The co-operation agreement, which was originally entered into on 1 August 2006 through the Tom Wilhelmsen Foundation, will contribute NOK 6.25 million over the next six years, providing important support to basic scientific research in relation to the maritime industry.

"The oil era is ending and Norway has to find other focus areas. What could be more natural than to focus on the long traditions and substantial expertise in the maritime industry. We are already among the world's elite. Increased knowledge and research in the maritime sector is therefore important. Competence is our biggest competitive advantage. Through collaboration with BI, we want to stimulate interest in the maritime industry and its significant value in and for society," says Wilhelm Wilhelmsen, board member in Wilh. Wilhelmsen Holding.

The previous chair of Wilh. Wilhelmsen laid the foundation for a major national investment in the marine gift professorships "Global maritime knowledge hub", which today has 16 professorships funded by industry.

In the autumn of 2006, BI Norwegian School of Management established a separate research centre, the Centre for Maritime Research, in order to develop the professional environment connected to research and competence communication in relation to the maritime industry.

The Centre for Maritime Research at BI aims to carry out basic scientific research, educate doctoral programme candidates, and develop and implement a competence-development programme targeted at the maritime industry. The results of the research will provide the foundation for research-based teaching at BI Norwegian School of Management.

Pictured above: Wilhelm Wilhelmsen, professor Torger Reve and Tom Colbjørnsen (president of BI).