Shipping and maritime law in Norway

BAHR

With ‘detailed sector and product knowledge’, BAHR serves as a key adviser to international and domestic shipowners, operators and ship financing banks and insurers across a broad range of shipping work. The maritime law practice is jointly steered by transactions, project management and finance expert Henrik Aadnesen and Rebecca Lund Nakkim, who focuses on shipping finance work. Elsewhere in the team, Geir Gustavsson has a broad practice, Anne Dahl Frisak takes point on high-value shipping transactions, and Atle Skaldebø-Rød is a seasoned litigator. Hågen Hansen who heads the Bergen office, joined the team alongside Eivind Eliassen and Lars Inge Ørstavik, formerly at Advokatfirmaet Simonsen Vogt Wiig, in 2024.

Praxisleiter:

Henrik Aadnesen; Rebecca Lund Nakkim


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Geir Gustavsson; Anne Dahl Frisak; Atle Skaldebø-Rød; Hågen Hansen; Eivind Eliassen; Lars Inge Ørstavik; Ida Marie Windrup


Referenzen

‘Detailed sector and product knowledge and service minded. Extensive resources to tackle large and complex processes. Best person for the job principle applied making the time usage effective and cost efficient.’

‘Henrik Aadnesen and Rebecca Nakkim have second to none understanding of our business, our product and what the key success factors are. Pragmatic and solution-oriented approach to negotiations making them trusted advisers in client dialogues and discussions.’

‘For shipping finance matters, Ida Marie Windrup is very approachable and always a joy to work with. Anne Dahl Frisak has a great practice advising a range of shipping companies.’

Kernmandanten

Ocean Yield


AMSC ASA


Edda Wind


Grieg Group


Torghatten


PGS ASA


Østensjø Group


Okeanis


Navig8


The Aker Group


Star Bulk


Cool Company


Golden Energy Offshore


Wilh. Wilhelmsen


Wallenius Wilhelmsen


Eastern Pacific


Norwegian Hull Club


Torghatten Nord AS


Bastø Fosen AS


JAS Worldwide


Peak CSL Group AS


Volstad Maritime AS


New Nomadic Short Sea Shipping AS


Wergeland Group


Westcon Group


Wilson ASA


Champion Tankers AS


Highlight-Mandate


  • Advising PGS ASA on its merger with TGS.
  • Representing Edda Wind ASA on the order of four new Commissioning Service Operation Vessels (CSOVs) from the Norwegian shipyard Vard Group AS.
  • Assisted Ocean Yield with the sale and leaseback of up to ten newcastlemax dry bulk newbuilds for a total of up to $576m net of seller’s credits from CMB N.V.

Advokatfirmaet Thommessen AS

Working closely with the firm’s M&A and banking and finance departments, Advokatfirmaet Thommessen AS regularly advises on transactional work within the shipping and maritime space. Practice co-head Henrik Hagberg has a broad practice across contentious and non-contentious matters, with particular strength in cross-border transactions and dispute resolution, while co-head Mads Haavardsholm is the go-to adviser on the sale and purchase of vessels, shipbuilding contracts and charterparty negotiations. For matters involving marine insurance, Andreas Meidell and Henrik Møinichen are recommended, while Ellen Teresa Heyerdahl focuses on asset finance work. Lisa Marie Opdahl joined the Bergen office in July 2024 from BAHR.

Praxisleiter:

Mads Haavardsholm; Henrik Hagberg


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Andreas Meidell; Henrik Møinichen; Ellen Teresa Heyerdahl; J Greve, Hans Olav Lindal; Rune Ulriksen Steinsland; Lisa Marie Opdahl


Referenzen

‘The team has a very strong grasp of the law but also excels in providing timely, commercial and cost-effective advice.’

‘New partner Henrik Møinichen is particularly impressive – gets it quickly and is very responsive, understanding what clients need and giving it to them. Long-serving partner Andreas Meidell has a wealth of experience and is practical and commercial.’

‘Great team, willing to put the required work in; pleasant to work with; always available to discuss ideas and consider different options; highly skilled and diverse; very well connected in the Norwegian market.’

Kernmandanten

Höegh Autoliners and Höegh LNG


Wilh Wilhelmsen Holding ASA/Wallenius Wilhelmsen ASA


Gard AS


Seaway 7 ASA


Pareto Securities AS


Island Offshore AS


Jo Tankers AS


Knutsen NYK Offshore Tankers ASA


Norwegian Hull Club


BW Maritime/BW Offshore/BW LPG


Lampe & Schwartze KG – Verein Hanseatischer Transportversicherer e.V.


DeepOcean AS


Fearnley Advisors AS


TRF Ship Management AS


Amon Maritime AS


Belships ASA


Kongsberg Gruppen ASA


Gdansk Shiprepair Yard “Remontowa” SA


Tschudi Shipping Company


Hunter Group ASA


Odfjell SE


Wilson


Sølvtrans


G2 Ocean


AquaShip


Gearbulk


DOF ASA


Viken Shipping


Arne Blystad AS


Western Bulk Charterering AS


Den Norske Krigsforsikring for Skib


Ocean Infinity


MPC Containerships ASA


Seadrill Offshore AS


Havfram Wind AS


Azane Fuel Solutions AS


Norwegian Hull Club – Gjensidig Assuranseforening


Gard Marine & Energy Ltd


Solvang ASA


Arctic Securities AS


Ventura Offshore Holding Ltd.


Brit Insurance


Highlight-Mandate


  • Representing Seadrill in a dispute concerning the redelivery of the rig “West Hercules” to SFL in December 2023.
  • Representing the Den Norske Krigsforsikring for Skib on a claim for total loss, amounting to more than $180m.
  • Advising Havfram Wind on entering into a shipbuilding contract with Yantai CIMC Raffles Offshore Ltd.

Wikborg Rein

Wikborg Rein‘s practice routinely advises on the whole gamut of maritime and shipping matters, including cross-border transactions and disputes. In Bergen, Øyvind Axe oversees the global team and focuses on shipping transactions, while Andreas Fjærvoll-Larsen co-leads the group from Oslo, and Herman Steen leads the shipping and offshore dispute practice. The team also includes Morten Valen Eide and Stian Holm Johannessen , who take point on strategic commercial advice and dispute resolution within the sector, and Oddbjørn Slinning, who advises on marine litigation and casualty work.

Praxisleiter:

Øyvind Axe; Andreas Fjærvoll-Larsen; Herman Steen


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Morten Valen Eide; Stian Holm Johannessen; Oddbjørn Slinning; Anders Færden


Referenzen

‘Wikborg Rein has a great team of people with good diversity and provides excellent service.’

‘We have a long relationship with the partner and he is very familiar with our company, our legal processes and what is required. This makes the relationship unique and makes the communication easy and seamless.’

‘No other Norwegian law firm matches the breadth and depth of knowledge of Wikborg Rein’s Shipping Offshore team. Wikborg Rein is unique in its ability to cover any aspect of legal issues that arise in the maritime industry ranging from transactional to disputes and casualty work.’

Kernmandanten

Assuranceforeningen Gard


Gard Marine & Energy Ltd


DNB Bank


Floatel International


Fred. Olsen Windcarriers


Gram Car Carriers


Norwegian Hull Club


Odfjell Drilling


The Swedish Club


Solstad Offshore


Transocean Services AS


Skuld


Yara International ASA


DFDS


Hydro


Fearnleys


Codan Insurance


Hydor AS


Norgesgruppen


Norwegian Royal Navy


London P&I Club


BW Offshore


Pareto


Fjord1 AS


COSL Drilling


Macro Offshore


Highlight-Mandate


  • Acted as global lead counsel to the Solstad Offshore ASA group in connection with the restructuring and refinancing involving a NOK4bn share issue and NOK10bn financing agreement.
  • Assisted Hydor in connection with the total loss of the fully laden container ship “Angel”, which sank at the anchorage at Kaosiung, Taiwan.
  • Assisted Eldorado Drilling AS with a comprehensive project covering all contract, financing and corporate law matters related to the delivery of its two first drillship.

Advokatfirmaet Schjødt

Sitting within the firm’s broader shipping and oil services team, Advokatfirmaet Schjødt offers ‘very strong business insights and competence’ across the full range of shipping and maritime law, standing out for its strength in shipbuilding work, maritime disputes and sustainable maritime projects. The practice group is co-led by experienced partners Camilla Bråfelt, who specialises in disputes and operational contracts; and Norman Hansen Meyer, who acts for ship owners, operators and shipyards. Other key practitioners include ‘top-notch commercial and legal adviser’ Stian Tennfjord, who focuses on shipbuilding deals, and Trond Sollund, who is a key contact for litigation and arbitration in the oil and gas sector.

Praxisleiter:

Camilla Bråfelt; Norman Hansen Meyer


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Stian Tennfjord; Trond Sollund; Øyvind Brandal


Referenzen

‘Extremely good overview of all aspects related to the case we had.’

‘Stian Tennfjord stands out with business-specific experience and understanding, valuable both when cogitating commercial contracts, and also when in disputes. His service level is outstanding and goes a long way to “always” be reachable when needed.’

‘Norman Hansen Meyer is easy to work with and very knowledgeable/hands-on.’

Kernmandanten

Altera Infrastructure AS


Argeo Survey AS


DNB Bank ASA


Frontline Plc


Havyard Leirvik AS


Höegh LNG AS


Intership AS


Myklebust Verft AS


Ocean Yield AS


Prosafe SE


Reach Subsea AS


SFL Ltd.


Tersan Shipyard


Vard Group AS


Windkeeper AS


Yinson Production AS


Havyard Leirvik AS


Highlight-Mandate


  • Advised Intership AS and AquaShip AS on shipbuilding contracts for a live fish carrier at Zamakona Shipyard in Spain, including negotiating design agreements and funding arrangements.
  • Acted for Vard Group AS in negotiating shipbuilding contracts worth €250m for a cable-laying vessel and hybrid Service Operation Vessels (CSOVs) for NKT HV Cables A/S and Windward Offshore.
  • Advised Höegh LNG on a €225m tender process and the $153.5m sale of the FSRU Independence to KN Energies.

Advokatfirmaet Simonsen Vogt Wiig

Utilising the firm’s domestic network of offices, Advokatfirmaet Simonsen Vogt Wiig’s shipping and maritime practice fields a ‘highly professional team’ and handles the entire spectrum of matters spanning corporate and commercial mandates, shipping finance work, casualty work and litigation mandates. Yannis Litinas co-heads up the ocean team and specialises in cross-border shipping transactions, while co-head Jan Vablum handles litigation and co-head Gunnar Espeland is a key name in the firm's Stavanger office. The team also includes Christine Rødsæther, who is singled out by clients as an ‘exceptionally professional lawyer with a profound knowledge of her sector’ and handles all areas of shipping transactions; and Erlend Lous, who is an expert in shipping financing and restructuring work. Elsewhere in the team, Tone Jajford Seth advises financial institutions and owners on shipping and financing matters. Lars Inge Ørstavik left the team in July 2024.

Praxisleiter:

Yannis Litinas; Jan Vablum; Gunnar Espeland


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Christine Rødsæther; Erlend Lous; Tone Jajford Seth


Referenzen

‘The combination of high legal competence, solution orientation and commercial skills are appreciated. Having members on the team with extensive experience is also appreciated.’

‘Strong legal competence, commercial approach and experience makes individuals stand out.’

‘Highly professional team with many years of experience and deep sector knowledge.’

Kernmandanten

Blystad/Songa Group


Clarksons (Oslo)


DNB Bank


Energifonden Maritime AS


Eurazeo


Fearnley Securities AS


Grieg Shipholding AS


Grieg Edge AS


Grieg Shipbrokers


Green H AS


Hudson Structured Capital Management Ltd.


Lunasol Polaris


Fosen Yard AS


Gjensidige Forsikring ASA


Grieg Star


Maritime Asset Partners Limited


Ness Risan & Partners


Sterling Shipping Ltd


RF Ocean SA with subsidiaries


Uthalden Maritime


Zonda Drilling AS


Highlight-Mandate


  • Representing Grieg Maritime entities in connection with 10+ newbuildings, including bulk carriers and cargo carriers, from shipyards in China.
  • Representing the French/European investment fund EURAZEO in the €29m pre-delivery/post-delivery financing and purchase/lease-back of two vessels.
  • Acting for WLR/TRF Shipping L.P. in connection with the sale of seven tankers to various international buyers, in a deal worth $300m.

Wiersholm

Leveraging a cross-practice approach, Wiersholm handles transactions, banking and tax mandates within the shipping industry and acts for a client roster featuring Norwegian and foreign-based ship owners, rig owners, shipping banks, and financial advisers. At the helm of the practice is Kristine Hasle, who is an expert in banking, financing, restructuring and shipping work, and Karl Even Rygh, who advises on shipping transactions.

Praxisleiter:

Karl Even Rygh; Kristine Hasle


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Ignazio Azzari Støen; Marcus Gjeruldsen Spillum; Kristian Wangsfjord


Referenzen

‘Strong team covering all fields relevant to us, in particular shipping, capital markets and M&A. Very efficient.’

‘Karl Even Rygh – very strong on shipping, offshore and general corporate.’

Kernmandanten

Hurtigruten AS


Sea1 Offshore Inc.


Siem Industries


DNV


Golden Ocean Group Limited


Frontline plc


Archer Limited


Avance Gas Holding Ltd.


Viking Supply Ships


Awilhelmsen


MPC Container Ships ASA


NYK Lines


Western Bulk Chartering AS


Sinoceanic Shipping AS


OSM Maritime Group


Flex LNG Ltd


Granne Forsikring


Tromstrygd


Nordlys Forsikring


Wilh. Wilhelmsen


Maersk Supply Service


Seatankers Management


ADS Maritime Holding Plc


Pareto Securities AS


Equinor ASA


The Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy (MPE)


SFL Corporation Ltd


AquaShip AS


Liberty Mutual Insurance SE


The Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries


Sea1 Offshore


Northern Lights


Olympic Shipping


Highlight-Mandate


  • Advised Frontline plc on its en-bloc acquisition of 24 crude carriers from Euronav NV.
  • Advises Siem Offshore Inc. in connection with the transfer of 9 of its offshore vessels to major shareholder Siem Sustainable Energy S.a r.l.
  • Advising Avance Gas on the en-bloc sale of its existing fleet of twelve gas carriers to BW LPG Limited.

Gjelsten Herlofsen Advokatfirma AS

Gjelsten Herlofsen Advokatfirma AS‘s dedicated maritime practice stands out for its strength in shipping litigation. The group handles a high level of marine insurance cases under the leadership of Frithjof Herlofsen, who is a specialist in shipping and marine insurance disputes. Fellow practice head Gaute Gjelsten offers clients ‘workable solutions for the most complex legal issues’ with experience handling marine and offshore claims. Other key names include seasoned litigator Børge Alsvik and Christian Bjørtuft Ellingsen, who joined in January 2024 from Advokatfirmaet Simonsen Vogt Wiig and handles contentious and non-contentious shipbuilding and repair contracts.

Praxisleiter:

Gaute Gjelsten; Frithjof Herlofsen


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Børge Alsvik; Christian Bjørtuft Ellingsen


Referenzen

‘Christian Bjortuft Ellingsen has much knowledge about transportation law and he is also very kind and proactive.’

‘Gaute Gjelsen is a stand-out practitioner in the Norwegian market for shipping and maritime law – probably the strongest lawyer in the region.’

‘Two of the highest regarded shipping partners in Norway set up this practice, they have had a healthy growth in resources since then and are large enough to handle the biggest and most complex shipping disputes.’

Kernmandanten

Assuranceforeningen Gard


Assuranceforeningen Skuld


Alandia Insurance


Norwegian Hull Club


If Insurance


Norsk Hydro ASA


Yara International ASA


Markel Marine & Energy Insurance


QBE Insurance


Zurich Insurance


Aspen Insurance


Torghatten ASA


Kvale Advokatfirma DA

Offering clients an ‘ideal blend of academic excellence and hands-on knowledge’, Kvale Advokatfirma DA‘s team advises clients across the full spectrum of maritime issues, spanning contracts, casualty issues, insurance work and contentious matters. Singled out for their ‘professionalism, thoroughness, and commitment to understanding the nuances of each case’, Kristian Lindhartsen, who focuses on marine insurance, and Lilly Kathrin Relling, who has experience in contractual negotiations, lead the team. For transactions and restructurings in the sector, Jostein Moen is a key contact.

Praxisleiter:

Kristian Lindhartsen; Lilly Kathrin Relling


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Jostein Moen


Referenzen

‘Kvale Advokatfirma DA’s Shipping and Maritime Law practice is recognised for its solid expertise and practical approach to legal issues within the maritime sector.’

‘Working with individuals like Kristian Lindhartsen and Lilly Relling has been a positive experience. They stand out for their professionalism, thoroughness, and commitment to understanding the nuances of each case.’

‘Kristian Lindhartsen and Lilly Relling are standout advisers and advocates. They give particularly incisive and frank advice. They will pursue a case aggressively when it calls for it but otherwise take a commercial, settlement-minded approach.’

Kernmandanten

Havila


Fearnlys Offshore


Bourbon Horizon


Viking Engineering


Eksfin


SR-Bank


First Marine


Brit Syndicate 2987


Nørresundby Rederi & Shipping af 2017


Vilma Oil


Hardangerfrakt


Clarksons Platou


Kongsberg Maritime


Maersk Drilling


Statnett SF


Solution Seeker


WR Berkley Insurance (Europe)


Lancashire Insurance


Eagle Burgmann Norway


AOS Lifter


Compagnia Italiana di Navigazione


BW Offshore


SANDS

SANDS‘s dedicated maritime law offering spans all aspects of shipping-related work, including contentious mandates, construction work, insurance issues, and corporate matters. The team is under the leadership of Simone Häderle Ingeberg, who is a key name for contentious matters, and Marit Kirkhusmo, who is recommended for ship financing and restructuring work. Other key practitioners include Guy Leonard, who has a track record in advising on project development and vessel chartering issues, Hallvard Janbu Høyem, and Ane Dahlen.

Praxisleiter:

Simone Häderle Ingeberg; Marit Kirkhusmo


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Guy Leonard;  Hallvard Janbu Høyem; Ane Dahlen


Referenzen

‘Very efficient and high quality.’

‘Simone Häderle Ingeberg – very quick, efficient, intelligent, super cooperative and nice. A pleasure to work with her.’

Kernmandanten

Akastor ASA/ DDW Offshore AS


Eitzen AS


Vard Group AS, Norway and Fincantieri, Italy


Höegh LNG Ltd


Eitzen Avanti AS, Norway and Christiania Shipping A/S, Denmark


DeepOcean


NORAC AS


WoodNor AS


Höegh LNG Ltd / AS


Gjensidige


Highlight-Mandate


  • Assisted Akastor ASA/DDW Offshore AS in connection with a $31m refinancing of three anchor handling vessels.
  • Assisted Höegh LNG with the charter of a floating storage and regasification unit to the Egyptian State gas company.
  • Assisted Eitzen Avanti AS and Christiania Shipping A/S in the acquisition of B-Gas A/S, B-Gas NSG, B-Gas Pelagic and their subsidiaries from Bergshav and its partners.

Selmer

As part of the firm’s wider shipping and transport department, Selmer‘s practice covers the full range of shipping and maritime matters, with notable strength in charterparties, management agreements, and restructurings. Practice head Preben Helverschou is the ‘first port of call’ for wet shipping issues, contracts, shipbuilding matters and transactional work. Tor Herdlevær handles shipping finance work, with a particular focus on distressed debt restructurings.

Praxisleiter:

Preben Helverschou


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Tor Herdlevær; Eline Hellem Langeland; Lars Tomasson


Referenzen

‘A firm I would recommend to others without hesitation.’

‘Preben Helverschou is a superbly capable commercial lawyer, with unparalleled commercial experience. My first ‘port of call’ for any shipping or international trade issues.’

Kernmandanten

Eidesvik Offshore


Fjord1


Wilhelmsen


Reach Subsea


Ocean Installer


Westcon Yards


Eksfin


Hydor


Altera Infrastructure (formerly Teekay Offshore)


DSV Air & Sea Norway


Awilco Drilling


Halliburton


COSL Drilling


Yinson Production


Tersan Shipyard


Green Yard Kleven shipyard (formerly Kleven Verft)


Swire Energy Services


Technip Energies Group (various subsidiaries)


Magseis Fairfield


SpareBank 1 SMN


Sparebanken Vest


Sparebanken Møre


Skuld P&I Club


Rem Purus


Olympic Subsea ASA


The Norwegian Hull Club


Highlight-Mandate


  • Advising the lenders on a NOK536m term loan guarantee facilities agreement with the borrower Leinebris in connection with the financing of a longliner fishing vessel.
  • Advising Olympic Subsea on drafting, negotiation and dispute resolution under charterparties and other contracts within the offshore wind and oil and gas industries.
  • Assisting RGI Marine Holding AS in connection with a €32m private placement into Wind Energy Construction AS.

Ræder Bing

Under the leadership of Jon Andersen, Ræder Bing has ‘extensive experience with providing practical legal advice’ and stands out for cargo-related matters, liability claims, and marine insurance matters. Kristian Østberg, who handles cargo recovery claims, arrests, insurance matters, and charter parties, is also singled out.

Praxisleiter:

Jon Andersen


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Kristian Østberg; Kristine Elisabeth Nielsen; Alexander Wiesner Bing


Referenzen

‘Strong transport and cargo team with extensive experience.’

‘Jon Andersen is very knowledgeable, and a safe pair of hands for complicated legal disputes.’

‘Competence and practice in the area of logistics.’

Kernmandanten

Tryg Forsikring NUF


W.R. Berkley Insurance Nordic NUF


If Skadeforsikring NUF


Bud og Hustad Forsikring gjensidig


AXA XL, Norway Branch


Zurich Insurance plc


Norwegian Coastal Directorate


Yara International ASA


Ro Sommernes Advokatfirma DA

The team at Ro Sommernes Advokatfirma DA is ‘highly specialised and up to date with current changes in the shipping legal arena’ and handles mandates across all aspects and stages of shipping work. Praised for ‘an in-depth knowledge of a wide range of relevant processes’, the practice is led by Ole Johan Stensli and Erling Lind. They work alongside Katinka Wikborg, who regularly assists with corporate, finance and asset transfer transactions within the shipping sector, and Håkon Hellerud, who handles vessel financing and asset transactions.

Praxisleiter:

Erling Lind; Ole Johan Stensli


Weitere Kernanwälte:

Katinka Wikborg; Håkon Hellerud


Referenzen

‘Highly experienced and knowledgeable on various legal aspects, covering financing, regulatory and corporate advice in multiple jurisdictions. Very responsive and always available to discuss issues and provide constructive advice.’

‘Partners Håkon Hellerud and Ole Johan Stensli have an in-depth knowledge of a wide range of relevant processes and get stuck into the details whenever required.’

‘Håkon Hellerud provides excellent service and is very knowledgeable. It is always a pleasure to work with him.’

Kernmandanten

Borr Drilling Limited


Himalaya Shipping Limited


2020 Bulkers Ltd.


Highlight-Mandate


  • Assisted Borr Drilling Limited in connection with the placement of a $1.54bn secured bond in the US market.
  • Assisted Himalaya Shipping Ltd. with its sale and leaseback financing arrangements for the twelve bulk carries deliveries from New Times Shipbuilding in China during 2023 and 2024.
  • Assisted 2020 Bulkers Ltd. with the sale of two dry-bulk vessels to a third-party owner.