Bergen Shipowners’ Association is proud to announce that our own managing director, Trygve C. Nøkleby, has been awarded the WISTA Leadership Award 2026.
The prestigious recognition highlights Nøkleby’s outstanding leadership, commitment, and significant contributions to advancing a more inclusive and sustainable maritime industry.
The WISTA Leadership Award is presented to individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership beyond traditional expectations—championing diversity and inclusion, fostering collaboration, and driving meaningful change within the maritime sector. The award honours those who not only achieve strong results, but who inspire others, challenge the status quo, and actively contribute to shaping the future of the industry.
WISTA Norway’s presentation of Trygve C. Nøkleby
When taking the role as MD of the Bergen Shipowners’ Association in 2021, Nøkleby emphasized three key priorities for the maritime industry: Gender equality, Zero-emission shipping and Digital transformation. Nøkleby has also highlighted the importance of diversity and collaboration in maritime initiatives, noting that broad participation and diverse teams are essential for solving the industry’s challenges. Under his leadership, the association was one of the first signatories to join WISTA 40 by 30.
Diversity is a critical theme for the board and strategic focus of the Bergen Shipowners Association. Under Trygve´s leadership there has been strengthened and deeply embedded focus on diversity across the broad span of activities and initiatives within the Bergen Shipowners’ Association. Bergen Shipowners´ Association has played a critical role in mobilizing member companies and creating platforms that promote diversity and women in maritime careers. Mentoring programs, networking arenas and recruitment initiatives are strongly supported. Trygve has personally contributed for three years as a male mentor in the Maritime Meet-Up program, among the first men to participate, while mobilising numerous other top executives to follow his lead. He has been a proactive supporter of the WISTA #40by30 pledge and has helped raise awareness among shipowners, industry forums and clusters.
Regular annual events are organized in collaboration with WISTA, enabling a higher male representation at equality focused topics, and two annual events together with YoungShip to support the intergenerational transition. For their general events, Trygve has implemented a routine of identifying diverse speakers and experts from the beginning of planning processes – enabling an impressive success rate of moving from ambition to realisation of diverse profiles. Trygve also works tactically and behind the scenes to promote, support and drive gender quality. These “small nudges”, discussions and directions are far from the spotlight, but show a leader who is truly committed to a better future. Not for awards or recognition, but because it is the right thing to do.
He ensures strong gender balance in initiatives such as the Bergen Shipping sailing voyages onboard Statsraad Lehmkuhl. He has a genuine passion for achieving gender equality and uses his leadership role very actively to promote this agenda.
Through dedication, vision, and the ability to lead by example, Trygve has distinguished himself as a true ambassador of these values—both within Bergen Shipowners’ Association and across the wider maritime community.
