German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder with Norwegian Kjell Inge Rokke (Picture by JENS BUETTNER/AFP/Getty)

A billionaire, who started out as a fisherman in Norway, has promised to spend most of his $2.6 billion fortune cleaning up the world’s oceans.

Kjell Inge Røkke wants to build a 596-foot marine research ship which will scoop up tonnes of plastic which is wrecking the oceans.

Trump arrives in Saudi Arabia with Melania and Ivanka in first foreign trip as President

Røkke said 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 new Research Expedition Vessel, which the World Wildlife Fund is helping build, will be able to hoover up five tons of plastic a day which will then be recycled.




The ship will also be able to carry 60 scientists and 40 crew and will be the biggest of its kind in the world.

Plastic is wrecking the ocean and a Norwegian billionaire wants to help

Mr Røkke said: ‘The REV will be a platform for gathering knowledge.’

‘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.’

Røkke worked several years on Alaskan trawlers from the age of 18, in the 1980’s he ran several U.S. companies before returning to Norway to build a shipping fleet.

Forbes once described him as a ‘ruthless corporate raider’.

MORE: Trump told Russia sacking ‘nut job’ FBI chief would ease investigation pressure

MORE: Members of the public are travelling hundreds of miles to try and see Pippa’s wedding