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Ocean Autonomy Cluster and the Strategic Forum for Nyhavna hosted a breakfast meeting at Trondheim Maritime Center to present plans for establishing "Maritimt Studenthus Nyhavna" - a maritime student hub in Skippergata – right in the heart of the emerging technology and industrial district at Nyhavna. The goal is now to engage industry partners in building even stronger ties with the student community.

The initiative is driven by technical student organizations from NTNU, in collaboration with NTNUI.

The ambition is to establish permanent facilities that can serve as a workshop and office space for student activities, innovation, and cross-disciplinary collaboration – bridging the gap between students and industry.

– “Students have long been looking for a space they can use around the clock – a place to develop technology, build projects, and collaborate closely with industry. Now, we have a real opportunity to make it happen,” said Kristian Blom, coordinator for NTNU’s technical student organizations and one of the key drivers behind the project.

Ragnar Eggen, Strategisk Forum Nyhavna. Photo: Ocean Autonomy Cluster

Warehouse to student hub

Nyhavna Utvikling has given the green light to repurpose a warehouse in Skippergata 13 for the student center. Together with architecture students from Studio:Beta, the student organizations have developed a concept for renovating and adapting the building for student use.

During the breakfast meeting, Morten Breivik (NTNU), Ragnar Eggen (Strategic Forum for Nyhavna), and Erik Erlien (Nyhavna Utvikling) presented the broader context and the value of integrating student communities into the industrial development of the area.

Student organizations – Studio:Beta, Njord – The Autonomous Ship Challenge, Vortex NTNU, and NTNUI – shared their visions for the space, future activities, and potential collaborations with industry.

– “This is a unique opportunity to unite NTNU’s strongest tech environments in a shared student center at Nyhavna – right in Trondheim’s maritime hub,” said associate professor Morten Breivik from NTNU’s Department of Engineering Cybernetics.

– “We’re seeing a convergence of three key factors: technological opportunities, Norway’s best tech students, and a unique location on the waterfront. This gives us a historic starting point to create something entirely new. Nyhavna has what it takes – docks, sheltered harbor areas, and direct access to the fjord. It’s the perfect place to connect maritime technology with operational reality. The technology wave is upon us – the question is: who’s ready to help make history?” he added.

Erik Erlien, Nyhavna Utvikling. Photo: Ocean Autonomy Cluster

A collective effort for the future

The meeting gathered industry representatives from Trondheim and Nyhavna, and the response was overwhelmingly positive.

– “Our goal with the event was to spark enthusiasm among potential industry partners. Several attendees expressed support for the project, and it’s clear that many recognize the value of building stronger connections between students and industry,” said Kristian Blom.

The first phase of the project is already funded by the building owner, Nyhavna Utvikling. A building condition assessment has been initiated in collaboration with Asplan Viak and will form the foundation for the renovation budget and planning. The next step is to mobilize support from industry to prepare the building for 24/7 student use – benefiting both students and the wider innovation ecosystem at Nyhavna.

The project is seeking partners to help make it a reality through financial support.

Liv Holmslet Astad og Tarald Mosdøl, Studio:Beta. Photo: Ocean Autonomy Cluster

Patrick Sheehan, Vortex, Sigurd Angell Bergh, NTNUI and Kristin Suphellen, NTNUI. Photo: Ocean Autonomy Cluster

Do you want to know more?

Contact

Yngvild Bakken Furunes, Ocean Autonomy Cluster
yngvild@fi-nor.no

Morten Breivik, NTNU og Strategisk Forum Nyhavna
morten.breivik@ntnu.no

Kristian Blom, TO-koordinator NTNU
kristian1.blom@gmail.com 

Sigurd Bergh, NTNUI Dykking/byggtekniske spørsmål
sigurd.bergh@ntnui.no

Kristin Suphellen, NTNUI Moment
kristin.suphellen@ntnui.no

See also Maritimt Studentsenter Nyhavna webpage