Shipping
Europe Guide 2024 : Norway
Band 1
About
Provided by Wiersholm
The maritime and transportation industry is one of our most internationally oriented industries. In addition, the rules are constantly developing and changing. This requires not only legal knowledge of international regulations, but also extensive knowledge of the markets in which businesses compete.
Our lawyers are Norway's most prominent experts on this area, and they have long experience with assisting Norwegian and international clients. Our assistance includes negotiations and the signing of contracts with regard to financing, agreements with construction and repair yards, purchase and sale of vessels, and contracts of carriage.
Our lawyers have much experience with handling disputes. We help secure claims by providing for guarantees and arrests, and we also assist in the investigation of damage to/loss of cargo, analyses of liability, and litigation. We have several cases being litigated or arbitrated at all times. Our lawyers have litigated more cases before the Norwegian Supreme Court in "wet" maritime law and shipping and road transportation law than any other law firm in Norway.
Chambers Review
Wiersholm demonstrates experience across a broad range of contentious and non-contentious shipping mandates. The group earns praise for its work on ship finance matters. Its lawyers win instructions to act either for selling ship owners or purchasers on sale and leaseback transactions. The team assists with the drafting or negotiation of newbuild contracts with foreign shipyards. It also represents clients in disputes relating to damage caused to cargo or vessels.
Work Highlights
- Wiersholm assisted Tidewater with the acquisition of 37 platform supply vessels from Solstad Offshore.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Wiersholm has a very good market presence and sees a lot of deals, so it can deliver market-tested creativity."
"The team provides a good quality of work and fast response times."
"Wiersholm has Norway's best lawyers in maritime law. Both the partners and associates have very good knowledge, and they provide fast, precise and relevant answers."
"Wiersholm's team has special knowledge in maritime and insurance law, and gives good guidance in issues related to marine claims. It has strong industry knowledge."
"It is an experienced and trained team that gives prudent insight into the industry."
"Wiersholm has a very good market presence and sees a lot of deals, so it can deliver market-tested creativity."
"The team provides a good quality of work and fast response times."
"Wiersholm has Norway's best lawyers in maritime law. Both the partners and associates have very good knowledge, and they provide fast, precise and relevant answers."
"Wiersholm's team has special knowledge in maritime and insurance law, and gives good guidance in issues related to marine claims. It has strong industry knowledge."
"It is an experienced and trained team that gives prudent insight into the industry."
Notable Practitioners
Outstanding practitioner Kristine Hasle handles a variety of ship finance matters ranging from bond issuances and acquisition financing to the agreement of sale and leaseback transactions. She also attracts attention for her work on restructuring mandates.
"Kristine is a rock star in shipping deals and finance."
"Kristine Hasle is a top lawyer."
"She is dedicated and understands what clients need."
"She offers an extremely high-quality service, is always quick to respond and is concise with her expert advice."
"Process-wise, Kristine Hasle is very well organised and her expectation management is excellent."
Atle Gabrielsen has a strong finance practice that extends into the shipping sector. He is recognised by market commentators for his activity in acquisition finance transactions.
"He has a good commercial understanding and is very steady on the technical side. He has experience and has seen a lot of deals, and he is good at using this. He is good at seeing the commercial angle."
Progressing in the rankings, Christian Hauge has broad experience in litigation proceedings relating to cargo damage as well as insurance liability claims.
"Christian Hauge is a highly skilled lawyer who delivers as expected."
"He has a high level of knowledge and is very service-minded. He combines legal expertise with operational and technical knowledge."
Karl Even Rygh is well reputed for his presence in the law firm's commercial shipping practice. He assists shipping companies with the negotiation of shipbuilding contracts and advises on vessel sales and purchases as well as M&A transactions in the sector.
"He delivers a high level of service for his clients. He is always available and has a high level of commercial awareness. He is solution-oriented and we always feel like we're in good hands when he is assisting us."
"He has this calm presence that spreads throughout the entire process of discussions with counterparties, which de-escalates it and finds solutions."
"Karl Even Rygh is very skilled and pleasant to work with."
"He is a very strong legal adviser on shipping-related matters."
"Karl Even is a very capable lawyer."
Ranked Lawyers at
Wiersholm
Norway
Members
Provided by Wiersholm
Hans Kenneth Viga-Gerhardsen
Karl Even Rygh
Industries
Provided by Wiersholm
Banks
Financial Services
Insurance
Transport
Transportation