Oceans5
March 14, 2025
At Oceans5, success isn’t just about the services we provide, it’s about the incredible people who make it all happen.
Today, we’re excited to share the story of one of our standout team members: Ronja Arheim.
Ronja has been at the forefront of a major shift in our industry, and her journey has been nothing short of inspiring.
A year ago, Ronja made headlines as one of the few women working in the role of a cable operator, a position that’s traditionally been dominated by men.
But Ronja isn’t just making waves – she’s actively creating space for more women to follow in her footsteps. And she’s not alone in this journey. Since she joined, a new female trainee has joined our team, which speaks volumes about the change that’s happening at Oceans5 and in the broader industry.
At Oceans5, we’re committed to building an environment where everyone has the opportunity to grow, innovate, and be part of something bigger. As we continue our work in energy transition and sustainable marine development, we know that diversity is crucial in shaping the future of our team and our industry.
Ronja’s story is just one example of how we’re cultivating a culture that celebrates diverse perspectives. But let’s dive into what makes Ronja’s journey unique and how she’s helping to shape a more inclusive future for all of us.
Ronja never imagined she’d end up working offshore, let alone in a male-dominated role. But fate (and a bit of family influence) had a way of guiding her path.
"It all started when my stepfather worked at Oceans5, and my father had also worked at sea when he was younger. It seemed like an exciting and interesting line of work, but I didn’t realize it could be a career for me until my stepfather mentioned they were looking for more people. He drew it out on a piece of paper, explaining what the job involved. It sparked something, and I thought, ‘why not give it a go?’” Ronja recalls, looking back on how she stumbled into this career.
At the time, Ronja knew little about cable operations and certainly didn’t see it as a potential career path. But once she stepped into the role, there was no turning back.
It’s a simple, yet powerful reminder: If you don’t know something exists, how can you pursue it? Sometimes, it just takes someone showing you the way before you even think about walking that path.
The industry has historically been dominated by men, but things are moving in the right direction. Technology and better working methods mean that physical strength plays a smaller role than before.
“There is a lot of physical work on deck, but we are getting more and more machines and tools that make heavy lifting easier. There’s no reason why women can’t do this job,” Ronja emphasizes.
Her presence at Oceans5 has been more than just symbolic. According to CEO Peter-Emil Johannessen, Ronja’s professionalism and skills have made a real impact on the team:
"She has been warmly welcomed, and her qualities and professionalism are outstanding. Our clients are also eager to assign work to our female workers, which shows that inclusion is not just good for culture—it strengthens operations."
The arrival of a new female trainee at Oceans5 shows that representation matters. When industries are visibly open to women, the threshold becomes lower for those considering the same career. Seeing someone like yourself in a role creates a sense of belonging and possibility.
But visibility alone isn’t enough: industries must also do a better job of showcasing career paths.
Ronja’s own story is proof of this. She had the interest and ability, but if her stepfather hadn’t mentioned the job, she might never have considered it. Many skilled workers may be missing out on opportunities simply because they don’t know they exist.
Oceans5 is taking steps to change that. CEO Peter-Emil Johannessen highlights an important initiative:
“We aim to make it easier to balance family life with offshore roles. At Oceans5, cable operators will have the opportunity to contribute in the office when family responsibilities, such as caring for young children, require shorter offshore rotations or more time onshore.”
For Ronja, it’s about making the path clearer for others.
“Don’t be afraid to try! You might be surprised at what you can master. And don’t let others’ expectations dictate what you can or can’t do,” she encourages.
Ronja envisions a long career offshore and hopes to see more women take their place in the industry.
"I want to keep developing in the role and become even better. The job is exciting, and I look forward to seeing more women discover these opportunities," she says.
A year after her first media mention, we’re already seeing the impact: More women are stepping forward.
But for this shift to continue, industries need to do more than rely on chance encounters to bring in new talent. Raising awareness about career paths ensures that opportunities don’t go unnoticed.
As CEO Peter-Emil Johannessen puts it:
"Gender diversity is key to building a solid company culture. When you dare to try new things, unforeseen improvements emerge. In offshore operations, staying focused is crucial—and as we’ve seen firsthand, women often bring a high level of focus that benefits the entire team."
This is not just a personal success story: it’s evidence of change in action.
Oceans5 has grown fast, and we need to keep up the focus on soft values, people management and reporting together with the development for the company.
See how Oceans5 can empower your team and leverage technology in wind, onshore, and offshore projects with expert solutions.
