Seilskipet Statsraad Lehmkuhl

What Seilskipet Statsraad Lehmkuhl does

Stiftelsen Seilskipet Statsraad Lehmkuhl is a Norwegian non-profit foundation (Org.nr 956 330 874) established in 1978 that owns and operates the 1914 three-masted steel bark sailing ship of the same name, based in Bergen, Norway. The organization runs the ship year-round through four interconnected revenue lines: multi-day sailing voyages (Seiltokt) where participants serve as voyage crew, fjord archipelago day cruises (Skjærgårdsturer), the flagship multi-year One Ocean Expedition research and awareness program (an official part of the UN Decade of Ocean Science 2021-2030), and the Statsraaden Bar & Reception venue at Bergen harbour whose profits fund ship maintenance. Supporting revenue streams include the Venneforeningen (15,000-member Friends Association), gift cards, and donations/crowdfunding. The foundation also charters the ship to the Royal Norwegian Navy for annual multi-month cadet training voyages (since 2002), to Norwegian and international universities for research and education legs, and to corporate clients for full-ship or group events. The 110-year-old vessel (1,516 gross tons, 2,026 sq m of sail across 22 sails) is equipped with modern research instrumentation including Aanderaa/Xylem ocean sensors, a GC Rieber Foundation-donated hydrophone, and a 2019 battery installation positioning it as the most environmentally friendly sailing ship in its class. The organization employs approximately 7 administrative staff in Bergen plus a rotating professional crew of ~25 sailors and ~45 apprentices per voyage, and is governed by a board representing the Navy, Bergen Municipality, the Bergen Shipowners Association, the Friends Association, the Institute of Marine Research, and other maritime/cultural stakeholders.

Name

Seilskipet Statsraad Lehmkuhl

Legal name

Stiftelsen Seilskipet Statsraad Lehmkuhl

Website

https://lehmkuhl.no

Company type

Private

Founded year

1914

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Norwegian non-profit foundation operating a 1914 three-masted steel bark sailing ship from Bergen, offering sailing voyages, fjord cruises, ocean research expeditions, and corporate charters to individuals, naval cadets, researchers, and corporate groups.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Heritage Tourism and Sail Training

NAICS

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (48721)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Luxury Sailing Cruises (Windjammers & Tall Ships) (THAEADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Luxury Yacht & Small-Ship Expedition Cruises (THAEABAF), Sailing Experiences (Lessons, Regattas, Day Sails) (THAJAJAG), Crewed Yacht Charters (Luxury Crewed) (THAEAEAA)

Keywords

• Tall ship sailing
• Sail training voyages
• Ocean research expeditions
• Fjord cruise tourism
• Maritime heritage education

Headquarters

HQ city

Bergen

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Sailing Voyage Tickets: Individual tickets sold to the public for multi-day sailing voyages. Full payment at time of booking. Prices vary by voyage duration and destination. Minimum 40 passengers required for voyages to proceed.
2. Fjord Cruise Tickets (Skjærgårdsturer): Day-trip tickets for coastal cruises in the Bergen archipelago. Priced at NOK 900 per person including classic shrimp and herring buffet. Capacity up to 360 guests. Also available for group bookings and full private charter.
3. Corporate and Private Charter: The ship is available for full charter to corporations, organizations, and groups for team-building events, seminars, and celebrations. Corporate membership in Venneforeningen also offered.
4. Statsraaden Bar & Reception: On-site bar and event venue at the Bergen harbour. All profits from bar operations go directly to the maintenance and preservation of the sailing ship. Generates ancillary revenue from events and walk-in customers.
5. Gift Cards: Gift cards sold for use on sailing voyages and coastal cruises, valid for two years. Provides advance revenue and customer acquisition.
6. Chartered Expedition Legs (Partners): Partner organizations (corporate, academic, governmental) charter specific legs of the One Ocean Expedition. This provides significant revenue and co-branding opportunities while some legs remain open to public ticket sales.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Seilskipet Statsraad Lehmkuhl operates Norway's largest and oldest square-rigged sailing ship (built 1914) as a foundation-owned asset, offering multi-day sail training voyages, day-trip fjord cruises, multi-month One Ocean Expedition research legs, and full-ship corporate charters. Ancillary revenue is generated through the on-shore Statsraaden Bar & Reception venue at the Bergen harbour, a gift card program, and the 15,000-member Venneforeningen (Friends Association).

Product overview

Seilskipet Statsraad Lehmkuhl operates a single primary asset: the historic 1914 three-masted steel bark sailing ship. The organization offers four interconnected experiential products: (1) Seiltokt (multi-day sailing voyages) as the core educational product where participants join as voyage crew; (2) Skjærgårdsturer (fjord cruises) as a day-trip leisure product; (3) One Ocean Expedition as a major multi-month research and awareness expedition program; and (4) Statsraaden Bar & Reception as an ancillary hospitality venue. All offerings leverage the same ship and are supported by gift card products and a membership program (Venneforeningen). The organization is not a software technology company and has no API, AI capabilities, or digital product integrations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Seiltokt (Sailing Voyages)
• Skjærgårdsturer (Fjord Cruises)
• One Ocean Expedition
• Statsraaden Bar & Reception
• Gift Cards
• Corporate and Private Charter
• Venneforeningen Membership Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 60,000 nautical miles sailed and 37 ports visited during the first One Ocean Expedition 2021-2023
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Vestland Fylkeskommune (Vestland County Municipality)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty-level government providing financial and strategic support to the foundation. Represents regional public sector backing for the ship.
• Kulturdepartementet (Ministry of Culture of Norway)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment ministry providing core funding support to the foundation. Part of the public funding ecosystem that enables the ship's operations and the One Ocean Expedition.
• Bergen Kommune (Bergen Municipality)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity government providing support and local authority backing for the foundation. Multiple board members represent Bergen Municipality.
• Stiftelsen Neptun (Neptune Foundation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor supporter that donated NOK 1.35 million to support new expeditions. Long-standing partner of the foundation. Logo appears on the sponsors page.
• Statsraad Lehmkuhls Venner (Friends Association)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner15,000-member support organization that has provided critical financial and advocacy support. Led the crowdfunding effort contributing NOK 8 million toward the 2024 maintenance cost overrun. Has been instrumental in saving the ship from being sold abroad on multiple occasions.
• Bergens Rederiforening (Bergen Shipowners Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerShipowners association providing strategic and representational support. Multiple board members represent this organization.
• Bergen Sjøfartsmuseum (Bergen Maritime Museum)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaritime museum represented on the foundation's board.
• Sjøforsvaret (Royal Norwegian Navy)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharters the ship for annual cadet training voyages since 2002. The Netherlands Navy also chartered the ship in 2000. Navy representative sits on the foundation board.
• Bergen Næringsråd (Bergen Chamber of Commerce)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChamber of commerce represented on the foundation board.
• Visit BergenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional tourism organization represented on the foundation board.
• DNV GLminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClassification society and maritime advisory firm providing technical and advisory support. Logo appears on the sponsors page.
• SkuldminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerP&I insurance club (Protection and Indemnity) serving the maritime industry. Logo appears on the sponsors page.
• Norwegian Hull Club (Norsk Hav P&K)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarine insurance provider. Logo appears on the sponsors page.
• Bergen Havn (Bergen Port)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBergen's port authority providing port services and support. Logo appears on the sponsors page.
• JotunminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarine coatings company providing paint and coatings support. Logo appears on the sponsors page.
• Møllerens (Makrella Holding)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood/supplier company providing sponsorship support. Logo appears on the sponsors page.
• ComPowerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnergy company supporting the foundation. Logo appears on the sponsors page.
• Aanderaa/XylemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld-leading water sensor company (20,000 employees globally) that donated advanced ocean sensors (oxygen, salinity, temperature, chlorophyll) for the One Ocean Expedition 2025-2026. Data will be available in real time to marine researchers and made openly available. The sensors will be used in the Northwest Passage to study the impact of melting glaciers.
• GC Rieber Foundations (GC Rieber Foundation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDonated an underwater microphone (hydrophone) for the One Ocean Expedition to capture ocean sounds including marine mammals and fish vocalizations. Also provided funding for a new exhibition at the Bergen Aquarium where the public can experience the sounds of the sea from the expedition.
• Bergen Aquarium (Bergens Aquarium)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates with Statsraad Lehmkuhl on an exhibition where the public can experience sounds of the sea from the expedition hydrophone. Received funding from GC Rieber Foundation for the exhibition. The aquarium director serves as a key collaborator in the ocean awareness mission.
• Institute of Marine Research (Havforskningsinstituttet)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorwegian marine research institute collaborating on scientific data collection during expeditions. The institute's Research Director Geir Huse serves on the foundation board. Researchers analyze the data collected by the ship's sensors and hydrophone and share findings with the public and aquarium.
• Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC/UNESCO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe IOC coordinates the UN Decade of Ocean Science. Its Executive Secretary Vidar Helgesen serves as goodwill ambassador for the One Ocean Expedition. The expedition is an official part of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030).
• European Space Agency (ESA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipating institution conducting climate and sustainability programs during specific legs of the One Ocean Expedition 2025-2026.
• Nansen CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorwegian research center participating in climate and sustainability programs during the One Ocean Expedition 2025-2026.
• Ocean Data Lab (France)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench ocean data organization conducting climate and sustainability programs during the One Ocean Expedition 2025-2026.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Sørlandet: Norwegian full-rigged ship also used for sail training and international tall ship events. Operates a similar educational cadet-training and passenger voyage model out of Scandinavia, with comparable revenue mix of tickets, charter, and public funding.
• Christian Radich: Norwegian three-masted full-rigged ship based in Oslo, offering sail training voyages and Oslo Fjord day cruises. Closest direct competitor in the Norwegian tall ship passenger and training market, with overlapping customer base and Bergen/Oslo tourism overlap.
• Stad Amsterdam: Dutch clipper operating sail training voyages and Amsterdam day trips. Comparable in mission (sail training + public access), business model (tickets + charter + government support), and customer profile (international adventure travelers and corporate charter).
• USCGC Barque Eagle: U.S. Coast Guard Academy training vessel offering sail training and limited public access. Compares on mission (naval/maritime cadet training) and operational structure (government-affiliated sail training), though serves a different national jurisdiction.

Broad incumbents

• Sea Cloud Cruises: Established luxury sailing cruise operator with multiple tall-ship vessels offering premium Caribbean and Mediterranean itineraries. Comparable in heritage tall-ship sailing experience but operates commercially at significantly higher price points and fleet scale.
• Star Clippers: Larger sailing cruise line operating three and four-masted motor-sailers worldwide. Comparable in offering traditional tall-ship sailing cruises to similar demographic, but at substantially larger scale and more commercial orientation.
• Windstar Cruises: Small-ship cruise line operating motorized sailing yachts with similar experiential positioning. Targets overlapping affluent adventure and experiential travel customers, though Windstar operates a larger fleet with conventional itineraries.

Emerging players

• Eye of the Wind: Tall ship offering themed sailing voyages (e.g., Tall Ships Races, transatlantic passages) with a smaller crew and capacity. Comparable in offering authentic sail training participation on a historic vessel to adventure-oriented travelers.

Regional players

• Bergen Fjord Cruise / Fjord Sightseeing: Local Bergen-based fjord cruise operator providing similar Skjærgårdstur-style day trips in the Bergen archipelago. Directly competes with the ship's fjord cruise product on price and itinerary.

Others

• Bergen Maritime Museum: Bergen-based maritime heritage institution with overlapping board representation and sponsorship ecosystem. Adjacent ecosystem player contributing to Bergen maritime heritage tourism and education.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/statsraadlehmkuhl
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/statsraad-lehmkuhl

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Seilskipet Statsraad Lehmkuhl