Sigval Bergesen the Younger
Sigval Bergesen d.y. | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Stavanger, Norway |
| Died | May 7, 1980 (aged 87) |
| Occupation(s) | Industrialist, shipping magnate |
| Known for | Founder of Bergesen d.y., expansion of Norwegian shipping fleet |
Sigval Bergesen d.y. (27 April 1893 – 7 May 1980) was a prominent Norwegian industrialist and influential figure in the shipping industry.
Personal life
Originating from Stavanger, he was the offspring of the notable shipping entrepreneur Sigval Bergesen (1863–1956) and Rachel Racine (1866–1936). His lineage includes grandfather Ole Bergesen, brother Ole Bergesen, and nephews Berge Sigval Natanael Bergesen and Ole Bergesen. On his maternal side, he was the grandfather of Morten Sigval Bergesen and Petter C. G. Sundt.
Bergesen entered into matrimony twice: initially with Ingerid Sømme (1895–1980) from 1916 until 1945—she was sibling to Iacob Dybwad Sømme and Sven Sømme—and subsequently with Nanki de Fekete (1903–1983), who had previously been married to Emil Lie.
Career
In 1935, Bergesen parted ways with his father to launch his own enterprise, Bergesen d.y.. That same year, he purchased the tanker President de Vogue, later renamed Bergesund. Subsequent acquisitions included Charles Racine in 1937 and Anders Jahre—renamed Bergeland—in 1939. By the onset of World War II, his fleet comprised three significant tankers; however, Charles Racine was sunk by torpedoes in 1942. Utilizing wartime conditions, he expanded his market share, growing his fleet to four vessels by 1950, seven by 1955, and reaching sixteen by 1970.
In addition, during 1942 he took control of Rosenberg Mekaniske Verksted, a key Norwegian shipyard that became a cornerstone of his industrial holdings. Prior to its acquisition by Kværner in 1970, Rosenberg had constructed nineteen ships for his fleet, which ranked among the largest shipping operations globally.
Bergesen maintained an active role in managing the company until health concerns necessitated his retirement in 1976. Subsequently, leadership transitioned to his grandchildren, Petter C. G. Sundt and Morten Sigval Bergesen. At that point, the fleet's total deadweight tonnage had reached seven million metric tons.