Co-founder, Færder Tankers
Paal Stenberg is a highly accomplished maritime executive with over 25 years of experience spanning seafaring, technical operations, safety management, and industry innovation. His career began at sea, serving as 2nd and 1st Officer on chemical tankers with Stolt Parcel Tankers in Houston, USA (1997–1998), before progressing to 1st Officer and Chief Officer roles on shuttle tankers with Rasmussen Maritime Services in Kristiansand, Norway (1998–2001).
In 2001, Paal joined IUM (Teekay) in Grimstad, where he served as Chief Officer and later as Captain on shuttle tankers, demonstrating strong leadership and operational expertise (2001–2005). Transitioning ashore, he became HSEQ Superintendent and Designated Person at Transpetrol TM AS in Asker (2005–2007), later advancing to Marine & HSEQ Manager (2007–2013), where he was instrumental in driving safety and compliance initiatives.
Paal then moved to Nordic American Tankers, where he held senior leadership positions including Vice President of Vetting, Vice President of Vetting & Technical Operations, and ultimately Senior Vice President (2013–2018). In these roles, he oversaw operational integrity, technical performance, and vetting processes across the fleet.
In 2018, Paal co-founded Færder Tankers Norway, where he continues to serve as CEO. Under his leadership, the company has pioneered forward-thinking solutions in the energy transition, including ordering the first Suezmaxes with scrubbers from Daehan in Korea, negotiating high-profile vessel sales to Maran Tankers in Greece, and securing a landmark 205.6 million NOK ENOVA grant to develop DF-Ammonia LR2 tankers and large car carriers. His innovations include designing a versatile 50,000 m³ mid-size gas carrier with DF-ammonia capability, also suitable as an offshore bunker vessel. He is currently leading an European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) study on ammonia bunkering offshore, leveraging Færder Tankers’ proprietary vessel design to set new industry benchmarks.
Alongside his executive career, Paal has contributed his expertise as an independent member of the strategy group for Martin Bruusgaard AS (2008–2010), guiding the company’s strategic direction.
Educated at Riis Upper Secondary School, Bjørknes Private School, and Bakkenteigen Maritime College, Paal also served in the Royal Norwegian Navy aboard frigates (1991–1992), further instilling the discipline and leadership qualities that define his career.
