From April 18 to 24, Bergen will once again host One Ocean Week. His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon will be in attendance, and the Statsraad Lehmkuhl will return after 12 months at sea. Here are some of the key themes.
Text: Helene Daae Frøyseth, Vestland County Council
One Ocean Week is a forum for debate, the exchange of experiences, and activities related to the sustainable use of the ocean. The event is being held for the fourth time and brings together the business community, academia, the public sector, and residents of Bergen and Western Norway. In addition to a rich program of professional content, there will be a series of events open to everyone.
One Ocean Week is supported by The City of Bergen Vestland County, and is a collaboration between One Ocean, Bergen, Norway nearly 80 partners.
According to County Mayor Jon Askeland, who is also the chairman of One Ocean, Bergen, Norway, "The ocean knows no national borders. If we are to succeed in using the ocean sustainably, we must collaborate across nations, professional communities, and industries. One Ocean Week is an important forum that brings together international stakeholders and helps move us from talk to concrete collaboration and action."
200 events – something for everyone
One Ocean Week is a platform where you can learn about topics such as marine industries, climate, politics, and resource management, while building networks across sectors.
Throughout the week, you can take part in more than 200 events. You can choose from conferences, professional meetings, public lectures, guided tours, and activities suitable for both professionals and the general public.
“We want One Ocean Week to be a celebration of ocean knowledge for the residents of Bergen and the rest of the county. The more people who participate, the stronger both the engagement and the understanding will be of how important the ocean is for our future,” Askeland says.
The Statsraad Lehmkuhl returns home on April 18
After 12 months at sea, the Statsraad Lehmkuhl returns to Bergen as part of the One Ocean Expedition —a voyage that has combined sailing training, research, education, and international cooperation to advance our understanding of the ocean.
On April 18, all boat owners are invited to join a joint procession to welcome the Statsraad Lehmkuhl home. The ship’s return marks the start of One Ocean Week 2026.
The procession will begin at the Askøy Bridge at 10:45 a.m. and follow the ship into the city. The procession will be led by KNM Hitra, and the Bergen Fire Department will, of course, be present with the “Sjøbrand.” The ship is expected to be visible in Vågen around 11:30 a.m. and to dock at 12:00 p.m.
The people of Bergen are encouraged to come out and join in as the city welcomes its “floating ambassador” for United Nations Ocean Decade.
Here you can read more about the ship's approach.
Maritime Weekend at Festningskaien
The Fortress Quay will be transformed into a large festival area this Saturday, with a focus on the maritime industry, research, and technology. There will be activities both out on the quay and inside the 166-meter-long vessel Trans Sol, where visitors can explore several of the exhibits.
This Sunday, Festningskaien will be filled with boats of all sizes, and there will be food tastings, sports activities, and various workshops. The day is designed so that everyone can explore, learn, and participate.
Here you can read more about Maritime Saturday, April 18th.
Here you can read more about Family Day on Sunday, April 19th.
School programs with over 1,000 registrants
Monday, April 20th, is set aside for middle and high schools in the region. The goal is to show students the educational and career opportunities available within the maritime industries. Over 1,000 students are expected to attend the event. Along Festningskaien and aboard the vessel Trans Sol, there will be exhibitions and demonstrations of technological innovations from companies and research institutions in the region. Here, students can get to know the city’s shipping companies, learn about future energy solutions, visit the seafood tent, meet the Navy, learn about the aquaculture industry, and much, much more.
Here you can read more about “A Sea of Opportunities,” Monday, April 20th.
The Crown Prince will be visiting
On the same day, HRH Crown Prince Haakon attended the One Ocean Summit at Håkonshallen.
National and international stakeholders will gather at Håkonshallen to discuss and explore how we can work together to ensure the ocean we need for the future we want. This is in line with the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.
The main theme of this year’s One Ocean Summit is “A Safe and Predictable Ocean.” This theme addresses two of the UN’s action points for the Decade of the Ocean we are currently in.
During the meeting, leading experts, decision-makers, and international representatives will discuss and address the pressing challenges facing the world’s oceans.
