Dr. Sinem Ogis and the Propeller Club of Norway
It is no secret that Norway already stands among the world’s most innovative shipping nations. Along its coasts you find dynamic clusters of ports, shipowners, technology developers, regulators, shipyards, charterers, service providers, brokers and agents, research centres and investors, all working at the forefront of the latest innovations in the maritime industry. Norway has long been recognised internationally as a testbed for greener fuels, smarter operations and forward-thinking regulation. Yet despite this vibrant ecosystem, one important element was missing.
When Dr. Sinem looked at the landscape, she saw a need for something more than company hubs and specialised associations. The current maritime reality of rapid change, such as AI-driven optimisation, geopolitical issues, and alternative fuel rollouts, makes structured industry dialogue more valuable than ever before. With previous knowledge of the International Propeller Club while living in Italy, she knew that a platform for maritime professionals that was not only Norwegian in character but also international in scope, was the ticket.
Norway needed a common arena where the entire value chain could meet, exchange views, and work on shared solutions. A place where professionals in maritime related industries and roles could gather and collaborate. This conviction became the driving force behind the creation of the International Propeller Club of Norway. With the official launch at Nor-Shipping 2025, followed by the launch hosted at the U.S. Embassy Residence and attended by the International Propeller Club Headquarters, Sinem aims to connect Norway’s maritime community to a global network of professionals that has existed for close to 100 years.
The Propeller Club of Norway was launched with visible institutional support, signifying that this is intended to be both a local hub and a bridge to global decision-makers and markets. The Club’s founding board mixes practitioners from ports, classification societies, technology firms and legal practice, signalling inclusivity across the maritime value chain.
The maritime policy landscape is changing fast, so the timing of the establishment of IPC Norway will be very beneficial to the industry. The IMO’s Net-Zero Framework and accompanying measures mark a historic shift: a global, emissions pricing mechanism is moving toward adoption in shipping for the first time. The implementation timelines mean owners, charterers, service providers and the broader maritime ecosystem must now prepare for new reporting, compliance and commercial impacts.
Sinem’s message is straightforward: “Shipping has always been international. So, the solutions to our biggest challenges will only come if we collaborate across borders.” Rather than a closed, senior-only forums, the Propeller Club of Norway is being organised with regional committees and an explicit goal of inclusivity: inviting ports, shipowners, charterers, equipment manufacturers, tech providers, lawyers, financial institutions, regulators, brokers, agents and academia to the same table.
The Club is already attracting interest from several international propeller chapters keen to hear about Norway’s energy transition experience and technical lead on green fuels and maritime electrification. For Norwegian stakeholders this is an opening to showcase domestic innovation, and for international members it is a chance to learn and form commercial ties. A win-win.
Sinem’s standing in the community is well established. She was listed among YoungShip Oslo’s “10 Women to Watch” in 2022 — an accolade that marks her early leadership and the cross-border roles she has played in YoungShip and other networks such as WISTA and IUMI.
IPC Norway is lucky to have Sinem at the helm and exhibits the type of leadership the Club needs in a period of regulatory and technological transition. Sinem is also a strong advocate for diversity and next-generation leadership in shipping. She remains active across international maritime networks, serving as a bridge between policy, business, and innovation.
Yet, as Sinem herself stresses, “Without the dedication and tireless support of our founding Board and Committee members, the Propeller Club of Norway simply would not exist,” she says. “This club is the product of many people’s vision and hard work coming together.”
She also extends her gratitude to the partners and supporters who made the launch possible: ABS, Simonsen Vogt Wiig, H2 Carriers and Nor-Shipping, along with the invaluable support of the U.S. Embassy in Oslo and its team – Mark Bland, Heming Bjørnå, Vidar Keyn and Jamal Al-Mussawi.
Her story highlights how passion and purpose can come together to strengthen Norway’s maritime community, while also creating new opportunities for collaboration across borders. The Propeller Club of Norway is positioned to become a platform where Norway’s maritime expertise can connect with the wider world, ensuring that innovation, dialogue and cooperation continue to drive the industry forward.
