Ocean Youth Organizations/Initiatives

ToolSpawn supports and unites the world of youth organizations and initiatives in the maritime industry to enable young talent to enable their growth and empower them to be the next changemaker!

Here is a list of some youth initiatives and organizations to look for in the ocean industry.

Global Young Professionals & Youth Organizations

YoungShip International (YSI) is a professional non-profit organization for young people working within the global maritime industry

SPNI - Shipping Professional Network International is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to the promotion and development of the global maritime industry. It was established in 2007

Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) activates young people, develops and implements innovative solutions, and mobilizes an ocean workforce to restore the health of the ocean in our lifetime. Founded in 2014, SOA has cultivated into the world's largest network of next-gen leaders, entrepreneurs, advocates, mentors, and partners working to create solutions for the largest challenges facing our ocean.

Ocean Youth Ocean Youth is focused on building tomorrow’s leaders and change makers to conserve and protect the oceans. Ocean Youth is all about gaining skills and implementing solutions to some of the bigger issues that our oceans face and influencing others to do it too

The Ocean Project The Ocean Project catalyzes collaborative and collective action for our ocean and climate. They work with different youth leaders, youth-focused organizations, and other people in a growing global network to effectively engage the public, inform policymakers, and bring the world together to protect and restore our blue planet.

Regional Young Industry Professional Organizations

Young Shipping Professional of New York (YSPNY) is to promote and increase interaction among young professionals within the shipping industry and to provide a forum for members to develop their industry knowledge, foster career development and strengthen their connections with other members

Shipping Professional Network London (SPNL) London’s own meeting place for young shipping professionals. The SPNL enjoys significant industry support, with industry backing from the UK Chamber of Shipping

Young Professionals in Shipping Network Hong Kong (YPSN) It was founded in 2010 by like minded individuals with a passion for shipping and has grown from an informal social gathering of friends and colleagues into an incorporated non-profit association, holding events attracting over 200 attendees. With strong support from the shipping community, the YPSN has gone from strength to strength and now have over 900 members from a wide range of reputable companies and institutions in Hong Kong.

Young Professionals in Shipping Network China (YPSN PRC) As of 2012 this branch was established to expand the HK network with successful events held both in Shanghai and Beijing

YoungFish a Norwegian independent organization for young professionals below 40 who work in-or in relation to-the sea food industry. YoungShip was an inspiration.

Women Offshore - The Women Offshore Foundation propels women into meaningful careers through access to a worldwide community and professional development resources, while raising awareness amongst industry leaders and decision makers about issues affecting women on the water.

Maritime SheEO - offers a bouquet of services focusing on the business case for diversity. Its goal is to come up with solutions that can help the maritime and related industries, with a focus on diversity and inclusion (D&I), leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship, and competitive advantage.

SheFarers - has a mission to create an online platform to support people in the maritime industry who experience difficulties at work. It is open to everyone in the industry: for people working offshore, in ports or in management, across the world

Young Executives Shipping (YES) Forum - is the platform of open dialogue in the Greek Shipping and Sea Tourism Industry among principals, executives and university students, recent graduates and young executives that takes place under the auspices of the Ministries of Shipping, Education, Tourism and the majority of the Greek Universities

Youth Ocean Network (UK) is a network of young people raising their voice against environmental hazards. The network is made up of like-minded young people who take part in online polls and spread the word about environmental issues to the rest of the world. 

Sea Youth Rise Up is a community of young people with the collaboration effort of The Ocean Project and the Youth Ocean Conservation Summit. The Sea Youth Rise Up is a reservoir of ideas, voices, and passion. The youth of the world are essential to protecting the environment. The campaign selects the best and brightest youth leaders from around the globe and gives them the resources through which to inspire their peers.

Student Groups

NTNU Ocean: NTNU Oceans one of NTNU's four strategic research areas, addresses complex challenges of great importance for society through interdisciplinary cooperation. Through research and public events like Ocean Week, NTNU Oceans helps Norway live up to its role as a maritime nation.

ECOPRODIGI project increases eco-efficiency in the Baltic Sea region maritime sector by creating and piloting digital solutions in close cooperation between industry end-users and research organizations. Ultimately, ECOPRODIGI supports Baltic Sea region in becoming a front-runner in maritime industry digitalization and clean shipping.

USN Maritime: A maritime community organization that offers education, host events and provides job opportunities for students. The Maritime Trainee program lasts 18 months and combines work in a world-leading maritime company with an academic program consisting of five modules in Norway

Chalmers Studentkår: It consists of thousands of engineering, architectural, and marine students at Chalmers. Add a healthy mix of fun and wholesome ingredients called committees, societies, management teams, councils, companies, representatives, and employed staff, and we are complete.

Erasmus University Rotterdam (Centre for Maritime Economics & Logistics): The MEL is part of Erasmus University and has extra features that not only provide you with the opportunity to understand the maritime sector in the real world, but also offer you the opportunity to network.

ReGeneration 2030: ReGeneration 2030 is a youth movement for sustainability in the Nordic and Baltic Sea regions. We bring activists aged 15–30 from across the region together to share knowledge and strategize. We are on a mission to fight climate collapse and build a sustainable future for all.

EU Teens for Green: project has been launched as a clear response to the needs of the current situation. It offers an opportunity for teens to take ownership and become actors of change while proposing actions to help build a green recovery in their region and hence contribute to the good governance of the cohesion policy.

YES Europe: offers a platform to develop both international and national initiatives to shape the future of energy in Europe and give youth a space to act within this fundamental transition. They believe in both individual and group creativity, so we help each other come up with ideas, develop them, and put them into action.

Maritime Student Congress: The Maritime Student Congress is a leadership development conference for student association executives. As the first conference of it’s kind in the Maritimes, it is intended to supplement student executive transition by providing networking opportunities, training, and information sessions. The Delegates meet to fellow student executives from across the Maritimes, discuss student issues and shared challenges, and participate in training designed to enhance their performance as student leaders.

Get on the Map

Get on the map and connect with youth organizations and initiatives in the maritime industry, and get access to the ToolSpawn community and resources. Follow this guide for instructions