NEWS FROM THE DANISH SEAMENS MISSION
No. 4 2026
WAVES
Filipinos seize the opportunity
2
Filippiner griber chancen
Ambitious plans in Køge Harbor
4
Køge Havn har visioner
Captain for over 50 years Kaptajn i mere end 50 år
12 1
WAVES
Seize the Opportunity
Published by: Danish Seamen's Mission Jens Baggesens Vej 71 8200 Aarhus N Denmark Tlf. +45 3393 2543 www.somandsmissionen.dk Executive Editor: General secretary, Nicolaj Wibe Editor: Hanne Baltzer, tlf. +45 2288 4496 Mail: hab@somandsmissionen.dk Print run: 3000 Waves is printed on eco-friendly paper. Yearly subscription: 200 Dkr. Layout and print: Jørn Thomsen Elbo A/S Cover Marianne from the Philippines meets Sarah, who is a volunteer at The Danish Seamen’s Mission. The young women have quite a lot to talk about.
WAVES Nr. 4 • 2026 • 13. årgang Udgives af: Indenlandsk Sømandsmission Jens Baggesens Vej 71 8200 Aarhus N Denmark Tlf. +45 3393 2543 www.somandsmissionen.dk Ansvh. redaktør: Generalsekretær, Nicolaj Wibe Redaktør og journalist: Hanne Baltzer, tlf. +45 2288 4496 Mail: hab@somandsmissionen.dk Oplag: 3000 Waves er trykt på miljøvenligt papir. Årsabonnement: 200 kr. Layout og tryk: Jørn Thomsen Elbo A/S Forside Marianne fra Filippinerne møder Sarah fra Sømandsmissionen. De unge kvinder har en del at tale om.
2
By Hanne Baltzer
No. 4 • 2026 • Vol. 13
The young Filipino seafarer Marianne Tabiosas is a trainee cadet on a Norwegian product tanker, carrying diesel, gasoline, and chemicals in Europe. When we meet her in Kalundborg, the ship has arrived from Antwerp and Amsterdam. She is the only woman among the ship’s 18 crew members and determined to build a future at sea. "It’s very meaningful to me. I love adventure and want to see the world and meet people. I also learn a lot in this job. Probably some skills I can use on land too," she says to Editha Seeberg, a volunteer seafarers’ missionary in Kalundborg.
Took the Chance Marianne got the idea to sail because she wanted to see the world and get an education. Her parents couldn’t afford to send her to college, but a scholarship gave her the opportunity to get into a new educational program. After an exam and two interviews with the shipping company, she got the spot. It was a relief. So far, she has sailed on two Norwegian ships. The first vessel was an oil chemical tanker, sistership to her 2nd vessel. In the long run, she hopes that more women will choose a career at sea. Marianne is a training cadet and will be on board for ten months. In September, she will return home to the Philippines to continue her education. After that, she will get her sailing license, work on board again, and eventually become an officer. “It can be exhausting to be the only woman on board,” she says, but she finds the ship to be a nice place to work. On the wall in the mess hall hang posters encouraging a good working environment and treating each other with respect. Both the captain and an officer drop by while Marianne is talking, and the atmosphere is good and warm. She is allowed to take a trip to the Seafarer Center, which she’s happy about. There, Editha, who is also from the Philippines, has a good
chat with Marianne. Woman to woman. Before Marianne is driven back to the ship and her job. “Right now, I’m doing it for the adventure. And I’m enjoying it. It’s amazing. I can’t see myself anywhere else but at sea. I'm grateful and proud to have had the chance to sail and work in an international environment,” smiles Marianne Tabiosas. • WAVES 4 • 2026
Greb
muligheden
”Det er meget meningsfuldt for mig. Jeg elsker eventyr og ville gerne se mig omkring og møde mennesker. Jeg lærer også meget i det her job. Nok også noget jeg kan bruge i land,” siger hun til Editha Seeberg, der er frivillig sømandsmissionær i Kalundborg.
Tog chancen
Af Hanne Baltzer
Marianne and Editha had a good chat.
WAVES 4 • 2026
Den unge filippinske søfarer Marianne Tabiosas er training-kadet på et norsk produkttankskib, der sejler med diesel, benzin og kemikalier i europæiske farvande. Da vi møder hende i Kalundborg, er skibet kommet fra Antwerpen og Amsterdam. Hun den eneste kvinde blandt skibets 18 besætningsmedlemmer og fast besluttet på at skabe sig en fremtid til søs.
Marianne fik ideen om at sejle, fordi hun ville se verden og uddanne sig. Hendes forældre havde ikke råd til at sende hende på college, men et stipendium gav hende mulighed for at blive optaget på et nyt uddannelsesprogram. Efter en eksamen og to samtaler med rederiet fik hun pladsen. Det var en lettelse. Hun har indtil videre sejlet på to skibe; det første var et norsk offshore skib. På sigt håber hun, at flere kvinder vælger søfarten. Marianne skal være ombord i ti måneder. I september rejste hun hjem til Filippinerne for at fortsætte sin uddannelse. Derefter skal hun have sin sejltilladelse, arbejde ombord igen og på sigt blive officer. ”Det kan være udmattende at være eneste kvinde ombord," siger hun, men oplever skibet som et fint sted at arbejde. På væggen i messen hænger plakater med opfordringer til et godt arbejdsmiljø. Om at behandle hinanden med respekt. Både kaptajn og en officer kommer forbi under snakken med Marianne, og stemningen er god og hjertelig. Hun får lov til at tage en tur med ind til Seafarer Center. Det er hun glad for. Her får Editha, der også er fra Filippinerne, en god snak med Marianne. Kvinde til kvinde. Inden Marianne køres tilbage til skib og job. ”Lige nu gør jeg det for eventyrets skyld. Og nyder det. Amazing er det. Jeg kan ikke se mig selv andre steder end til søs. Jeg er taknemlig og stolt over at have fået chancen for at sejle og arbejde i en international atmosfære,” smiler Marianne Tabiosas. •
3
By Hanne Baltzer
Køge Port is a logistic key point CEO Thomas Elm Kampmann sees the Port of Køge as much more than quays, cranes, and land areas. To him, a commercial port is a multimodal intersection: the place where sea transport meets road and rail. A ship does not simply unload its cargo at the quay. The goods must continue their journey safely, efficiently, and at a cost that keeps the entire supply chain competitive. “We exist to help provide efficient infrastructure. Our mission is to offer all types of port-related services. We act as a competitive supplier to our customers' logistics solutions, both within the port and throughout the wider supply chain,” he says. It is precisely the intersection of these different activities that has kept him engaged for the past 26 years. Thomas Elm Kampmann originally trained in shipping with the East Asiatic Company (EAC) and later supplemented this with a business degree from Copenhagen Business School (CBS) and various leadership
programs. His first major assignment outside the shipping industry was helping to establish the Scandinavian Transport Centre in Køge. As he puts it himself, that was where he earned his first bruises. Today, he works as CEO of the Port of Køge, the Scandinavian Transport Centre, and Køge Soil Depot.
A Busy Port The Port of Køge is one of the key commercial ports in Eastern Zealand and an important gateway to the Greater Copenhagen area. Around 200 trucks pass through the port every day. Behind the port gates, Køge Port is responsible for its own infrastructure and finances it as a commercial enterprise. The port handles large volumes of construction aggregates, biomass for power plants, scrap metal, waste-based fuels, and various project cargoes. It has deliberately decided not to focus on cruise ships, concentrating instead on cargo operations.
The different cargo types also reflect the principles of the circular economy. Crushed kitchen units are recycled into wood fibers, bio-ash finds new applications, and scrap metal is exported from other parts of the country. The green transition does not mean fewer cargo movements, but rather new cargo flows and new requirements for ships and port facilities.
Expansion Creates New Opportunities A port is never static or complete. Kampmann points to land availability and electricity capacity as two of the major challenges
“The Port of Køge has invested heavily in new land areas, quays, and greater water depth." facing ports today. Expanding a port takes many years, from the first plans to the final load of soil, and the need for new areas often arises long before the approval process has been completed. “The Port of Køge has invested heavily in new land areas, quays, and greater water depth. Having sufficient port space continues to be a challenge, and we will soon need more of it. Securing enough electricity in the future is likely to be another challenge. The last time we expanded, we tripled the size of the port and increased the depth from 7 metres to 9.5 metres,” he explains.
CEO Thomas Elm Kampmann (left) was given a tour by missionary to seafarers Niels Rasmussen aboard the Danish Seamen’s Mission’s vessel Bethel. / Direktør Thomas Elm Kampmann (tv) blev vist rundt af sømandsmissionær Niels Rasmussen på Sømandsmissionens skib Bethel.
4
WAVES 4 • 2026
The expansion has enabled the port to take in larger vessels and handle more cargo. In 2025, the port set a record by handling 2.666 million tons of cargo across its quays. Even maintaining the navigation channel is often a challenge. When sand and sediment must be moved to preserve the required water depth, permits are necessary. Some of the material can be reused on land, but not all of it. Therefore, lengthy approval processes sometimes directly affect shipping operations and the port's ability to plan ahead.
Chairman of Danish Ports Since 2025, Kampmann has served as Chairman of the industry association Danish Ports (Danske Havne). In this role, the perspective shifts from the operation of a single port to the shared conditions of the entire sector. Ports compete for customers and cargo, but they also depend on one an-
other when trying to influence legislation. With a smile, he describes the cooperative relationship among port leaders as a community of “colleague-kings.” Competition is real, including competition from ports in Sweden and Germany, but the exchange of experience, professional networks, and a largely united voice make Danish ports stronger when dealing with international competitors. As an officially recognized consultation body, Danish Ports has the right to be heard: “It is about securing the best possible conditions. That is the vision. It may involve dredging regulations, energy neutrality, access roads, or changing rules so that, for example, a solar park is not so difficult to establish. It is about the infrastructure to and from ports, and much more.” The chairman is a strong advocate for the importance of Danish ports. For example, around 80 percent of Denmark’s exports and imports are transported via ports. •
The Chairman of Danish Ports is a passionate spokesperson for the importance of Danish ports. Around 80 percent of Denmark’s exports and imports are transported by ship. / Formanden for Danske Havne slår gerne til lyd for danske havnes betydning. F.eks. sker 80 procent af dansk eksport/ import via havne.
Køge Havn er et centralt knudepunkt For direktør Thomas Elm Kampmann er Køge Havn langt mere end kaj, kraner og landarealer. En erhvervshavn er et multimodalt knudepunkt: stedet, hvor søen møder vej og jernbane. Skibet afleverer ikke blot sin last ved kajen. Godset skal videre – sikkert, hurtigt og til en pris, der gør hele forsyningskæden konkurrencedygtig. ”Vi er sat i verden for at være med til at levere en effektiv infrastruktur. Vores mission er at tilbyde alle former for havnerelaterede ydelser. Vi fungerer som en konkurrencedygtig leverandør til vores kunders WAVES 4 • 2026
logistikløsninger – både i havnen og videre i forsyningskæden,” siger han. Det er netop spændingsfeltet mellem de forskellige aktiviteter, der har fastholdt hans interesse gennem 26 år. Thomas Elm Kampmann er oprindeligt shippinguddannet fra ØK og har siden suppleret med en økonomisk uddannelse fra CBS og lederuddannelser. Hans første store opgave uden for shippingmiljøet var at være med til at etablere Skandinavisk Transport Center i Køge. Det var, som han selv udtrykker det, dér, han fik sine første blå mærker. I dag er han direktør
for Køge Havn, Skandinavisk Transport Center og Køge Jorddepot.
Travlhed Køge Havn er en af de centrale erhvervshavne på Østsjælland og en vigtig port til hovedstadsområdet. Omkring 200 lastbiler passerer i døgnet. Bag havnens gates står Køge Havn selv for infrastrukturen og finansierer den som en virksomhed. Her håndteres også store mængder råstoffer til byggeriet, biomasse til kraftværker, skrot, affaldsbaseret brændsel og forskellige 5
projektlaster. Havnen fravælger bevidst krydstogt og koncentrerer sig om gods. Lastetyperne fortæller samtidig noget om den cirkulære økonomi. Knuste køkkenelementer bliver til træfibre, bioaske får nye anvendelser, og skrot sendes videre fra det sjællandske marked. Den grønne omstilling betyder ikke færre godsbevægelser, men nye varestrømme og nye krav til skibe og arealer.
Udvidelse ændrer muligheder Derfor bliver en havn heller aldrig færdig. Kampmann peger på arealer og strømkapacitet som to af de store flaskehalse. En udvidelse tager mange år fra de første planer til det sidste læs jord, og behovet for nye arealer opstår ofte længe før, myndighedsprocesserne er afsluttet. ”Køge Havn har investeret massivt i nye arealer, kajer og større vanddybde. Det er en fortsat udfordring at have tilstrækkelige havnearealer. Det mangler vi snart. Det er nok også en udfordring med at få nok strøm på sigt. Sidst lavede vi havnen tre gange så stor og fik en større dybde. Fra 7 meter til 9,5 meter,” tilføjer han. 6
Udvidelsen har gjort havnen i stand til at modtage større skibe og håndtere mere gods. I 2025 satte havnen rekord med 2,666 millioner ton gods over kaj. Også vedligeholdelsen af sejlrenden kan udfordres. Når sand og sediment skal flyttes for at bevare den nødvendige vanddybde, kræver det tilladelser. Noget materiale kan
Siden 2025 har Kampmann været formand for brancheorganisationen Danske Havne. Her skifter perspektivet fra den enkelte havns drift til branchens fælles rammevilkår.
nyttiggøres på land, men ikke alt. Lange sagsbehandlingstider kan derfor få direkte betydning for besejlingen og havnens mulighed for at planlægge.
Formand for Danske Havne Siden 2025 har Kampmann været formand for brancheorganisationen Danske Havne. Her skifter perspektivet fra den enkelte havns drift til branchens fælles rammevilkår. Havnene konkurrerer om kunder og gods, men de har også brug for hinanden, når de skal påvirke f.eks. lovgivningen. Det kollegiale samarbejde kalder han med et glimt i øjet for et fællesskab af »konkollegaer«. Konkurrencen er reel – også fra havne i Sverige og Tyskland – men erfaringsudveksling, faglige netværk og en næsten samlet stemme gør de danske havne stærkere over for omverdenen. Danske Havne er høringsberettiget: ”Det handler om at få så gode rammevilkår som muligt. Det er visionen. Det kan være på klapning, energineutralitet, adgangsveje, på at ændre reglerne, så f.eks. en solcellepark ikke bliver så svær at sætte op. Infrastrukturen til og fra havne osv.” Formanden slår gerne til lyd for danske havnes betydning. F.eks. sker 80 procent af dansk eksport/ import via havne. •
WAVES 4 • 2026
By Hanne Baltzer
Maritime Training School Set Morten’s Life on a New Course Morten Lindholm is 35 years old. He has just graduated as an Ordinary Seaman from Svendborg International Maritime Academy with excellent grades. The experienced Dane is also a qualified refrigeration technician and has previously owned his own business. However, in recent years, he felt as though he was drifting through life like a ship without course or direction. “The choice to attend Svendborg International Maritime Academy is one of the best things I have ever done. I feel like I have developed a lot as a person and regained structure and direction in my life. And going to sea is something I really want to experience. You could say that my dream is to always enjoy what I do. I have been through a very unstable period, to say the least, and my mission is to return to life. Before coming here, I was not enjoying life at all. Enrolling at the maritime academy in Svend-
borg was my last chance to turn my life around – and at least I would have a place to live for 20 weeks! I think I made an active and difficult choice because, to be honest, I did not feel like living at all.” It took courage to begin a new education, and as graduation approached, Morten was quite nervous: “I was very surprised by my academic results and the good grades I received. I was quite nervous about not passing, but looking back, there was really nothing to worry about.”
ally like to sail internationally or perhaps to Greenland. That’s my plan. Then I won’t be doing the things I shouldn’t be doing! On board, there is a fixed structure and always something to do. I also think my education and experience as a refrigeration technician can be useful on a ship. I would very much like to see the world, and I think it’s going to be an exciting adventure.” •
An Active Change Morten’s childhood inspired him to pursue a maritime career. As a boy, he spent a great deal of time sailing with his grandfather, and he has several fond memories from those days. Now he is looking forward to a professional career at sea: “I’m definitely going to sea! Preferably on long voyages. I would re-
Af Hanne Baltzer
Søfartsskolen satte en ny kurs for Mortens liv Morten Lindholm, 35 år, er netop uddannet ubefaren skibsassistent med gode karakterer fra Svendborg Søfartsskole. Den erfarne mand er også uddannet køletekniker, han har haft eget firma, men de seneste år har han tumlet rundt som et skib uden kurs og retning. ”At tage på søfartsskole er noget af det bedste, jeg har gjort. Jeg har virkelig rykket mig selv personligt og fået struktur på mit liv igen. Og at komme ud at sejle er noget, jeg gerne vil. Man kan sige det sådan, at drømmen er at kunne lide det, jeg laver. Min mission er at vende tilbage til livet, for jeg har været igennem en meget ustabil periode. Jeg var på ingen måder livsglad. At tage på Svendborg Søfartsskole var min sidste chance for at gøre noget ved mit liv, og så havde WAVES 4 • 2026
jeg da et sted at bo i 20 uger! Jeg synes, jeg tog et aktivt, modigt valg. For jeg havde slet ikke lyst til at leve.” Det krævede mod at gå i gang med en ny uddannelse. Ikke uden sommerfugle i maven nærmede han sig eksamen: ”Jeg var meget overrasket over de gode karakterer, som jeg fik. Fik både 10 og12. Jeg var noget nervøs for ikke at bestå, men set i bakspejlet var der ikke noget at være nervøs for.”
En aktiv ændring Barndommen inspirerede Morten til at søge søfartsvejen. Da han var dreng, sejlede han meget med sin morfar. Han husker mange gode oplevelser fra dengang. Nu glæder han sig til at arbejde til søs:
Morten has regained control of his own life./ Morten har igen taget styring over eget liv.
”Jeg skal ud at sejle. Allerhelst på langfart. Og dermed meget gerne til udlandet eller Grønland. Det er min plan. Så laver jeg ikke det, jeg ikke skal! Ombord er der en fast struktur med noget at lave. Jeg tænker også, at min uddannelse og erfaring med at arbejde som køletekniker kan bruges ombord. Jeg vil meget gerne rundt i verden. Det bliver spændende.” • 7
Series: Into the blue By Hanne Baltzer
It Has to Be Fast and Precise At the Port of Køge, a ship is being loaded with new cargo before continuing on to its destination. For chartering manager Jesper Olsen, the sight is a familiar one. Few people know better than he does how much planning, coordination, and rapid decision-making is involved when cargo has to move smoothly from A to B. Jesper Olsen is a Chartering Manager at SDK Chartering and also Harbor Master at Faxe Ladeplads Harbor. As a result, he has extensive knowledge of maritime logistics and of the unique puzzle that must come together when a vessel needs to be filled with the right cargo and arrive on time. “It is an incredibly exciting job if you are a competitive person, and I certainly am! You have a lot of influence over the process, even though there are always many unknown factors in play. It is all about estimat-
ing each assignment, constantly taking action and making decisions. Every decision has consequences for the next stage, and it is often necessary to go back and forth. Sometimes it is like keeping your hand on a hot stove, in the sense that we take responsibility and therefore also take part in the gains or losses, depending on how things go”, he explains.
A maritime puzzle A chartering manager essentially works with hiring vessels to transport cargo and ensuring that the ship carries the appropriate load. It sounds simple, but in practice there are many pieces that must fit together. SDK Chartering often uses ships that can carry approximately 2,000 to 10,000 tons of cargo. The goal is for them to sail with a full load whenever possible. This means that the
job involves finding the right transport assignment, the right vessel, and the right route. Before an offer can be submitted, a wide range of factors must be calculated. How much cargo needs to be transported? What type of cargo is it? Where must it be collected, and where should it be delivered? When will the cargo be ready? Is there space available on the vessel? How long will the voyage take? What are the fuel costs? And what happens if the weather changes or loading is delayed? Everything is connected.
A domino effect “There are many steps involved in every shipment,” explains Jesper Olsen. A delay in one place can quickly affect the rest of the process. For example, if a vessel is delayed in a previous port, this may impact the timing of the next loading operation. If the cargo is not
Serien: Rundt i det blå Af Hanne Baltzer
Det skal gå stærkt og præcist På Køge Havn er et skib netop ved at blive lastet med nyt gods, inden det skal videre mod sin destination. For befragter Jesper Olsen er synet velkendt. Han ved om nogen, hvor meget planlægning, koordinering og hurtige beslutninger der ligger bag, når gods skal transporteres fra A til B. Jesper Olsen er chartering manager hos SDK Chartering og samtidig havnemester på Faxe Ladeplads Havn. Han har derfor et indgående kendskab til den maritime logistik – og til det særlige puslespil, der skal gå op, når et skib skal fyldes med den rigtige last og nå frem til tiden. 8
”Det er et superspændende arbejde, hvis man er et konkurrencemenneske, og det er jeg! Man har stor indflydelse på arbejdsprocessen, selv om der hele tiden er en del ubekendte. Det handler om at estimere hver opgave. Om hele tiden at handle og beslutte. Hver beslutning har så en konsekvens for det næste led, og det er ofte nødvendigt at ’ping-ponge’. Nogle gange er det som at holde hånden på kogepladen, forstået på den måde, at vi tager ansvaret og dermed gevinsten / tabet, hvis det går godt eller skidt også i forhold til de situationer, der opstår undervejs,” fortæller han.
Et maritimt puslespil En befragter arbejder grundlæggende med at leje skibe til transport af gods og sikre, at skibet har den rette last. Det lyder enkelt, men i praksis er der mange brikker, der skal passe sammen. Hos SDK Chartering benytter man blandt andet skibe, der kan transportere fra omkring 2.000 til 10.000 tons. Målet er, at de så vidt muligt sejler med fuld last. Derfor handler arbejdet både om at finde den rigtige transportopgave, det rigtige skib og den rigtige rute. Før et tilbud kan sendes af sted, skal der regnes på en lang række forhold: Hvor meget gods skal transporteres? Hvad skal det være? WAVES 4 • 2026
For Jesper Olsen, the job requires a strong sense of what is happening in the market. This calls for both experience and intuition.
ready when the vessel arrives, this can in turn affect the next assignment. In practice, this means that information is constantly moving between the various parties involved. The chartering manager, the vessel, the agent, the port, the customer, and those responsible for loading and unloading are all part of the chain. Weather conditions also play a role, as do oil prices, port conditions, staffing, weekends, and public holidays. As a result, plans must be adjusted continually. Sometimes a different type of cargo can be used as a buffer. For example, broken stones can help fill a gap in the schedule if another cargo shipment is delayed.
Timing and Experience For Jesper Olsen, the job requires a strong sense of what is happening in the market. This calls for both experience and intuition. When a vessel is chartered for a cargo transport assignment, it is therefore not simply a matter of finding a ship and a load. In fact, it is mostly about timing. For Jesper Olsen, it is precisely this combination of trade, logistics, shipping, and rapid decision-making that makes the work so exciting. The maritime puzzle is never completely solved in advance.•
“There are many steps involved in every shipment,” explains Jesper Olsen. “A delay in one place can quickly affect the rest of the process.” / ”Der er mange step ind over hver fragt,” forklarer Jesper Olsen. En forsinkelse ét sted kan hurtigt få betydning for resten af transporten.
Hvor skal det hentes, og hvor skal det leveres? Hvornår er lasten klar? Er der plads på skibet? Hvor lang tid tager sejladsen? Hvad koster brændstoffet? Og hvad sker der, hvis vejret ændrer sig eller lastningen bliver forsinket? Det hele hænger sammen.
En dominoeffekt ”Der er mange step ind over hver fragt,” forklarer Jesper Olsen. En forsinkelse ét sted kan hurtigt få betydning for resten af transporten. Hvis et skib f.eks. bliver forsinket ved en tidligere havn, kan det påvirke tidspunktet for næste lastning. Hvis lasten ikke er klar, når WAVES 4 • 2026
skibet ankommer, kan det igen få konsekvenser for den næste opgave. Det betyder i praksis, at informationerne hele tiden bevæger sig mellem de forskellige aktører. Befragteren, skibet, agenten, havnen, kunden og dem, der står for lastning og losning, er alle en del af kæden. Vejret spiller også ind. Det samme gør oliepriser, havneforhold, medarbejdere, weekender og helligdage. Det er derfor nødvendigt hele tiden at justere planen. Nogle gange kan en anden type last bruges som buffer. Eksempelvis kan skærver være med til at udfylde et hul i planlægningen, hvis en anden last bliver forsinket.
Timing og erfaring For Jesper Olsen betyder arbejdet, at han skal have en fornemmelse for, hvad der sker rundt omkring på markedet. Det kræver både erfaring og intuition. Når et skib chartres til en godstransport, er det derfor ikke bare et spørgsmål om at finde et skib og en last. Det er i høj grad et spørgsmål om timing. For Jesper Olsen er det netop denne kombination af handel, logistik, skibsfart og hurtige beslutninger, der gør arbejdet spændende. Det maritime puslespil bliver aldrig helt lagt på forhånd. •
9
The numbers tell
By Hanne Baltzer
The well-being of seafarers remains a constant operational and ethical challenge
The Seafarers Happiness Index gives everyone working at sea an opportunity to share how they are feeling. The survey focuses on a range of topics, from mental health and well-being to working life and family contact. Each quarter, The Mission to Seafarers publishes new data on the well-being of seafarers. In the second quarter, the score fell to 6.87 out of 10, down from 7.18 in the first quarter. The Q2 2026 Seafarers Happiness Index Report highlights a maritime workforce that continues to be driven by an extraordinary sense of professional pride, strong camaraderie on board, and elements genuine optimism. At the same time, the findings reveal a growing gap between basic regulatory compliance and the human realities of life at sea, raising moral and operational questions. Ships transport far more than cargo. On board are people who carry the psychological burden of geopolitical risk, relentless inspections, and commercial pressures, often with little public awareness or concern. Ongoing geopolitical tensions no longer expose the industry to isolated, acute shocks alone. Instead, voyage rerouting, communication disruptions in high-risk areas, and concerns over supplies have gradually become part of the everyday conditions of global maritime life. This external pressure has intensified long-standing structural challenges, particu10
the truth
larly those related to workload and fatigue. This has led to a critical loss of trust, where recorded rest hours are too often treated as a paperwork exercise for authorities rather than a genuine tool for recovery and well-being on board. While the first quarter of 2026 was marked by the shockwaves of the conflict in the Persian Gulf, the second quarter demonstrates how pressure has become part of everyday life. Daily realities such as limited shore leave, overtime, and stagnant real wage purchasing power are gradually taking their toll on crews. Unfortunately, the score for shore leave fell to 5.72, the lowest-rated category by a significant margin, as opportunities to go ashore continue to grow smaller.
It is estimated that 1.89 million seafarers serve aboard approximately 74,000 vessels worldwide. For more information, visit: www.seafarershappinessindex.org
Strength Nevertheless, the report rejects a purely negative narrative. The strongest category was crew interactions, scoring 7.49, demonstrating that seafarers continue to draw strength from relationships on board and from contact with their families. Seafarers call for training that builds competence rather than creating additional bureaucratic burdens. Also, they value the basic respect that comes from an industry that understands and values them. Ultimately, the latest results demonstrate that seafarers’ well-being remains a constant challenge. • WAVES 4 • 2026
Søfolks trivsel er konstant en operationel og etisk udfordring
Af Hanne Baltzer
Tal testet af virkeligheden Seafarers Happiness Index giver alle til søs, mulighed for at dele, hvordan de har det. Spørgsmålene fokuserer på en række emner fra mental sundhed og trivsel til arbejdsliv og familiekontakt. Hvert kvartal offentliggør The Mission to Seafarers nye tal for søfarendes velbefindende. I andet kvartal faldt tallet til 6,87 ud af 10 fra 7,18 i første kvartal. Q2 2026 Seafarers Happiness Index-rapporten fremhæver en maritim arbejdsstyrke, der på den ene side fortsætter med at være drevet af en ekstraordinær følelse af faglig stolthed, stærkt kammeratskab ombord og optimisme. På den anden side afslører dataene en voksende kløft mellem grundlæggende regulatorisk overholdelse og de menneskelige realiteter ved livet til søs, hvilket rejser flere spørgsmål. Skibe transporterer jo langt mere end fragt; ombord er de mennesker, der må
bære den psykologiske byrde af geopolitisk risiko, utrættelige inspektioner og kommercielt pres, alt for ofte til offentlig ligegyldighed. De igangværende geopolitiske spændinger udsætter ikke længere branchen for isolerede, akutte chok; i stedet har omdirigering, kommunikationsudfald i højrisikoområder og bekymringer om forsyninger, stille og roligt indlejret sig i de almindelige baseline-forhold i det globale maritime liv. Disse ydre pres har intensiveret langvarige strukturelle udfordringer, især omkring arbejdsbelastning og træthed, hvilket har ført til et kritisk tillidsunderskud, hvor hviletimer alt for ofte behandles som en ren papirøvelse for myndighederne frem for et værktøj til ægte restitution. Mens første kvartal af 2026 var præget af chok fra konflikten i Den Persiske Golf, viser andet kvartal, at presset sætter sig i hverda-
Der skønnes at være 1,89 millioner søfarende ombord på 74.000 skibe Se mere: www.seafarershappinessindex.org
WAVES 4 • 2026
gen. Det er de daglige normer – dvs. begrænset orlov, overarbejde og stagnerende reallønskøbekraft, der gradvist udfordrer besætningerne. Desværre faldt landlovsscorerne til 5,72, den laveste med en betydelig margin, fordi tiden i land i stigende grad reduceres.
Styrke Ikke desto mindre afviser rapporten en fortælling præget af ren negativitet. De stærkeste kategorier var besætningsinteraktioner 7.49, hvilket viser, at søfolk fortsat henter styrke fra hinanden og fra at bevare forbindelsen til familien. Søfolk vil have træning, der bygger kompetence frem for bureaukratiske byrder, sammen med den grundlæggende respekt fra en branche, der forstår og værdsætter dem. I sidste ende viser de nyeste tal, at søfolks trivsel konstant er en operationel, etisk og strategisk udfordring. Søfolk rapporterer konsekvent, at stærke, respektfulde relationer ombord og et samarbejdende mandskab bygger hverdagen op. Hvor virksomheder har forpligtet sig til højkapacitetsforbindelse, solide cateringbudgetter og proaktiv støtte til familier på land, forbliver moralen høj. •
11
The annual Tour of Limfjorden always brings a large number of visitors aboard the Danish Seamen’s Mission’s ship Bethel, as it sails along to the various ports. Among other things, many sailors swing by for a free shower on board. After only a few days, skipper Leif Rasmussen is already quite pleased with the journey: “Right now, we’re in Nykøbing Mors, where we’ve had around 100 guests using the showers today. We’ve enjoyed talking, listening, and serving coffee and cake. But not everyone comes to use our shower facilities. They also come to hang out, relax, play games, and so on.”
Limfjorden rundt betyder masser af gæster ombord på Sømandsmissionens skib Bethel, der sejler med rundt til de forskellige havne. Ombord kan de mange sejlere bl.a. få et gratis bad. Skipper Leif Rasmussen er pænt tilfreds efter de første dage: "Lige nu er vi i Nykøbing Mors, hvor vi har haft ca. 100 gæster i bad i dag. Og vi har nydt at snakke og lytte, og servere kaffe og kage. Ikke alle kommer for at låne vores brusebad. De kommer for at hænge ud, hygge sig, spille spil osv.”
The Danish Seamen’s Mission is a warm community for international seafarers – din this case with Filipino crew members from the Swedish tanker M/T Fure Ven. Editha and Jens Christian Seeberg of the Danish Seafarers’ Mission in Kalundborg extend a warm welcome to seafarers from all over the world. They have done that for more than 30 years. / Sømandsmission er ofte et varmt fællesskab med internationale søfolk - her med filippinske søfolk fra det svenske tankskib M/T Fure Ven. Editha og Jens Christian Seeberg fra Sømandsmissionen i Kalundborg byder gæstfrit velkommen til søfolk fra hele verden. Det har de gjort i mere end 30 år.
12
WAVES 4 • 2026
Oddbjørn Blomsø
Captain for More Than 50 Years By Hanne Baltzer
Oddbjørn Blomsø is the captain of the Norwegian-owned vessel Feed Rana, which primarily sails between Norway and Denmark. Over the years, Oddbjørn Blomsø has logged thousands of nautical miles since leaving his childhood home in Norway to go fishing in 1962. In 1971, he bought his first vessel, but today he sails as a captain for the shipping company Halten Bulk. He sees no reason to leave the profession, even though he has now turned 79 and is therefore Norway's oldest active captain. With a smile, he says he could easily continue sailing for a few more years because he is still in excellent shape. He works six weeks on board, followed by six weeks at home.
A Life at Sea Oddbjørn was 14 years old when he received his first seaman’s book. He obtained it in New York on 12th of August, 1962, after spending two months aboard the MS Heina of Bergen. Since then, he has never looked back. He has always enjoyed life at sea. He likes the
way of working, enjoys the time spent at sea, and also appreciates being in port. Over the years, he has sailed across a large part of the world. As a captain, he enjoys both the responsibility and his place on the bridge. Aboard Feed Rana, which mainly operates in Nordic waters, he leads a crew of nine men. The crew members are Filipinos, something Oddbjørn values highly because they are experienced, familiar with the ship’s equipment, pleasant company, and easy to work with. “They are highly skilled. I am committed to training new officers and passing on some of my experience,” he says. Privately, the captain recently celebrated his 60th wedding anniversary with his wife. Together they have three children, ten grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren. His youngest son, now 58, is also a captain. He began his own maritime career at the age of 15. Like father, like son. •
Kaptajn i mere end 50 år Af Hanne Baltzer
Oddbjørn Blomsø er kaptajn på det norsk ejede skib Feed Rana, der oftest sejler mellem Norge og Danmark Det er blevet til tusindvis af sømil i årenes løb, siden Oddbjørn Blomsø forlod sit norske barndomshjem og tog ud at fiske i 1962. I 1971 købte han sit første skib, men i dag sejler han som kaptajn for rederiet Halten Bulk. Han synes ikke, der er nogen grund til at forlade jobbet, selv om han nu er fyldt 79 år og dermed Norges ældste kaptajn. Han vurderer med et smil, at han godt kan sejle et par år mere, fordi han er i fin form, som han siger. Han sejler seks uger, afløst af seks uger hjemme.
Trives med at sejle Oddbjørn var 14 år, da han fik sin første søfartsbog i New York i 1962. Siden har han WAVES 4 • 2026
ikke set sig tilbage. Han har trives med at sejle. Kan lide den måde at arbejde på. Kan lide tiden på havet, men også at være i havn. I tidens løb har han sejlet over en stor del af kloden. Som kaptajn kan han lide ansvaret og pladsen på broen. Ombord på Feed Rana, som mest sejler i Norden, har han et mandskab på ni mænd. Det er filippinerne, hvilket Oddbjørn sætter stor pris på, fordi de både er erfarne, kender skibets udstyr og er hyggelige og gode at arbejde sammen med. De er dygtige: ”Jeg er optaget af at oplære nye styrmænd for på den måde at give noget af min erfaring videre,” siger han. Privat har kaptajnen fejret 60-års bryl-
About Halten Bulk AS The company was founded in 2014 in Trondheim, Norway. Halten Bulk AS owns and operates five ships, all equipped with self-unloading systems. Its main operating areas are the North Sea, Scandinavia, and the Baltic Sea. Each year, the company's vessels transport grain, timber, coal, scrap metal, and other dry bulk cargoes. Experience has shown that shipping remains one of the most environmentally friendly methods when transporting large quantities of goods.
Om Halten Bulk AS Virksomheden blev grundlagt i 2014 i Trondheim, Norge. Halten Bulk AS ejer og driver fem skibe, alle med selvlosningssystem. Hovedområde er Nordsøen, Skandinavien og Østersøen. Hvert år transporteres korn, tømmer, kul, skrot og andre tørre varer. Erfaringen er, at den mest miljøvenlige måde at transportere store mængder varer på er til søs.
lupsdag med sin hustru. Sammen har de tre børn, 10 børnebørn og 10 oldebørn. Den yngste søn på 58 år er også kaptajn. Han var 15 år, da han begyndte sin karriere til søs. Som far så søn. • 13
no break
By Secretary General Nicolaj Wibe
When there is
As you can read in this issue of WAVES, many seafarers are under pressure. There are increasing challenges in the form of new regulations, new technology, and changing workplace cultures. Ships sail close to war-affected coastlines, pressure to remain on board is growing, and not least, loved ones at home often feel uneasy about family members being away for such long periods. Seafarers have every right to expect their employers to do their best to ensure safety and well-being on board. And we know that significant resources are spent on this purpose. In addition, WAVES would like to give you an extra, and equally fundamental, perspective on life at sea – a perspective with biblical dimensions. Requirements, obligations, productivity, efficiency, control, and personal responsibility. That is what most of us face when we go to work. But for seafarers, the difference is that you rarely get a break from it.
A silent companionship Many seafarers are familiar with praying to God. You pray for your loved ones, share your worries, and find a space to express whatev-
in sight er occupies your thoughts. Then you say “amen”, and that is that. But there is another way to pray. I have grandchildren, and I learn a great deal from them. Sometimes one of them comes and sits beside me without wanting anything. If I ask what they want, the answer is: I just want to sit here with you. Nothing to say, nothing to do – a silent companionship. One might think this is companionship without purpose or meaning. But no, it is full of both purpose and meaning. It is filled with presence and security. A pause for the child. A place to rest while remaining fully awake. Peace.
The quiet water is an oasis Spending time with God in this way is a true oasis. No words, no practical purpose, no requests or demands. Just fellowship and closeness. It is prayer without asking for anything. A space where all is peaceful. Mother Teresa was once asked what she says to God when she prays. She replied: “Nothing. I just listen.” “And what does God say to you?” “Nothing. He just listens too.”
Af generalsekretær Nicolaj Wibe
Når man nærmest ikke får en pause Som du kan læse i dette WAVES, er mange søfolk pressede. Der er flere og flere udfordringer i form af nye regler, ny teknologi og nye adfærdsformer. Der sejles tæt på krigsramte kyster, presset på at blive ombord øges og ikke mindst dem derhjemme oplever det utrygt, at ens kære er så længe væk. De søfarende har krav på, at deres arbejdsgivere gør deres bedste for sikkerhed og trivsel ombord. Og vi ved, at der lægges mange ressourcer i netop dette. WAVES vil gerne spille en anden bold hen til dig - en bold med bibelske dimensioner. Krav, forpligtelser, at gøre nytte, effektivitet, kontrol og personligt ansvar. Sådan er jobbet for de fleste af os. Men som søfarer er forskellen den, at du nærmest ikke får en pause i det.
Bare være Mange søfolk kender til det at bede til Gud. Man beder for sine kære, deler sine bekymringer og beder over det, tankerne er fyldt 14
af. Og så siger man ’amen’ og det var så det. Men der er også en anden måde at bede på. Jeg har børnebørn. Dem lærer jeg meget af. Det sker, at et barnebarn sætter sig hen til mig uden at ville noget. Spørger jeg om, hvad det vil, er svaret: Jeg vil bare gerne sidde her hos dig. Intet at sige, intet at gøre, men bare være. Man kan tro, det er fællesskab uden nytte eller nogen som helst mening. Men nej, der er masser af nytte og mening. Masser af nærvær og tryghed. En pause for barnet. Et sted at hvile sig med åbne øjne. Fred.
Det stille vand er en oase Et samvær med Gud på den måde, det er en ægte oase. Ingen ord, ingen nytteværdi, ingen ønsker og krav. Bare fællesskab og nærhed. Det er bøn uden at bede om noget. Et rum, hvor der bare er godt at være. Moder Teresa blev en gang spurgt om, hvad hun siger til Gud, når hun beder. Hun svarede: ”Ingenting, jeg lytter bare”. ”Men hvad siWAVES 4 • 2026
Invitation Contact our Seamen's Missionaries I am convinced that Mother Teresa also had times of prayer filled with needs and requests. But that is not the only form of prayer we are invited into. For a plant to grow, it needs stillness. For water to function as a mirror, it must be completely calm. In the same way, we as human beings need calmness and silence so that God's peace and God's reflection can reach our hearts. You have a cabin on your ship. It can become the meeting place between you and God, where you sit down with him and he sits down with you. And there you are, together. Does that sound almost too intimate? Maybe, at first. But in reality, it is the place where you can receive the very best God has to give: His presence. And perhaps it is also where you can offer Him the very best you have to give: your presence and attention: Psalm 131, verse 2: “I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a child with its mother.” •
We would like to meet you! The Danish Seamen's Mission talks to seafarers, fishers and others with a maritime connection. Always feel free to contact us! •
Kontakt sømandsmissionæren Vi vil gerne møde dig Sømandsmissionens medarbejdere taler med søfolk, fiskere og andre, der færdes på havnen. Kontakt os endelig. •
Finn Løvlund Phone +45 2073 3806 fl@somandsmissionen.dk Harbors/havne: Esbjerg, Aabenraa, Hvide Sande
ger Gud så til dig?” ”Nej, han siger heller ikke noget… også han lytter bare.” Jeg er overbevist om, at Moder Teresa også havde bønnestunder med Gud, der var fyldt af behov og ønsker. Men det er bare ikke den eneste form for bøn, vi er inviteret ind i. Skal en plante gro, har den brug for ro. Skal vand fungere som et spejl, skal det være helt stille. Og sådan har vi mennesker brug for ro og at være stille, så Guds fred og Guds spejling kan nå vores hjerte. Du har et kammer på dit skib. Det kan være mødestedet for dig og Gud, hvor du sætter dig hen til ham, og hvor han sætter sig hen til dig. Og der er I to så. Lyder det romantisk? Måske, men i virkeligheden er det det sted, hvor du kan få det bedste, Gud har at give dig. Sit nærvær. Og måske også det bedste du har at give ham. Dit nærvær. Som det står i salme 131, vers 2: Jeg bringer min sjæl til hvile og ro; som barnet hos sin mor. • WAVES 4 • 2026
Jørgen Bech Knudsen Phone +45 2865 5277 jbk@somandsmissionen.dk Harbors/havne: Aarhus, Randers, Kolding, Vejle, Horsens, Grenaa, Fredericia Paul Høeg Phone +45 2296 3950 ph@somandsmissionen.dk Harbors/havne: Fyn Per Jerup Phone +45 6113 5383 pj@somandsmissionen.dk Harbors/havne: Aalborg, Limfjorden Niels Rasmussen Phone +45 5184 1942 nr@somandsmissionen.dk Habors/havne: Sjælland/ Sealand
Hanna Pedersen Relation worker/ Relationsmedarbejder for maritime studerende Phone: +45 2897 1460 hp@somandsmissionen.dk Sømandsmissionen i Kalundborg Danish Seamen's Mission in Kalundborg Editha og Jens Chr. Seeberg phone: +45 5950 1332 GREENLAND/GRØNLAND Kamilla Hestbech Phone. +299 21 85 89 18 Kamilla@somandsmisionen.dk Harbor/ havn: Nuuk Peter Kalstrup Phone: +299 24 00 41 Pk@hotelsoma.gl Port: Disko Bay – Aasiaat and Ilulissat Louise Beck Olsen Phone +299 54 34 14 Harbor/havn: Sisimiut LBO@hotelsoma.gl
15
The crew of the tanker Jasmin Trader asks missionary to seafarers Finn Løvlund if he can lead a prayer and blessing for the ship's crew and its voyages. As the vessel is brand new, the 21 Filipino crew members wish to receive this blessing before departing from Denmark. “We shared a solemn moment during which I shared a short devotion and offered a prayer asking God to protect the ship and its crew and to give them strength for the work on board. Afterwards, I pronounced the blessing, and the crew was then able to continue their voyage with a stronger sense of support and reassurance,” says Finn Løvlund.
Besætningen fra tankeren Jasmin Trader spørger sømandsmissionær Finn Løvlund, om han kan forestå en bøn og velsignelse af skibets besætning og skibets sejladser. Skibet er helt nyt og derfor ønsker de 21 filippinske søfolk det, inden de afsejler fra Esbjerg. ”Vi havde en højtidelig stund, hvor jeg holdt en kort andagt og bad en bøn om, at Gud vil beskytte skibet og dets besætning og give styrke til arbejdet ombord. Efterfølgende lyste jeg velsignelsen og søfolkene kunne derefter sejle videre med en stærkere ballast ombord,” vurderer Finn Løvlund.
Christmas gifts and greetings are on their way to ships docking in Danish or Greenlandic ports. The Danish Mission to Seafarers wishes all seafarers a very Merry Christmas and an exciting 2027! /
At sea, people live and work in a profession that few
Langt fra land leves et arbejdsliv, som de færreste
of us ever get to witness firsthand. Seafarers keep global trade moving while sharing both their workplace and their home with colleagues on board. Their lives combine adventure and sacrifice, friendship and solitude, established hierarchies and significant personal responsibilities. Long watches, fatigue, changing ports, separation from family, and new demands in safety and technology all shape their daily lives. In this magazine, we take a closer look at the people at sea, their work, lives, and challenges. We also go ashore to meet both a port director and a shipping agent.
får indblik i. Søfolk holder verdenshandlen i gang, mens de deler både arbejdsplads og hjem med kolleger ombord. Der mødes eventyr og afsavn, stærkt fællesskab og ensomhed, faste hierarkier og et stort personligt ansvar. Lange vagter, træthed, skiftende havne, afstand til familien og nye krav til sikkerhed og teknologi præger hverdagen. I dette magasin går vi tæt på menneskene til søs – deres arbejde, liv og udfordringer. Og vi går i land på besøg hos både havnechefen og agenten.
Julegaver og julehilsner er på vej ud på skibe, der anløber dansk eller grønlandsk havn. Sømandsmissionen ønsker alle søfarende en rigtig glædelig jul og et interessant 2027!