Hypomar Ocean 1 christened

On Thursday 8 August, beneath scattered clouds in Smedasundet, Haugesund, Hypomar Ocean 1 was formally christened when a bottle of sparkling shattered against the bow. Ship sponsor Kjerstin Sannes bestowed good luck upon the vessel and crew before flinging the bottle. Local tenor Ole Morten Velde opened the event with "Funiculì, Funiculà".

The attending guests were, among others, Hugo Strand, Shipyard Manager of Fitjar Mekaniske Verksted AS, Tommy Sandtorv, CCO in Karmsund Port Authority IKS, Reidar Aas, founder and co-owner of vessel design company Solstrand Trading AS, and Gisle Mikalsen and Børge Pedersen of onboard factory contractor Vågen AS. We thank the aforementioned and everyone else involved for their cooperation!

Hypomar Ocean 1 sailed her maiden voyage in early May and carried out various tests and trials before the holiday set in. This will continue into the coming months as the crew hone their skills in operating the world’s most advanced kelp harvester, preparing for the launch of the biorefinery at Avaldsnes in 2026.

Hugo Strand, Hypomar CEO Harald Fiskaaen, and Alginor CEO Kjetil Rein.

Harald Fiskaaen, Kjetil Rein, and Reidar Aas.

Gisle Mikalsen gifted Hypomar a painting from Anne Gro Starefoss Greve’s Oselvar series.

Tommy Sandtorv and Hypomar Ocean 1 Captain Rune Øvrebø.

Harald Fiskaaen, Alginor Chair Wenche Kjølås, ship sponsor Kjerstin Sannes, Kjetil Rein, and Rune Øvrebø.