Inside AGR Marine: meet our vessel chartering Coordinator

At AGR, we’re proud to spotlight the people who keep our marine operations running seamlessly. Here’s your chance to meet one of them.

Behind every successful offshore campaign is a team of experts ensuring safe, compliant, and well-coordinated execution. Our Vessel Chartering Coordinator, Jan Are Ulleland, is at the heart of planning and delivering cost‑efficient marine operations, supporting our clients with reliable vessel solutions and strong operational oversight.

Get to know Jan Are better and discover how he is helping shape the future of AGR Marine.

1. Give us a glimpse into your day‑to‑day life at AGR. What keeps you on your toes?

Every day at our marine solutions’ division involves a mix of coordination, strategy, and problem‑solving across our marine and energy projects. I oversee the full tender process, from initial requirements to final submission, ensuring everything is accurate, competitive, and delivered on time.

This means constant alignment with clients and internal teams, shaping pricing strategies, and analysing market and competitor trends to position AGR strongly within the marine operations and marine assurance space.

I also track tender outcomes, maintain structured documentation, and ensure compliance with legal, ethical, and environmental expectations. What keeps me on my toes is the variety: every tender presents a new challenge and a chance to showcase our commitment to cost‑efficient marine operations and excellence.

2. What drew you to the industry and what keeps you passionate about it?

I was drawn to the maritime industry because of its scale, its global impact, and the constant flow of new opportunities it creates. It’s a sector where innovation, business, and offshore activity all intersect, whether in traditional oil and gas or in newer marine and renewable arenas.

What keeps me passionate is the pace. The work never stands still. Every project influences real‑world operations, and there’s always something to improve or learn. On a personal level, working in an industry connected to the sea feels completely natural, where my ambition meets genuine interest.

3. What are the main technical and operational considerations for operators planning wellhead severance as part of a wider decommissioning programme?

For contractors like AGR, key considerations in wellhead severance include understanding client requirements, choosing the right cutting method, and assessing seabed and well conditions. Vessel capability, operational risk, and integration into the wider decommissioning schedule are equally critical.

From my experience executing campaigns with the Ross Eagle and collaborating closely with AGR marine (previosuly Ross Offshore Marine) team, success comes from detailed planning and strong technical expertise across AGR. When equipment, procedures, and marine assurance processes are aligned, the operation becomes disciplined and predictable.

It’s almost like carpentry: when you know the cut, you execute with precision.

4. As the offshore industry looks for safer and more efficient ways to deliver energy, how can marine operations support this effort?

Marine operations sit at the core of making the energy transition both safer and more efficient. As offshore wind, wave power, and emerging renewable technologies expand, the industry relies heavily on the experience, vessels, and operational discipline provided by teams like AGR Marine and ABL Group.

At the same time, oil and gas still fuel much of the world, and marine crews ensure those activities are carried out responsibly, efficiently, and with rigorous safety standards. Continued innovation will drive efficiency, but it must always align with real‑world factors such as cost‑efficient marine operations, logistics, and risk management.

What motivates me is contributing to a sector that balances environmental responsibility with smart use of ocean resources. The sea offers enormous potential, and our job is to support that progress while keeping it protected.

5. Beyond the work, what makes you tick outside the office?

Outside work, I stay energised by staying active and spending time outdoors. I do CrossFit regularly for the physical and mental boost it gives me, and whenever the weather allows, you’ll find me outside enjoying music or a good book.

I recently went on a ski trip with current and former colleagues, which reminded me how much I appreciate Norwegian nature. Being in the mountains, sharing the experience with great people, is grounding and refreshing. It’s this mix of training, fresh air, and good company that keeps me balanced and performing at my best, both professionally and personally.