Kjell Inge Roekke, a Norwegian billionaire, is giving away most of his fortune to build a state-of-the-art ocean research vessel. Photo: Helge Makalsen VG/e24.no
Kjell Inge Roekke is a billionaire, and he’s decided to give most of his wealth away.
Often noted for his violent temper, Roekke made his fortune after dropping out of high school and, in the words of one Forbes writer, earning “a reputation as a ruthless corporate raider.” Recently, though, he told the Oslo newspaper Aftenposten that he’s giving the lion’s share of his money to be used to build a ship managed by the World Wide Fund for Nature, or the WWF. One of its primary directives? Getting rid of the plastic plague that’s devastating the oceans.
The vessel, which will be called the REV (Research Expedition Vessel), will be full of toys: a massive lab, sea drones, air drones, and an auditorium. “Sea covers 70 percent of Earth’s surface and much is not researched,” Roekke said. According to Time, the REV will be able to remove up to five tons a plastic per day.
It’s a strange dichotomy, though, Roekke partnering with WWF. The Norweigan hasn’t exactly been an environmental advocate throughout his career–he’s the majority shareholder in an industrial investment company called Aker ASA, with controls Aker BP, a huge European oil company, and Aker Solutions and Kvaerner, a global oil service company. The WWF, while aware of his previous business deals, isn’t about to say no to a brand new, state-of-the-art research vessel. A non-profit can’t afford to rest on its laurels too often.
“We are far apart in their views on oil, and we will continue to challenge Røkke when we disagree with him,” Nina Jensen, WFF chief, told Aftenposten. “In this project, we will meet to collectively make a big difference in the environmental struggle.”
Although Roekke didn’t disclose exactly how much the vessel will cost, according to Time, he’s worth somewhere around $2 billion. He made his money after he moved the United States to work on a fishing boat. Soon after, he began buying old boats and turning them into trawlers, working his way up the financial chain until he was able to buy up a 40 percent stake in Aker ASA. The climb didn’t come without its share of shady tactics, though. He spent time in prison for bribing officials to get a boating license.
Still, his apparent change of heart is a boon to the WWF. “I want to give back to society the bulk of what I’ve earned,” he told Aftenposten. “This ship is a part of it. The idea of such a ship has evolved over many years.”
