advice would be to go abroad, as early as possible. It was the exchange year in the U.S. that I did during high school that kick started the idea of an international career and has pushed me to go abroad many times since. If you have the possibility to take a whole degree or a semester abroad, I believe this will broaden your horizon and benefit you considerably.