When Statsraad Lehmkuhl docks in Seattle in the fall of 2025, it will mark both a high point in the One Ocean Expedition and a new beginning in the friendship between Bergen and Seattle. For the first time, an American edition of One Ocean Week will be organized - an international initiative that brings together business, research, culture and politics in a joint effort for the future of the ocean.
Over time, Seattle and Bergen have developed many common features. Both cities are shaped by the ocean – with maritime industries, important naval bases (Haakonsvern in Bergen and Everett Naval Base near Seattle), strong research environments, and sustainability ambitions. Not least, Norwegian emigration to the US West Coast has created a vibrant Norwegian community in Seattle, especially in the Ballard neighborhood, known for its Norwegian heritage.
The Mayor of Bergen emphasizes the importance of this collaboration:
- Seattle and Bergen share a common history related to the sea, through maritime and marine research and industry. We are now building on our twinning ties and strengthening our cooperation to solve the common challenges we face as ocean cities. At the same time, we want to further develop our cooperation in business and research.
"With One Ocean Week, our two sister cities will once again come together across the Atlantic, and I look forward to useful meetings between business, research and politicians," says Mayor of The City of Bergen, Marit Warncke.
Totem pole in Nordnesparken
In 1970, Seattle gave a totem pole to Bergen as a gift of friendship for the city's 900th anniversary. Over fifty years later, the bond between the cities was once again symbolized – this time on Fløyen. In April 2025, a new sign with distance marking to Seattle was unveiled, with representatives from both cities present. The delegation from Seattle, led by City Council member Dan Strauss and Lori Ann Reinhall from the Seattle-Bergen Sister City Association, participated together with the Mayor of Bergen. The unveiling became a living symbol of a friendship that has both historical weight and new relevance.
When Statsraad Lehmkuhl and One Ocean Week dock in Seattle this fall, it will therefore not only be a maritime visit, but also a continuation of a long-standing friendship – with the ocean as a common platform for collaboration and development.
A united ocean city
The Rector at the University of Bergen, Margareth Hagen, believes it is a great advantage that representatives from the private and public sectors participate in the delegation together with academia. She also points out the importance of international cooperation.
- At UiB, we value international collaboration. Seattle is a city with a vibrant technology and innovation environment that will be exciting to visit. I'm also pleased that it's a combined seaside city, where business, academia and government are traveling together to Bergen's sister city to forge closer ties," says Hagen.
Decisive collaboration
– First and foremost, it is incredibly gratifying that Statsraad Lehmkuhl and One Ocean Expedition are once again setting the stage for important and international meetings, this time focusing on the collaboration between Norway and the USA, but also specifically between the cities of Seattle and Bergen. The fact that Seattle is using the occasion to adopt One Ocean Week speaks volumes about the collaboration, and I am of the clear opinion that city-to-city collaboration across national borders is more effective and decisive than country-to-country collaboration. So yes, we expect and believe that the stay in Seattle will provide both new insight and strengthened collaboration in challenging times, where the overriding goal for everyone involved is to make a positive difference for the one ocean we all depend on, says expedition leader and CEO of Statsraad Lehmkuhl, Haakon Vatle.
- Both Bergen Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Washington Blue, both partners of the expedition, are to be commended for their efforts to ensure a successful week in Seattle, as are the Consulate General in San Francisco, the Consul in Seattle and many others who have contributed across academia, research, business and innovation. Hopefully, this week in Seattle will be so successful that further collaboration and meetings can be planned when the ship returns to Bergen during One Ocean Week in April 2026," says Vatle.
The One Ocean Expedition is not only a floating ambassador for Norway and United Nations Ocean Decade, but also a symbol of how the ocean can connect two cities on opposite sides of the Atlantic.
Will showcase Norwegian business and industry in world class
Bergen Chamber of Commerce & Industry got the idea to plan a delegation trip to Seattle when they saw the sailing route for One Ocean Expedition 2025/26. In a letter to the editor in Bergens Tidende, Head of Communications Espen Børhaug advocated revitalizing the friendship between Seattle and Bergen.
When Statsraad Lehmkuhl arrives in Seattle, Bergen's sister city for nearly 60 years, it is an excellent opportunity to revitalize connections and collaboration with the «Seattle Bergen Sister City Association». Therefore, we are very pleased that Mayor Marit Warncke and County Mayor Jon Askeland are joining us. Our two cities and regions have a great deal in common, not least through ocean-related industries and research. It is also very positive that the University of Bergen, represented by Rector Margareth Hagen, is participating in the delegation, says Børhaug.
– We will participate in a number of events and conferences at One Ocean Week Seattle. We will also invite people on board Statsraad Lehmkuhl, where we will showcase world-leading Norwegian companies. Green shipping, underwater technology, and sustainable tourism are among the topics we will discuss, he adds.
Closer collaboration in a large market
- We got to know the Seattle delegation well at One Ocean Week this spring. The business community and the political leadership in the city also see great opportunities in closer cooperation between the sister cities. Statsraad Lehmuhl will be in Seattle for five days in October, when One Ocean Week Seattle will be organized - based on the model of One Ocean Week in Bergen. I have the impression that they really appreciate that a delegation from Bergen wants to participate," says Børhaug.
– The business sector in Western Norway represents technological solutions with a potentially large market in the USA. Several of our partner companies are already well established in the Seattle region. We hope to contribute to enhanced collaboration between Norwegian and American academia. The visit from Seattle in April and our return visit in October are hopefully the start of more active connections between business and research in our two cities, he says.
You can participate
Like Statsraad Lehmkuhl's expedition, One Ocean Week Seattle is part of the celebration of the UN Decade of Ocean Exploration. The week-long event is a celebration of global collaboration and ocean-related innovation. A wide range of topics will be discussed in workshops, presentations and conferences, according to Bergen Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
For registration and more info, visit the Bergen Chamber of Commerce & Industry website.
