The ceremony was attended by dignitaries, business representatives, cultural figures, and academic leaders, reflecting the strong ties between Norway and the Northern Netherlands. Ambassador Erling Rimestad, along with the King’s Commissioner and other esteemed guests, honored Mr. Post for his significant contributions to fostering bilateral relations, particularly in the areas of trade, energy, and academia.
Since assuming the position of Honorary Consul in 2011, Mr. Post has played a key role in strengthening economic and cultural connections between the two countries. His dedication to advancing business cooperation, supporting Norwegian companies, and enhancing academic collaborations has been widely recognized. In acknowledgment of his outstanding service, Mr. Post was awarded the distinction of Knight First Class of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit by His Majesty King Harald V of Norway in 2020.
As he steps down due to official age regulations, the embassy is pleased to welcome Ms. Karin Orsel as his successor. Ms. Orsel is a highly respected professional in the maritime industry, bringing extensive international experience and a strong commitment to fostering cross-border cooperation. As CEO of MF Shipping Group and a prominent advocate for sustainability in the maritime sector, she has been actively involved in international business and policy discussions. Her leadership and expertise will be invaluable in continuing the work of strengthening the Norwegian-Dutch relationship, particularly in the fields of maritime innovation, trade, and sustainability.
The Northern Netherlands has long been an important region for Norwegian-Dutch collaboration, not only due to its proximity but also because of shared interests in energy, culture, and academia. Norway and the Netherlands share deep maritime traditions and a commitment to sustainable development, making Ms. Orsel’s appointment particularly relevant in the current geopolitical and environmental landscape.
The embassy looks forward to working with Ms. Orsel in her new role and is confident that she will continue the important work of fostering and expanding the ties between Norway and the Northern Netherlands.
Ambassador Erling Rimestad and our new honorary consul Karin Orsel.