A global movement for the ocean we want

In a year when the world’s oceans face mounting pressure from climate change, biodiversity loss, and increasing human activity, Sustainable Ocean Solutions (SOS) 2025 set out to do something bold:

Bring together the people, knowledge, and creativity needed to drive real action.

What unfolded across Bergen, San Francisco, and the Pacific Ocean became far more than a series of events.

It became a movement.

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A year that connected continents

The journey began in Bergen during One Ocean Week, where students, scientists, activists, innovators, and global ocean advocates framed the urgency of the moment. Sea shanties blended with science, and the message was clear:

Sustainable ocean solutions require courage, collaboration, and continuity.

In November, the SOS community reunited in San Francisco, where ocean knowledge met the innovation culture of Silicon Valley. Through pre-events, a full-day summit, and a voyage with Statsraad Lehmkuhl, SOS 2025 created a uniquely interdisciplinary arena. One where investors talked with youth activists, founders debated with policymakers, and storytellers shaped the emotional core of the experience.

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San Francisco: where ideas turned into action

The week opened with two powerful pre-events:

Innovation Norway Americas showcase onboard Statsraad Lehmkuhl

Four Norwegian companies — Zinus, Evoy, Pascal, and Oceanfront — demonstrated forward-leaning ocean technologies, from zero-emission propulsion to seabed restoration.

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A reception with the Norwegian consulate and Farvatn

More than 200 guests joined Consul Kirsten Hammelbo, former Prime Minister Erna Solberg, Ambassador Anniken Huitfeldt, and Expedition Leader Haakon Vatle for an evening of diplomacy, seafood, and new transatlantic relationships.

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These gatherings set the stage for what became the centerpiece of the week:

The Sustainable Ocean Solutions Summit at Shack15.

The SOS Summit: A non-conference with a purpose

From the opening notes of Kronos Quartet to the closing words of Erna Solberg and Haakon Vatle, the summit delivered a full day of insight, challenge, and optimism.

Participants represented the whole ocean–climate ecosystem:

Scientists, investors, founders, policy leaders, youth, and storytellers — all in one room.

Key themes included:

• Ocean investing
  
  
• Science-to-innovation pathways
  
  
• Storytelling for impact
  
  
• Frontier technologies
  
  
• Cross-border collaboration
  
  
• Leadership for a rapidly changing ocean

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And unlike most conferences, the tone was deeply human.

Peter Bryant, Builders Vision, captured it perfectly:

“SOS 2025 didn’t feel like a conference. It felt like a community. People shared real stories, full of both vulnerability and strength, and those honest conversations created space for meaningful collaboration. That’s how we unlock solutions that matter.”

Panels, pitches, and workshops were dynamic, interactive, and solution-focused.

The youth panel challenged the room. Scientists inspired founders. Investors explored new models. And storytellers reminded us why the ocean matters.

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Anne Park, Sustainable Ocean Alliance, reflected on the experience:

“It was an honor to co-host the SOS Summit and witness the power of collaboration and commitment across science, policy, and innovation. Moderating conversations among such visionary leaders reminded me how much collective action and courage it takes to drive real ocean solutions and bold actions.”

Kristin Odfjell, co-initiator of Sustainable Ocean Solutions together with Johan Odvar Odfjell, has been instrumental in shaping both the vision and the character of SOS. From the very first summit in Bergen in 2023 to today’s global movement.

"What set SOS 2025 apart was that it didn’t follow the typical conference format. The opening with Kronos Quartet, paired with Andri’s storytelling, created a different atmosphere. The young voices brought sharp questions and fresh perspectives, and the leadership sessions — both on land and at sea — pushed us to engage more honestly with one another. 

Including cultural elements throughout the program, from the first performance to Rozzi’s closing concert, added depth without feeling decorative. It grounded the experience and helped meaningful collaboration happen naturally. Elements throughout the program, from the first performance to Rozzi’s closing concert, added depth. It grounded the experience and helped meaningful collaboration happen naturally."

A voyage that turned collaboration into practice

After the summit, participants boarded the Statsraad Lehmkuhl for a transformative sailing journey from San Francisco to San Diego — part of the One Ocean Expedition. Officially recognized under the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, this voyage is a mobile platform for learning, leadership, and lasting impact.

At sea, everything changed.

No internet. No distractions. Just teamwork, leadership, and shared purpose under an open sky.

Each day had a theme:

• Day 1: Breaking down barriers between science, finance, and innovation with Hilde Holdhus (Sarsia), Tore Fure (The Norwegian Institute of Marine Research), Natacha Fabregas (One Ocean Expedition)
  
  
• Day 2: Storytelling with Andri Snær Magnason, Mia Haugen, and Marte Mjåsnes Torkildsen (VilVite).
  
  
• Day 3: The ship as an innovation tool — with leadership exercises with Johan Brand (WeAreHuman) and Malin Haara (Maritime Bergen)
  
  
• Day 4: Developing concrete pilot projects for future U.S.–Norway–global collaboration with Sharon Røe (Innovation Norway, San Francisco) and Anne Park (Sustainable Ocean Alliance)
  
  

The result was a set of emerging pilots, strengthened alliances, and a community bound by shared experience—not just shared interests.

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What SOS 2025 achieved

Across these weeks and locations, SOS 2025 demonstrated what becomes possible when the right people are brought together with a clear purpose.

The outcomes speak for themselves:

• New cross-border partnerships
  
  
• Pilot projects in the making
  
  
• Strengthened bridges between Norway, the U.S., and global partners
  
  
• A growing international network of ocean champions
  
  
• A shared belief that transformative ocean action is possible

Where we go next

The Sustainable Ocean Solutions Summit 2025 was made possible through the partnership of Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA), Builders Vision, and Farvatn — a collaboration that united global networks, mobilized leading speakers, and shaped an exceptional program dedicated to a thriving ocean future.

SOS 2025 ends on a high note and begins a new chapter.

The next gathering will take place during One Ocean Week in Bergen, where the SOS community will once again be invited to the ocean city to continue the work.

Johan Odvar Odfjell, Farvatn, summed it up:

Since we began this journey in 2023, the SOS community has grown into something far larger than we imagined. When you bring the right people into the room — scientists, founders, investors, policy leaders, and storytellers — progress becomes possible in a very real way. With strong partners like Sustainable Ocean Alliance and Builders Vision, we shaped a 2025 program that combined depth, openness, and genuine collaboration.

The response after this year’s summit and voyage has been exceptional. Now comes the exciting part: seeing how this community can turn shared commitment into investments, partnerships, and new projects that advance ocean solutions. SOS 2025 proved what aligned purpose and expertise can create — and now we will see the full strength of what this community can deliver.

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