Norwegian billionaire Kjell Inge Røkke

Fisherman Turned Billionaire Is  Giving Away His Fortune To Clean Up The Oceans

Kjell Inge Røkke, Norweigan Fisherman-turned-billionaire said that he is willing to give away his fortune to help clean up the world's oceans. He wants to build a 596-foot marine research ship that will scour the seas scooping up plastic litter.

At the age of 18, Kjell began his career working on Alaskan trawlers. Would you believe that this self-made billionaire has no secondary or higher education?

He is listed by Forbes with an estimated worth $2.6 billion in 2016.

In the 1980's,  Kjell ran several U.S. companies in the Seattle area before going back to his home country to build a shipping fleet. He now owns nearly 67% of publicly traded Aker, shipping, and offshore drilling conglomerate; He is listed by Forbes with an estimated worth $2.6 billion in 2016.

Kjell was known as the "Ruthless Corporate Raider" said that he wanted to give back to society what he earned. He even described the shipping cost as "the lion's share of his fortune."

REV's aim is to build a ship that will able to scoop up around 5 tons of plastic trash

The ship, known as the Research Expedition Vessel or REV will be the world's largest ship and will be able to carry 60 scientists and 40 crew, and will be built in conjunction with the World Wildlife Fund.

A recent study stated that an uninhabited island in the South Pacific was covered in an estimated 38 million pieces of plastic. That's why REV's aim is to build a ship that will able to scoop up around 5 tons of plastic trash from the seas, which will then be recycled afterwards.

Research Expedition Vessel or REV will be the world's largest ship

Kjell also said that the REV would be a platform for gathering information. And he is inviting environmental groups, researchers, and other institutions on board. The aim is to acquire new skills, to evolve innovative solutions,  that will address challenges and other opportunities related to the seas.

The REV ship is expected to be operational by summer 2020

The REV ship is expected to be operational by summer 2020. It will be equipped with laboratories, an auditorium, two helipads, among other amenities.

Thank you for your concern in our environment!

“If man doesn't learn to treat the oceans and the rainforest with respect, man will become extinct.”

 - Peter Benchley