Royal Norwegian Consulate General in San Francisco

??♀? Walking the Walk and Talking the Talk in Manhattan #NYC?? Last week, the heads of the Norwegian Embassy and Consulate Generals met in #NewYork for this year’s Team Norway Strategy Meeting. Norway’s Consul General in New York, Heidi Olufsen, had the pleasure of hosting this year's Team Norway meeting - gathering key players advancing Norwegian interests in North America. Here seen walking through the streets of Manhattan with Norway’s Ambassador to the U.S., Anniken Huitfeldt, and Consul General in San Francisco, Gry Rabe Henriksen. The U.S. is Norway's closest ally and a key partner in areas like security, trade, and innovation. Team Norway’s goal is to strengthen these bonds through collaboration, ensuring Norwegian businesses thrive and U.S.-Norwegian trade and collaboration continues to grow. A heartfelt thank you to all participants—and a special shoutout to the Norwegian-American Chamber's of Commerce/NorCham's for showing up in full force! ?????? Innovasjon Norge | Royal Norwegian Consulate General in San Francisco | Norwegian Embassy in Washington, D.C. | Norwegian Energy Partners (NORWEP) | Eksfin - Eksportfinansiering Norge | The Norwegian-American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. | NorCham USA | Utenriksdepartementet | Anniken Huitfeldt | Gry Rabe Henriksen | H?kon Haugli | Heidi Olufsen

What an incredible TMA BlueTech? Week in San Diego!???? A huge shoutout to Matt Classen and his outstanding team for bringing together such a visionary and diverse group of innovators and experts! Leaving inspired and optimistic after learning about all the groundbreaking solutions addressing the challenges facing the blue economy and maritime sector. From zero-emission propulsion technologies to autonomous maritime systems, underwater drones, ocean mapping, and carbon capture solutions – the future is exciting and bright, full of opportunities!? A special thanks to Michael D. Brasseur, Simon Powell, Michael Kruk, and Stephen Zoltan Kelety for our engaging panel discussion. The Norwegian Ocean Autonomy Cluster, including Frode Halvorsen, Bernt-Johan Bergshaven, Tor-Inge Johannessen Eriksen, and Tore Norheim Hagtun, continues to impress with their expertise. Appreciated our conversation David Velasco and your insights on Nortek's work oceanography and subsea tech. Always a pleasure engaging with the US Department Of Commerce team, exploring mutual interests and identifying new areas of cooperation – Rod Hirsch, Jacqueline Roeder, and Evelina Scott. Great to catch up with Renée Yarmy, LEED AP OM and Jason Giffen from the Port of San Diego and learning about SWITCH Maritime LLC new milestone from Seamus Nolan. Looking forward to forging new partnerships for the Seilskipet Statsraad Lehmkuhl visit with you Luc Lenain! Already excited about next year’s TMA BlueTech Week! Let's keep the momentum going!!???? Jethro Beck | Caitlin Hardy | Michael B. Jones | Sergey Chekov | Brendan Gray | Gregory Laugle | Jim Haussener | Clark Suprynowicz | Madeleine White, PE | Haakon Vatle | Sharon R?e | Finn Gundersen | Idar Voldnes | Maritime CleanTech | Remota | Jonas Tesfu | Royal Norwegian Consulate General in San Francisco | Innovation Norway

Norway to host Internet Governance Forum next year?? Norway has been entrusted by the United Nations to host the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in June 2025 ?? – the world’s largest platform for discussing the future of the internet. This will be the largest UN meeting ever held in Norway, bringing together 4,000 in-person participants and thousands more online. In a time when the principles of an open, free, and secure internet are under pressure, IGF provides a vital space for dialogue and collaboration among governments, the private sector, civil society, academia, and technical experts. The forum will mark its 20th anniversary ?? with discussions on key issues shaping the development of the internet. As host, Norway aims to showcase its commitment to international cooperation and solutions that ensure the internet remains a safe and inclusive space for all ??? https://lnkd.in/dPc-qEUC

?? Strengthening #TeamNorway Collaboration in North America???????????? Today marked the beginning of the Team Norway Annual Strategy Meeting in #NewYorkCity, bringing together key partners to align priorities for 2025 and ensure close cooperation and strategic use of shared resources. ?? Why This Matters: The #US is one of #Norway’s most vital partners in #security, #trade, #investment, and #innovation. In a rapidly evolving global landscape, collaboration ensures we can: ? Strengthen Norway’s leadership in #energy, #greentechnology, and #seafood. ? Support Norwegian businesses navigating the dynamic US market. ? Drive #sustainable solutions and foster bilateral innovation. ?? Day 1 Highlights: ? A presentation by Menon Economics on US subsidies driving green technology advancements. ? A briefing by the Norges Bank Investment Management with insights from CEO Nicolai Tangen, Paul Marcussen, and Marthe Skaar. ? A guided tour of the iconic United Nations Headquarters. ? A Norwegian #seafood dinner, celebrating Norway’s growing fishing exports. Thank you to the Norwegian Embassy in Washington, D.C., and Royal Norwegian Embassy in Ottawa, Royal Norwegian Consulate General in San Francisco, Innovasjon Norge, Norwegian Seafood Council, Eksfin - Eksportfinansiering Norge, Norwegian Energy Partners (NORWEP), The Norwegian-American Chamber of Commerce, Inc., and NorCham USA for their contributions to today’s meeting.

Norway as a leader in net-zero ferries solutions ?? ? On Tuesday, Consul General Gry Rabe Henriksen was invited to speak at the Zero Emission Ferries US conference by Global Mass Transit in South San Francisco, about Norway’s position as a leader in the green maritime transition ?? ? With over 90 battery-electric ferries already in operation—and solutions in hydrogen and ammonia-powered vessels—Norway continues to push boundaries in sustainable maritime innovation. Battery electric ferry MF Ampere was launched already in 2015, as the worlds first ?? As a global hub for testing green maritime technology, Norway offers a fully integrated ecosystem that combines cutting-edge R&D, advanced shipbuilding and retrofitting, and supportive public policies to drive the green transition ??? It is exciting to see how Norwegian technology is finding applications beyond our borders. The American company SWITCH Maritime LLC is now leveraging Norwegian expertise on an upcoming hydrogen-powered ferry for the US market—a great example of international collaboration at work! ?? We’re proud to share these advancements and to connect with industry leaders, port officials, and government representatives working toward the same goal. Thank you to the Global Mass Transit team for organizing such an inspiring conference. Events like this remind us how powerful collaboration is in accelerating sustainable solutions for maritime transport ??? ?? Global Mass Transport/Birger Kydland #GreenMaritime #NetZeroFerries #GreenInnovation #SustainableSolutions Innovation Norway | Innovation Norway Americas | Norwegian Embassy in Washington, D.C. | Royal Norwegian Consulate General in New York | Maritime CleanTech | Gry Rabe Henriksen | Martin Likvern | Birger Kydland

?? New podcast episode: Norwegians in California ?? Are you a student dreaming of studying in Northern #California? Wondering how to secure #scholarships to make it happen? Curious about the importance of networking when building a future abroad? Want to learn more about the business culture in Silicon Valley? ???? In this episode of "Norwegians in California", we talk to Erlend B?, president of Norway House Foundation (NHF), about life as a Norwegian in Northern California and his work supporting educational exchanges between Norway and the region. Norway House Foundation provides scholarships for Norwegian students pursuing studies in Northern California ????????, and in the podcast, Erlend will elaborate on how you can apply to get it. They also fund cultural initiatives supporting the Northern California Norwegian community, and exchanges for American scholars who want to study in Norway. Erlend shares valuable insights on the culture of "paying it forward" in Silicon Valley, and the power of #networking, a skillset he wished he had when coming to California. With 25 years of experience in investment management, including a long career with renowned investor Jeffrey Gundlach at TCW, Erlend now works as a private investor and advisor to startups while serving as president of Norway House Foundation. The podcast is recorded in Norwegian language ???? Tune in: - Spotify: https://lnkd.in/df9r7-iS - Apple Podcast: https://lnkd.in/dPNyFaQF - PodBean: https://lnkd.in/dPHUa4dW Hosted by Birger Kydland

SWITCH Maritime LLC, a U.S. company, is building a hydrogen ferry modeled after the Norway's MF Hydra (the world's first liquid-hydrogen-powered ferry), with help from Norwegian companies DNV, LH2 Shipping, and LMG Marin AS. Very exciting news!

??? Student mobility between Norway and the U.S. is essential for fostering innovation, cultural exchange, and mutual growth. This weekend, the Royal Norwegian Consulate General in New York hosted the annual Career Day in collaboration with The Norwegian-American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. and ANSA - Association of Norwegian Students Abroad. Talented Norwegian students from whole of the #US and #Canada got to meet and network with some of the many Norwegian companies operating in the United States. ?? The day featured inspiring presentations from leading organizations, such as DNB, Equinor and Norsk Hydro, including an engaging keynote by Nicolai Tangen, CEO of Norges Bank Investment Management. ?? Students had the chance to network directly with representatives from these organizations, learning about their work and exploring career opportunities, as well as gaining tips on how to stand out in the interview process. We thank our partners, students and companies for coming together for this event! Utenriksdepartementet | QUADRA Ephemeral Design / RHOME Furniture Rental | Gibney, Anthony & Flaherty, LLP | Norwegian Refugee Council | Vidar Andersen | Marthe Skaar | Odd E. | J. Duncan Pitchford | Nina Vandraas Eberhart | Kristin Blyverket | Hilde ?sterhus | David W. Johnson | Live Sletten Diakolios | Grete Borchgrevink Starheim | Maja Bergersen | Kristin Buer S?nden? | Jacob Vinje | Heidi Olufsen | Pia Thorvik Marks | Christine L?vold Brekke | Signe Astrid Engli | Ole Tjelle-Heen | Sigrid Solheim Haugen | Vilde Aase

Congratulations to SWITCH Maritime LLC for taking yet another milestone in decarbonizing ferries in the US, building on your success of the Sea Change — America's first hydrogen-powered passenger ferry operating in San Francisco since July 2024. Incredibly inspiring to see a bold and courageous industry pioneer moving ahead with new plans, employing new technology to provide commuters with a cleaner, smoother and more climate-friendly experience! This groundbreaking collaboration with Norwegian partners LMG Marin AS, LH2 Shipping, and Norled AS, and taking the successful MF Hydra design to US waters, showcases the power of US-Norwegian partnerships: ? Cutting-edge clean maritime technology ? Cross-border technology and knowledge exchange, leveraging proven Norwegian maritime technology ? Supporting both US and Norwegian jobs and value creation ? Improved operational efficiency ? Zero-emission maritime transportation Advancing sustainable shipping, one vessel at a time! ???? #CleanEnergy #Maritime #HydrogenFuture #Sustainability Seamus Nolan | Pace Ralli | Elias Van Sickle | Sharon R?e | Ken Huste | Port of San Francisco | Maritime CleanTech | GCE Blue Maritime Cluster | Royal Norwegian Consulate General in San Francisco | Innovation Norway | Grethe Bergsland | California Energy Commission | California Air Resources Board | Lauren Gularte | Karolina Adolfsson | Thomas Hall | San Francisco Bay Ferry | Chad Mason | Antonio (Tony) Raposo | David Fujimoto https://lnkd.in/g9JA4jKj

Reflecting on 2024 and gearing up for 2025 ?? Recently, our team at the Consulate General gathered for our annual internal seminar - a moment to reflect on 2024’s highlights and plan for an exciting and meaningful 2025 where we will strive to make a difference. The day was filled with discussions, insights, and inspiration, and we even wrapped it up with a team-building catamaran trip on the San Francisco Bay, underlining our shared focus on green maritime solutions ? Highlights from 2024: This year has been remarkable, with many proud moments to celebrate: ? Welcoming Crown Prince Haakon to California in April, where a highlight was signing a Climate Partnership MoU between Norway and California, capped with a Matoma mini-concert ?? ? Bringing three U.S. delegations to Norway’s west coast, showcasing our offshore wind and maritime industry, as well as green ports and electrification of transport ?? ? Hosting the Standing Committee on Family and Cultural Affairs in LA, to discuss important challenges and to learn from tech- and creative industries. Supporting cultural events like Nordic Opportunity Week in LA, SF Doc Fest, as well as a record-breaking number of Norwegian films at Sundance ?? ? Providing passports and consular assistance to a large number of Norwegian citizens, ensuring their needs are met ?? ? Hosting events with several delegations from Norway, keen to learn from the Silicon Valley ecosystem and to learn about the latest developments in technology, especially AI ?? Looking ahead to 2025: We are ready and excited to continue supporting Norwegian citizens, businesses, and interests across the U.S. west coast. Our focus will remain on: ? Driving the green transition ?? ? Advancing tech diplomacy and policies ? Supporting creative industries ? Supporting collaborations between Norway and the US western states ???????? We are deeply grateful to all our partners who make this work possible. A heartfelt thank you goes to all our Norwegian partners including Sj?mannskirken, NORWAY HOUSE FOUNDATION, the Norwegian Club, ANSA BayArea, Innovation Norway Americas and our honorary consuls representing Norway throughout the 13 westernmost states. We also want to thank University of California, Berkeley, Nordic Center at UC Berkeley, Amend at UCSF, partners in state government, colleagues in the consular corps, and Silicon Valley tech companies that have received Norwegian delegations including NVIDIA, Google, Apple, Salesforce, Anthropic, Cisco. Big thanks to Norwegian companies in the Bay Area including Equinor, Statkraft, DNV, DNB, Yara International, Norsk Hydro, and to those beyond, Corvus Energy, Aker Solutions, Nordic Aquafarms ?? Together, we create great results! Here’s to another impactful year ahead - 2025, we’re ready! ??