Apply for the board
Apply for the Board of YoungShip International
Will you help lift YoungShip to new heights?
Apply for the Board of YoungShip International!
YoungShip International is seeking potential members of the board of 2026/27. The brand has seen a boost lately, with several chapters starting up across the globe. The International organization has restructured, so that the board now consists of regional representatives, along with financial and leadership functions. We are still improving and settling into the new systems, but we are also pushing forwards. We are now establishing the Leadership forum as a regular event, after the very successful launch in Sri Lanka. A global membership system is the next thing on the agenda, with plans to roll this out in the next 1-2 years. In the coming term, the board wants to be more available for the chapters, with regular communication throughout the year.
The board currently consists of 11 members, listed below. This year, the positions of Vice President, Secretary General, Head of Finance, and some of the regional representatives are open for election. The board meets at least monthly, and all members have actions and projects between the board meetings to follow up.
- President
- Vice President
- Secretary General
- Head of Finance
- 6 Regional Representatives
- Head of Business Development
The board application process is handled by the election committee of YoungShip International. To apply, fill out the form you reach through the button below. The deadline for applications is May 22, and the election committee will then begin contacting the applicants. The new board will be elected on the annual general meeting on June 17. For questions regarding the process, please contact us at mail@youngship.com.
You can read about some of the board positions as described by the current members below.
Secretary General: Erlend Holberg
Serving as Secretary General of YoungShip International has been an incredibly rewarding journey. Since joining YoungShip in 2017 and later serving on the YoungShip Oslo board, I have had the opportunity to work closely with passionate young professionals across the global maritime community through YoungShip international. Some key highlights are notably the Nor-Shipping, Shipcon and Leadership Summit events that bring professionals from around the world together, to Attract - Develop and Retain Young Professionals in the Maritime Industry.
As Secretary General, you sit at the very center of YoungShip International. The role is about connecting people, ideas, and chapters across our global network. You coordinate the work of the International Board, prepare and follow up on board meetings, and help ensure that initiatives move from ideas to real impact.
A key part of the role is staying closely connected with our global chapters and supporting their growth. With more than 5,000 members across 41 chapters worldwide, the Secretary General helps ensure that YoungShip continues to be a platform where young professionals can build networks, exchange ideas, and develop future leadership in the maritime industry.
For me personally, the most inspiring aspect of the role has been the people: collaborating with ambitious professionals across continents, building partnerships with industry stakeholders, and helping shape initiatives that strengthen the next generation of maritime leaders.
If you are structured, proactive, and passionate about the maritime industry, the Secretary General role offers a unique opportunity to gain international leadership experience, expand your network, and contribute to shaping the future of YoungShip and our global maritime community.
Vice President: Anette Jacobsen Aspelund
The main reponsebillity to the Vice President is to support the President in leading YoungShip International, with a focus on global representation, strategy, and good board governance. You help facilitate board meetings and the AGM, support strong collaboration and accountability across the board, and oversee strategic projects and initiatives together with local chapters. You also act as an escalation point where needed, support chapters worldwide if needed and, together with the President, review all partnerships on behalf of YoungShip International, ensuring everything aligns with our governance framework and Articles of Association.
Head of Finance: Eirik Søreide Hansen
As Head of Finance, you keep track of the organization's finances. This is done today in Fiken, a modern accounting system. You are responsible for proposing a budget and for updating the board on progress towards financial targets throughout the year.
You may further engage in various other projects. I have enjoyed setting up internal guidelines and finding new softwares we can use. I am also heavily involved in the acquisition and implementation of a new membership system.
