Shipping: Norway

This firm continues to impress clients with its vast shipping expertise and excellent service. “The lawyers are easy to talk to, they don’t complicate things and they are quick – we have no reason to go elsewhere,” said one source. The team continues to grow, numbering six partners and 17 associates across the Oslo and Bergen offices. It offers a full range of services, including advice on transactions, financing, litigation and contractual matters. Along with an excellent track record for transactional work in the shipping and oil industries, the firm is actively developing advisory services in the maritime sector. It also continues to benefit from its non-exclusive collaboration with Holman Fenwick Willan on wet maritime work, enabling the team to provide assistance on casualties all over the world. “One of the best shipping lawyers in Norway,” head of department Stephen Knudtzon is applauded as “clever, calm, thorough and easy to work with.” With know-how spanning wet maritime, insurance and oil service matters, he advises clients such as Höegh Autoliners and Höegh LNG, as well as various foreign salvage companies and drilling contractors. Clients appreciate Jørgen Lund's “solid maritime expertise.” He has long experience in the oil service industry, acting for the likes of Seawell and Seadrill. Olav Vikøren acted for Global Skipholding in a number of sale and leaseback transactions. Siri Wennevik is a “clever and hard-working" attorney. She works alongside Hans Haugstad and their teams handle the firm’s ship finance mandates.

“A major player working at the top level,” this firm upholds its heavyweight presence, helped by its international network of offices in Singapore, Shanghai, London and Kobe. The Norwegian lawyers are "highly qualified, always deliver first-class work and have good availability,” comment clients. The “excellent” Trond Eilertsen is praised as “a true all-rounder” in shipping and maritime law. He has been involved in some high-value litigations of late. Henrik Hagberg is “promising and efficient,” observers remark. He recently advised J.B. Ugland Shipping on its legal and financial restructuring. Handling work such as debt and equity restructuring for Skeie Group, Finn Bjørnstad wins praise for his experience in ship finance as well as general maritime matters. Bernhard Haukali has led several financing and refinancing deals for clients such as HSH Nordbank. “He really has a handle on things and his reputation is well deserved,” said one observer. Bergen-based Christian Friis is highly regarded for his ship finance work. Having practised in the firm's Kobe and London offices, Morten Lund Mathisen is well regarded within shipping litigation. He heads Wikborg Rein's internationally recognised wet team. Oslo-based Gaute Gjelsten is described as an “active and promising young lawyer.” The litigation team has handled numerous casualties recently, with the 'Full City' case a highlight.

With a solid reputation for transactions and finance, this firm is a serious player in the shipping market. It acted for Ship Finance on a rig-related sale and leaseback of considerable value. It also advised cruise line operator Hurtigruten on restructuring four syndicated facilities and two bond issues. The team counselled several clients, including the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association, on changes in the country’s shipping tax regime. Rolf Johan Ringdal is the driving force behind the firm's increased strategic focus on energy and shipping work. He has considerable transactional experience within these areas. “A first-class operator,” Geir Gustavsson advises on international shipbuilding projects and project finance. “He is always upfront, and provides useful opinions," remarked one client. Ole Lund is admired for his command of maritime law and knowledge of the oil service industry. Jan-Fredrik Rafen focuses on contentious matters and recently handled a number of dry shipping disputes. Øystein Ore is highly experienced in shipping and insurance litigation.

This firm is valued for its transactional and ship finance prowess, with restructuring and leaseback deals featuring heavily in the recent workload. Its client portfolio reflects this strength, with Nordea, Fortis, Eksportfinans and DVB Bank choosing to instruct the group. Clients highlight “excellent drafting” as a key strength. “A driving force at the firm,” Christine Rødsæther is based in the Bergen office. She specialises in ship finance and is considered “efficient and successful in her work.” Knut Erik Westad is known as an expert in ship finance and maritime law. Morten Lund enjoys a reputation as a top shipping litigator.

Wiersholm continues to be a popular choice for clients seeking high-quality shipping expertise. The team’s impressive client roster includes Frontline, Seadrill, Subsea 7, BW Offshore and AIG Europe. Known for their strength in financing, the lawyers have recently handled refinancings and renegotiations of existing contractual commitments. Highlight work includes the Golden Ocean Complex restructuring of a shipping group, a mandate led by Erling Lind, who is praised as “commercially minded, solution-oriented and very quick.” Nicolas Brun-Lie “truly understands pure shipping issues” and has been busy with complex finance work of late. Focusing on maritime litigation, Erik Blaker is described as the “number one for marine insurance claims.” He assisted Havyard International with several complex disputes over the delivery of three vessels. Eystein Eriksrud impresses clients with his “responsiveness and expertise.”

A new entry into the rankings, this young outfit specialises in the shipping, offshore and oil industries. It attracts much praise from clients. “Its main strength is its size – it is a small firm, but the lawyers are highly dedicated as a result,” one interviewee said. The team has experience in both contentious and non-contentious maritime and insurance law, and observers consider it one to watch: “They are strengthening the organisation with top-class personnel.” Christian Steen Eriksen concentrates on shipping finance and is described as “thorough and balanced.”

This firm has long experience in shipping law. It is recognised for its shipping finance advice, which has made up much of its recent workload. Sindre Walderhaug heads the shipping finance group and advises on maritime law. Known as “a lawyer who gets results,” Lars Musaeus also focuses on maritime matters. The team handles a considerable amount of referral work. It recently represented the Steel Authority of India in litigation about documentary credit, and acted for Vyborg Shipyard on contract and delivery issues under shipbuilding contracts.