Kongsberg Maritime is formally on track to become a stand-alone company after shareholders approved the separation at an extraordinary general meeting of Kongsberg Gruppen on Thursday. The maritime business is expected to be listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange on 23 April.
Following the split, Kongsberg Gruppen ASA will continue as two businesses. Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and Kongsberg Discovery will form the new KONGSBERG group, while Kongsberg Maritime will operate independently, ending its long-standing position as one of the group’s three core business areas.
Lisa Edvardsen Haugan, incoming chief executive of the new Kongsberg Maritime, said the vote marked a significant step in a longer transition process. “This was one of many milestones we will go through, and it was good to have this step confirmed. At Kongsberg Maritime, we are ready to take the next step and stand on our own feet,” she said.
She added that the company believes it is well positioned to benefit from long-term growth in the global maritime sector. “We are uniquely positioned to take part in the upcoming value creation in the global maritime sector. We have the people, the knowledge, and the innovation power needed to solve the technological challenges the maritime sector will face in the coming years.”
Since the separation was announced in October 2025, Kongsberg Maritime has restructured internally in preparation for independence. A new management team has been appointed, the divisional structure has been adjusted, and key corporate functions have been reinforced to support life as a listed company.
Looking ahead, the company intends to expand its activities across both civilian and defence-adjacent markets. “Going forward, we will continue to build on our already leading position and seize new business opportunities, including in the growing market for solutions with both civil and defence applications,” Edvardsen Haugan said.
The company’s headquarters will remain in Norway, which Edvardsen Haugan described as strategically important. “Kongsberg Maritime and the rest of the Norwegian maritime cluster have great strategic importance for the country, and we will work to strengthen that significance,” she said, noting that the firm will continue to follow its customers globally, with more than 80 per cent of revenues generated outside Norway.
On ownership, the Norwegian government has confirmed its intention to retain a majority stake of 50.004 per cent in both the new KONGSBERG group and Kongsberg Maritime. “I am very pleased that the Norwegian government recognizes the importance of retaining its ownership in the company and look forward to an active and good dialogue going forward,” Edvardsen Haugan said.
A new board has also been confirmed for Kongsberg Maritime, chaired by Per Arthur Sørlie, with board members Margareth Øvrum, Ivar Hansson Myklebust, Kristin Holth and Anders Bade. Sørlie currently serves as deputy chair of Kongsberg Gruppen ASA and brings detailed knowledge of the maritime business as it prepares to operate independently.
