From the rocking monotony at sea to new experiences in South Africa: The final stint of Kjetil Borch's encounter with shipping

Having sailed from Le Havre via Gothenburg to the southern tip of Africa, Kjetil Borch reflects on his time surrounded by the vast blue ocean with a sense of fulfilment.

"It has been an eventful time aboard the Höegh Target. A time I will never forget. Wonderful people and a unique insight into the camaraderie aboard a deep-sea vessel, exciting tasks, the feeling of increasingly mastering the work and the good feeling of being able to contribute positively. Both professionally and socially."

"But it was also a good feeling to come ashore. And an impressive encounter with the operation that a port call is. Being aboard a giant like the Höegh Target when it docks is a wild experience. Watching the stevedores' work is fascinating. How they communicate and have their own, understood language and hand signals. Seeing them park the endless rows of cars with military precision, so no space is wasted, and the decks are packed with cars, is simply impressive," says Kjetil Borch.

From Target to Durban

He is now in Durban, where he has been for almost two weeks. South Africa provides the backdrop for the next—and final—chapter of his encounter with shipping.

The endless sea has been replaced by work at Höegh Autoliners' office on land

During his stay at the office in Durban, Kjetil worked closely with Sondre Nilsen, Head of Port and Cargo Operations – in Sub-Saharan Africa. Besides putting in the hours at the office, Kjetil Borch attended stakeholders’ meetings, discussions and feedback with port operation and authorities with fellow RO/RO companies.

The shipping world, with all the different challenges and possibilities deep-sea operations represent, demands a well-balanced approach in cooperating with the many stakeholders to ensure and develop the cargo operations at berth, Borch says before pinpointing an important personal experience during his time in Durban:

“I met my family outside Durban and got to see the whaling station where my grandfather worked decades ago. I had saved some whale-chocolate produced in my home county, as a symbolic salute to an industry and history that is long gone, reminding me of the vast changes in the maritime industry.”

“In South Africa, people generally start their day at 5:30 or earlier, to beat the heat and make the most of the day. I get it, as I got up at 05:50 and enjoyed the burning sunrise with a cup of Chinese tea on my balcony. I could get used to that!”

"It has been another exciting look into the work that is deep-sea freight. Offices worldwide are a prerequisite for maintaining a global portfolio of routes and supply lines. Agents in all countries. People work together to ensure the cargo arrives safely on time in every corner of the world. Fortunately, I have also had the opportunity to continue building on the work I did aboard the Höegh Target," says the former rower.

Soon the journey goes homeward. To Norway and Oslo and the HA headquarters. And to the final reporting and summarizing of everything Kjetil Borch has experienced and learned.

With a baggage of good experiences and good impressions of shipping.

"It has been a very interesting encounter with shipping. Much has been as expected, but much has been completely new," Borch says and continues:

"It has been a great experience entering into a large organization that is big enough to be global in its outlook and footprint and small enough to be personal. Everyone knows everyone, and there is good collegiality," Kjetil Borch says.

Open to new perspectives

His summary of his stint at Höegh is very positive: "No two days are the same. Which is a big part of why shipping is fun. There is always something happening. It is a dynamic industry I've enjoyed my time in, and which suits me well with the educational background I have."

"I've met a gathering of very skilled people – both on the vessel and in the offices. I have been listened to, and people in the company are very open to new perspectives. An important part of creating great results."

According to the former Olympian medallist and world champion, rowing and shipping have things in common: Even if you are at the top, you can't rest.

You must work hard and continuously develop, finding all the competitive advantages you can, as Borch puts it.

And according to Kjetil Borch, the best experience has been to see how being a Höegh Autoliner means the same all over the world:

"Seeing how the Höegh culture lives in all corners of the world and takes root in departments that are far apart has been a great thing to witness. Despite different cultures and backgrounds, people work towards the same goal."