“The first time I stood on the bridge and looked out over the ‘endless’ deck of tanks, it was a bit overwhelming. At the same time, it was very energizing. It's on the bridge of Odfjell's largest tankers I want to be,” she says to Kystens Næringsliv.
But before that happens again, Anita will spend Christmas at home in Etne, Norway. Then she will prepare for life on the seven seas. In just over a month, Anita Håvardsen (22) will leave Etne and travel to Singapore. There, she’ll board the Bow Star, an 182-meter-long and 40-meter-wide chemical tanker.
The ship lays alongside in its striking red/orange color, with 40 large chemical tanks neatly arranged beneath the deck.
Anita will spend eight weeks aboard the vessel.
Debuts as officer
There are 28 crew members on board. The officers are Norwegian, while most of the crew is from the Philippines.
From the moment Anita steps aboard, she will be entrusted with significant responsibility.
For the first time, she’ll hold leadership responsibilities at sea. She has completed her training and is now a qualified officer at Odfjell.
Both the company in Bergen and the crew have high expectations for her.
It’s almost as though Fredrik and Abraham Odfjell, who founded the company in 1915, are watching over her. Their portraits hang on the wall at Odfjell’s headquarters in Bergen, a silent reminder of the legacy she’s now part of.
The officer role involves a lot of responsibility. Anita will be primarily responsible for navigation and sailing, as well as loading and unloading.
It’s a big shift from her time as an apprentice and cadet, but she’s quickly settled into her new role.
“I'm excited. It's important to stay humble and ask for help when needed. You can never know too much, and there's always something new to learn. I see a long career as an Odfjell officer ahead of me.”
When asked if she could see herself wearing a captain's insignia on her shoulders one day, she smiles: "One day will probably be in eight or nine years—but yes, that's the dream. No doubt about it.”
Maintenance is part of the work assignments for the crew on board
Few, but determined and ambitious
Anita knows she is one of few female officers at sea, but the numbers are gradually increasing.
“There may not be many women, but those who are there are tough.”
Manager Crewing at Odfjell, Eva Storeide, knows this all too well.
“We are constantly working to encourage more women to become cadets and officers with us. It’s a slow process, but fortunately, we’re heading in the right direction.”
She has the numbers in her head:
“As of today, Odfjell has 110 Norwegian officers, plus 30 training positions, of which 25 are women. In 2024, we accepted 22 cadets from technical colleges and universities, of which eight were women. Since 2017, we've enrolled 153 cadets and about 25 apprentices, of which 31 women. Of these, we have employed 72 officers,” she says.
Anita is one of only four women on her current crew, and she sees this as an opportunity to be a role model for other young women considering a career at sea.
“I’ve never felt that being a woman in this industry has been a hindrance. On the contrary, it’s been exciting to help change the dynamics on board. The number of women may be small, but it doesn’t matter that much. It’s always nice to see more of us," she says.
It’s also worth noting that Odfjell is among the best in its class when it comes to training Norwegian officers, both men and women.
Beyond the numbers and statistics, Eva genuinely celebrates Anita’s achievement of becoming an officer.
"At the Odfjell office, our role is to provide strong support for our sailors. We’re excited for Anita to have a safe and fulfilling life aboard our chemical tankers – seven to eight weeks at a time," Eva says.
"I’m confident this will be just fine," says the rookie officer.
New rotation to recruit the young
Anita works on an eight-week rotation at sea, with some periods as short as seven weeks, followed by the same amount of time off. She enjoys being away for extended periods. "It's on the bridge of Odfjell’s largest tankers where I want to be," she says, excited about her new role.
“I've always been used to my family being away a lot. They're seafarers too, so for me, it's not a problem to be away for a long time. The shorter rotations that many prefer can be a good solution for the younger generation,” says Anita.
When faced with surprise at her remark that seven to eight weeks felt short, Anita explained, “It used to be up to 11 weeks for newly graduated officers. That’s tough for many,” she says. Eva nods in agreement.
Anita and Eva outside of Odfjell's headquarters in Bergen
Odfjell has adjusted the time at sea due to the need to recruit more seafarers. With increasing competition from the Navy, which is also looking to recruit a significant number of seafarers in the coming years, Odfjell chose to make this change.
"We listened to the market. We attend trade fairs and visit schools, and some of the feedback from younger people was that 11 weeks was too long. So now, we rotate between seven to eight weeks at sea. Some of our older officers have chosen to stick with the 11-week rotation and get more time off on land," Eva explains.
“There’s a very good work environment on board, and it’s nice to be taken care of. I really enjoy the work atmosphere and my colleagues. Time flies when you're constantly 'on duty,'” Anita says.
Salary, well-being, and the future
One of the main reasons seafarers leave a company, including Odfjell, is not necessarily dissatisfaction with their job. Other shipping companies may offer higher salaries or shorter rotations.
While salary is an important factor, it's not the main reason Anita chose this career.
"For me, it’s more important to feel happy and have a good work environment. Odfjell is known for that. I also enjoy the challenges at sea and the chance to see the world. Life at sea gives me unique freedom and an exciting career," she says.
Odfjell has implemented better internet access on board, upgraded entertainment options, improved facilities like pools and TVs, and increased salaries to make seafaring more attractive to the younger generation.
"But there are still days in the 'no-man’s land' of the Pacific Ocean when there’s no satellite coverage. During those times, I just read a book or socialize. For me, connecting with people is more important than having constant internet access," Anita says.
A lifestyle choice
Anita’s future looks bright. She’s worked her way up from apprentice to officer, and now she’s ready for the next step in her career.
“I see this as a long-term career, and I’m excited to keep developing. Once you’ve tasted life at sea, it’s hard to imagine doing anything else," she says.
Her journey forward will bring even more responsibility and potentially greater challenges as an officer. With certifications, courses, and experience, she’s on track to become one of the many experienced and leading seafarers on board.
For Anita, life at sea is more than just a job—it’s a lifestyle. "I enjoy traveling, the challenges, and being part of an international team. It gives me an enormous sense of accomplishment to know I’m responsible for so much," she says, before adding:
"It might be that next Christmas, I’ll celebrate Christmas Eve somewhere in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Without the traditional Norwegian pinnekjøtt. But that doesn’t bother me at all. I’ll be with great colleagues in a place I love," she says.
She continues, "It’s probably hardest for my family back home." Her father, Jon T. Håvardsen, agrees. "It’s always a bit sad when Anita can’t be home for Christmas or other holidays. Her siblings always ask why their big sister has to work when everyone else is off. But at the same time, we are very proud of her and her accomplishments," he says.
