Kjell Inge Røkke, a Norwegian billionaire, has said he will donate his estimated $2.6 billion fortune to help clean up the world’s oceans.
Norwegian billionaire industrialist, who started as a fisherman, has contracted a 596 foot vessel set to be used for environmental research missions in partnership with WWF Norway.
Røkke told Norway’s Aftenposten newspaper that he wanted “to give back to society what I’ve earned” and described the cost of the ship as costing “the lion’s share of his fortune”.
The Research Expedition Vessel (REV) will be able to hoover up around 5 tons of plastic a day which will then be recycled. The ship is announced to be the world’s largest of its type and will be able to host 60 scientists and 40 crew.
“The REV will be a platform for gathering knowledge”, told Kjell Inge Røkke, owner of the REV to The Business Insider, “I would like to welcome researchers, environmental groups, and other institutions on board, to acquire new skills to evolve innovative solutions to address challenges and opportunities connected to the seas.”
The ship was designed to cruise in Artic and tropical areas alike and its delivery is scheduled for 2020.
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