NSSLGlobal backs Royal Norwegian Naval Academy row

NSSLGlobal is supplying satellite communications equipment for a 1,000-mile rowing expedition by four graduating Royal Norwegian Naval Academy officers. The voyage will raise funds for the Norwegian aid group Fritt Ukraina.

Under the banner Row for Ukraine, the crew plans to row from Bergen to London. NSSLGlobal will provide satellite phones for welfare, support and emergency communications, as well as mobile satellite systems for email and short video updates during the crossing.

It will also install the equipment, train the crew to use it, and provide support before, during and after the voyage. The company is also contributing funds to the charity effort.

The four officers are Frikk Ekeberg, Erik Gulbrandsen, Aleksander Skogly-Jensen and Henrik Listhaug. By the time they depart, they will have graduated from cadets to officers at the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy.

They are due to cross one of the most demanding stretches of sea in a 7.4-metre D12 ocean rowing boat with two open rowing positions and two small cabins. The setup allows two crew members to row while the other two rest, maintaining a continuous 24-hour watch.

Safety focus

The communications package reflects the risks of a North Sea crossing in a small craft. The onboard systems are intended to help the crew stay connected in an emergency and maintain contact with supporters during the expedition.

Sally-anne Ray, group CEO of NSSLGlobal, outlined the company's role in the voyage.

"At NSSLGlobal we are very proud to support these intrepid graduating officers of the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy for a cause that means so much to us all. Safety at sea is all-important, and having satellite phones and data devices onboard gives the crew the connectivity they need for emergencies and to stay in touch with their supporters," Ray said.

NSSLGlobal has backed the project from an early stage. Its support included introducing the Norwegian team to the leader of the Royal Navy's HMS Oardacious team, who brought experience from two trans-Atlantic rows.

The company has longstanding operations in maritime and government communications, as well as a workforce in Norway through its Oslo office. Its Norwegian presence includes technical work and research and development, and its main shareholder is Norwegian investment company Arendals Fossekompani.

Ukraine fundraising

Money raised above the costs of the expedition will go to Fritt Ukraina's work supporting the Ukrainian 36th Marine Brigade. The organisation provides equipment and other aid to Ukrainians defending the country.

Fritt Ukraina said the voyage carries both a fundraising purpose and broader symbolic weight.

"As a maritime nation, Norway has an important role in working closely with Ukraine and the United Kingdom to develop defense capabilities in the Black Sea. It is highly inspiring to see that NSSLGlobal is now supporting Row 4 Ukraine's important voyage across the sea to London-a strong symbol of the resilience we must demonstrate together in the Nordic region. At the same time, it highlights the expertise Norway possesses and can contribute to this shared defense effort. This work also helps strengthen the long-term ties between Norway and Ukraine," said Natalia Golis, managing director of Fritt Ukraina.

The four officers specialise in marine engineering, weapons technology and logistics. According to the organisers, their training at the academy is expected to be central to operating under sustained pressure during the crossing.

The expedition also comes against a backdrop of close naval ties between Norway and the UK. Both countries are founding members of NATO and have strengthened cooperation through joint naval activity and defence agreements, with regular training by British forces in Norway and growing attention on security in the High North.

For NSSLGlobal, the project also aligns with the part of its business focused on shipboard communications and support systems used by vessels ranging from patrol ships to aircraft carriers. In this case, that work is being applied on a much smaller platform, where reliable contact with shore may prove critical.

All funds raised above expedition costs will support Fritt Ukraina's deliveries of equipment and assistance to the Ukrainian 36th Marine Brigade.