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VIKING’S HISTORY BEGINS WITH THE SORENSEN FAMILY

... and the transformation of a small startup company in the port of Esbjerg into a global market leader. All in the space of 58 years.

The story of VIKING begins in a town where people know that the sea gives and the sea takes away. For decades, anxious women have waited through storms for signs of life from their men at sea. Some in vain, others relieved when their loved ones managed to defy nature’s power and rescue themselves.

The fishermen have almost disappeared from Esbjerg, Denmark’s most western town. But VIKING remains – now as a global corporation that has long since conquered the world’s oceans and whose name is synonymous with safety at sea. For fishermen, merchant seafarers, ship passengers, offshore workers, sports and leisure sailors, and everyone who sails the seas.

VIKING is also the story of the Sørensen family, whose generations have made their mark on the town and its harbor. Tage Sørensen (1915-2016) founded Nordisk Gummibådsfabrik, now known as VIKING Life-Saving Equipment A/S, in 1960. He remained the company’s active chairman until 2010, when he retired at the age of 95.

Tage Sorensen was influenced by the Boy Scout movement and its ideals: honesty, responsibility, helpfulness and respect for others. His values still shape the culture of our company and define its character, helping to guide us as we grow.

At the heart of VIKING lies an important mission to protect and save human lives all over the world.  

Our products protect passengers and crew on many of the world’s largest cruise liners and cargo ships as well as workers on the most advanced offshore platforms. At the same time, we safeguard the ability of shipowners and offshore asset owners or operators to manage their businesses by ensuring safety and regulatory compliance on board at all times.

VIKING is a global company with more than 55 years of innovation and leadership in maritime and offshore safety. Headquartered in Denmark, we employ over 2,800 people in more than 30 countries. No-compromise service is a cornerstone of VIKING’s offering, delivered by a network of local experts and 280 certified servicing stations spread around the globe.