Page 37: of Offshore Engineer Magazine (Mar/Apr 2026)

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Image courtesy Havila Shipping ASA

Image courtesy Josefne Spiro

The Offshore Adventure: Through Havila

Shipping, Per Sævik navigated the PSV and subsea markets through several industry crises. Pictured: the PSV Havila Charisma. f you were invited to lunch at the home of 85-year-old haps the greatest achievement of his career—and undoubt-

Per Sævik without knowing his history, your frst im- edly the most challenging.

pression would likely be shaped by three things. First, Representing Norway's largest tourism initiative in 30 his modest house — a traditional Norwegian home years, Havila Voyages faced a highly turbulent launch.

Ion a small, weather-beaten island on the northwest First, the Spanish shipyard contracted to build two of coast — has remained largely unchanged since he and his the vessels went bankrupt, forcing the order to be moved wife built it in 1971. Second, his simple taste in food; Per to the Tersan Shipyard in Turkey. Subsequently, the prefers a basic lunch of sliced bread with butter and jam. COVID-19 pandemic caused severe delays throughout

Finally, his conversation. He enjoys discussing sports, cul- 2020 and 2021. As if that weren't enough, the project's ture, and community development, showing little inter- fnancial backer was Russian-owned; when the war in est in personal status. As he puts it: “I grew up as one of Ukraine broke out in 2022, the ships were hit by inter- nine children in a time that was rich in most things, except national sanctions. Under immense time pressure, the money. That shaped my life, and I have a very grounded company had to execute a massive rescue operation to relationship with material wealth.” secure new solutions.

Knowing this, it might come as a surprise to learn that "It culminated on a day we were docked in Bergen at this man — who has never been a bon vivant, but rath- four in the afternoon, scheduled to sail at eight that eve- er a dedicated community builder — is one of the most ning with a nearly full ship—only to receive a message that successful fgures in the Norwegian maritime industry. our insurance coverage had been canceled," Per recalls. "At

Through Havila Holding, which he owns with his chil- that point, I had just about had enough. But we knew that dren, he has built an empire spanning fsheries, offshore if we just gritted our teeth and kept pushing, things would energy, ship technology, real estate, and tourism. eventually work out. And they did. Today, Havila Voyages

The latest addition, Havila Voyages, operates four coast- doesn’t look half bad." al cruise ships on the historic Norwegian Coastal Route (For the record: In Per’s world of humble understate- between Bergen and Kirkenes. This venture stands as per- ment, "not half bad" translates to "very promising.")

MARCH/APRIL 2026 OFFSHORE ENGINEER 37