Svensen led the Maritime Business of DNV during a decade, serving as president and deputy ceo for the DNV Group from 2006-2012, and oversaw the move of the Maritime HQ to Hamburg following the merger with Germanischer Lloyd completed in 2013. He also played an active role within IACS (the International Association of Classification Societies), serving as its chairman from 2007-8.
Svensen said that having turned 60, retirement age in Norway, and having completed the merger and integration of DNV GL and launch of a new combined rule set, it is time to retire while he still has time to undertake fresh challenges within the maritime industry.
“Safety at sea remains one of my main interests, and at Strathclyde I will lead research on the interface between politics and regulations and how that impacts safety,” he says, adding that he will also be working on supporting the new Safety Research Centre that DNV GL is establishing at Stratchclyde jointly with RCCL and the University.
Prior to joining DNV Svensen had graduated from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1978 with a degree in Naval Architecture and Shipbuilding, subsequently receiving a Ph.D from the same university in 1983. He then spent several years working within consulting in the UK before becoming head of the Ship Division at The Norwegian Maritime Research Institute (MARINTEK).
“Tor has made an outstanding contribution to the company… through a transformative period for both our industry and DNV GL,” commented Remi Eriksen, president and ceo of the DNV GL Group. “His leadership has had a significant impact in keeping a strong focus on safety and the importance of the independent role of classification societies in the maritime industry.”
Eriksen went on to pay tribute to Svensen’s “insight, drive and engagement,” a sentiment that will be shared by all those in the industry who know him.
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