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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.