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Born into a family of fishermen on the picturesque island of Bømlo, her connection to the sea started early. "We used to play hide and seek on the boats, which were practically in our garden," she recalls. This childhood connection instilled in her a love for the maritime world that would later shape her career.
While getting her degree in maritime law in her early twenties, she gained 15 months of practical experience working as a mess girl on two seismic vessels in the North Sea. An experience that she is quite proud of, and that has proved to be invaluable later in her career. “To know life onboard a vessel was of course invaluable as CEO in a shipping company, but the personal experience of being a receiver of ship supplies delivered by service cranes, and to have seen pilots in operation from the vessel side, have also proven to be quite valuable”.
She eventually climbed the corporate ladder, serving as CEO in prominent maritime companies such as Nekkar ASA, TTS Group ASA, EMS Seven Seas ASA, and Green Reefers ASA. Her expertise extended beyond shipping companies to include roles in finance and law firms. With broad experience on various company boards, Toril's qualifications are nothing short of impressive.
One of the most memorable chapters of her maritime career came during her time as CEO of Green Reefers. “A stranded ship in Matadi, up the Congo River, presented a formidable challenge. The rudder had failed, rendering the ship unseaworthy. After countless hurdles and even the presence of crocodiles, the ship eventually sailed to safety”.
Now, Toril has embarked on a new voyage as a member of SEAM's board. What inspired this move? Aside from her inherent maritime passion, she was drawn to SEAM's important role in the energy transition. With the world facing a climate crisis, decarbonizing the maritime industry is paramount, she states.
“Aside of the maritime aspect which of course is super interesting, SEAM is at the very heart of the energy transition. The nature- and climate crisis is the biggest threat the world has faced in modern times, and to succeed with transitioning away from fossil fuels is essential for the future wellbeing of the planet. I am excited about the opportunity to enhance operations and contribute to bringing SEAM's technology to the international market”.
When it comes to the evolving maritime industry, Toril sees sustainability as non-negotiable. Today, she says, sustainability and competitiveness are two sides of the same coin. "A company that truly focuses on sustainability will also be operationally better," she emphasizes. “Sustainability demands attention to planning and details, resulting in better foreseeability and happier customers and employees”. SEAM, she believes, is on an upward spiral poised for success in this regard.
Toril's excitement for the company’s initiatives is palpable. She's particularly enthusiastic about SEAM's hydrogen and ammonia projects, but it's the electrification effort that truly impresses her. "What I’m really excited about is everything that’s already up-and-running on electrification. It's very cool that it works so well, and I think that there is high potential in telling this story to the international market. People need to see to believe," she remarks. She envisions immense potential in showcasing these successes to markets where knowledge about what's possible remains somewhat limited.
SEAM is one of very few system integrators that have developed, and are continuously optimizing, their own automation platform. Considering the milestones achieved already, and the developments soon to be realized, she envisions many new and exciting ventures for the company in the years to come. “The advancements made within this automation platform can push green technology to a whole new level. I’m excited to see what this can unlock for shipping companies in the future”.
It’s no secret that the percentage of women working in the maritime industry is still staggeringly low. Toril is one of few women who have not only led multiple maritime companies, but also sat in various boards in this male-dominated industry. With most leadership positions having been occupied by men for many generations, the work with both inspiring women to work in the industry, and positioning the talented ones for leadership roles, aims to create a more balanced situation.
For aspiring professionals, especially women aiming for leadership roles and company boards, Toril offers sage advice. "Raise your hand and volunteer when tasks are distributed”. She also encourages seizing opportunities, even if you don't check all the boxes - reminding us that nobody does.
In her downtime, when she needs a break from the hustle, Toril finds new energy in the ocean. “A swim in the ocean once or twice a week serves as an enormous endorphin booster”. It's a ritual that invigorates her and serves as a reminder of the deep connection between her life and the maritime world.
Her passion for green technology, coupled with her decades of maritime experience and her tremendous energy, makes her the ideal professional to help push SEAM into the uncharted waters of a sustainable tomorrow.
