22 April, 2026, REDHILL – NSSLGlobal, a leading independent full-service project engineering, satellite communications provider and systems integrator, is supplying vital satellite communications equipment and airtime to the inaugural row by the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy (RNNA) as four graduating officers row 1,000 miles across the North Sea from Norway to the UK sailing under the banner of “Row for Ukraine”.
NSSLGlobal has been supportive of the row from a fledgling idea to introducing the Royal Navy’s long standing HMS Oardacious team leader to bring his experience from two trans-Atlantic rows, also supported by NSSLGlobal, to the Norwegian team. NSSLGlobal will equip the crew with satellite phones for welfare, support and emergency communications, as well as mobile satellite solutions for email and short video clips during the journey. The company will install the equipment and train the crew in its use, providing support before, during and after the voyage and contribute funds to the charity. NSSLGlobal has over 55 years in satellite communications and has seen demands and technology change significantly in this time. The company provides project management, implementation and proactive maintenance of the full range of shipboard navigation, bridge and radio systems, along with operational and welfare communications to major shipping companies and ships ranging from aircraft carriers to patrol vessels.
NSSLGlobal has strong connections to Norway, with a 30 strong office in Oslo which provides technical solutions and research-and-development, and with the major shareholder being the Norwegian investment company, Arendals Fossekompani.
Norway and the UK, both founding NATO members, have a strong bilateral naval relationship consolidated with the joint interchangeable fleet of anti-submarine warfare frigates following the Lunna House Agreement. Building on 75 years of UK-Norway cooperation and named after the Scottish headquarters of the Norwegian resistance during the Second World War, this agreement is the biggest warship export deal in history and has paved the way for increased cooperation and integration between the two navies. The Royal Navy, UK
Commando Forces and others regularly train in Norway and where the defence of the high north is becoming increasingly critical.
“As a maritime nation, Norway has an important role in working closely with Ukraine and the United Kingdom to develop defense capabilities in the Black Sea. It is highly inspiring to see that NSSLGlobal is now supporting Row 4 Ukraine’s important voyage across the sea to London—a strong symbol of the resilience we must demonstrate together in the Nordic region. At the same time, it highlights the expertise Norway possesses and can contribute to this shared defense effort. This work also helps strengthen the long-term ties between Norway and Ukraine,” says Natalia Golis, Managing Director, Fritt Ukraina.
Sally-anne Ray, Group CEO, NSSLGlobal, said: “At NSSLGlobal we are very proud to provide support for these intrepid Royal Norwegian Naval graduating officers for a cause that means so much to us all. Safety at sea is all-important and having satellite phones and data devices onboard gives the crew the connectivity they need for emergencies and to stay in touch with their supporters.”
By rowing from Bergen in Norway to London in the UK, the four officers will raise money for Fritt Ukraina, a Norwegian organisation providing aid to Ukrainians defending their homeland.
By the time they set off in July, the four will have graduated from cadet to officer from the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy. During the crossing, they will maintain continuous 24-hour watch and use their naval training to operate under extreme pressure and in high-stakes maritime environments to navigate one of the world’s most demanding sea areas.
The four cadets, who specialise in marine engineering, weapons technology and logistics are Frikk Ekeberg, Erik Gulbrandsen, Aleksander Skogly-Jensen and Henrik Listhaug. Their boat is a 7.4m-long D12 Ocean Rowing Boat which has been engineered for reliability with two open rowing positions and two tiny cabins, one forward and one aft. This enables two crew members to rest while the other two row.
All funds raised beyond the costs of the expedition will aid Fritt Ukraina’s work delivering equipment and support to the Ukrainian 36th Marine Brigade.
All donations can be made here: Row for Ukraine 2026 | Spleis fra SpareBank 1
