WSM Opens Ship Management Office in Bergen, Norway

Wilhelmsen Ship Management (WSM) opens a new ship management office in Bergen, on Norway’s West Coast. The office will offer technical ship management and manning services to the offshore sector and ship owners based in the region.

“The largest growth in Norwegian shipping takes place in the offshore segment. Other ship owners in the region have also grown significantly. The new operation in Bergen is a consequence of this growth. We wish to be closer to these customers to offer our experience in vessel operation and manning service,” says Haakon Lenz, regional manager WSM Europe.

The new office will be collocated with Wilhelmsen Ships Service (WSS) at Skoltegrunnskaien 1, Bergen. WSS is well established in Western Norway, with offices in Bergen, Ålesund, Mongstad and Stavanger and is represented in all the major ports along the Norwegian coastline.

“Looking ahead we expect continued strong growth in the maritime industry in Western Norway and note that several owners with new tonnage are entering this market. As a third party ship manager we offer access to qualified crew, cost effective purchasing of shipboard supplies and world class expertise in ship operation. In addition, we provide customers with a full overview of how their money is spent,” adds Lenz.

Wilhelmsen Ship Management is part of the Wilhelmsen Maritime Services group, a wholly owned subsidiary of Wilh. Wilhelmsen Holding ASA. WSM has responsibility for technical ship management of more than 160 ships in most vessel segments as well as manning services for a further 250 ships. The company’s manning pool includes more than 10 000 officers and seamen. Their level of competence is high and reflects the demands of the Norwegian offshore fleet for skills such as dynamic positioning. Kenneth Bjoerklund, WSM fleet manager, will be heading the new office in Bergen.

According to a recent report, “Norwegian offshore companies – create local value, win globally”, the number of employees in Norwegian offshore companies grew by 70% from 2004 to 2011. The Norwegian offshore fleet is the world’s most modern and second largest, comprising around 500 ships; 65% under the Norwegian flag. The fleet has become more internationalised in recent years, and more than half of its income from operations now comes from outside the Norwegian shelf. Norwegian offshore companies had a total income of NOK 65 billion in 2011, up from NOK 18 billion in 2004.

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Press Release, February 28, 2013