Slethaug (also president of the Norwegian Shipbroker’s Association, established in 1919) has put together a strong team committed to delivering world-class solutions to customers.

“Since our reorganization in 2016, we are constantly improving our systems, growing our chartering team and increasing our fleet,” said Slethaug. “Having recently opened an office in Hamburg, Germany, we are in an even stronger position to better serve our clients as a significant player in the European short sea segment.”

The company owns seven vessels; combined with time-chartered and commercially managed vessels, Peak Group AS has a fleet of approximately 35 vessels.

Based in Bergen, Norway and certified ISO 9001, the Peak Group AS fleet makes approximately 3,500 port calls per year. The fleet consists of modern, fully boxed tonnage for general and project cargoes, and all major bulk commodities including International Maritime Organization-classified cargoes.

The Peak Group AS has multiple subsidiaries. Peak Project Carriers AS was established in 2014 and focuses on the chartering and operations of project cargo. Peak Logistics AS’ business, meanwhile, relates to self-discharging vessels, all equipped with excavators.

Peak Chartering AS focuses on modern multipurpose and bulk vessels whereas Fjeld Consultant AS is a major player in the project and heavy lift cargo markets.

Jan-Petter Slethaug, Managing Director of Peak Group AS  |  © Peak Group AS

The Peak Group is continuously developing and enlarging its fleet.  |  © Peak Group AS

The company is a proud member of the Norwegian Shipbroker’s Association.  |  © Peak Group AS

Norway gave the company an opportunity to expand its business when it started its operations in Arendal.

“Arendal is strong in maritime and shipping due to its maritime heritage and stable environment, which is why companies like us thrive there,” said Geir Sekkesaeter, managing director of OSM Norway.

With an initial focus to supply seafarers, OSM Norway eventually grew to become a company that provides full-service solutions to the global maritime and offshore industry.

Geir Sekkesaeter, Managing Director of OSM Norway  |  © OSM Norway

Lars Christian Skarsgard, Belships’ CEO, attributes its entrepreneurial background and long history to the success of the company today.

“Belships has been owning and chartering vessels from Japan since 40 years ago and experienced the evolution in design and efficiency.”

In 2018, the Norwegian dry bulk owner finalized its merger with Lighthouse Group, which enabled the company to grow into a fully integrated shipping company with both commercial and technical management inhouse. It has since extended an exceptional period of growth for the company, doubling the fleet and achieving more than five times its original value and market capitalization.

Lars Christian Skarsgard, CEO of Belships  |  © Belships

Since it started its operations in 1989, Idemitsu Petroleum Norge’s main source of oil has been the Snorre field, in the Tampen area in the southern part of the Norwegian Sea.

As the oil production of Snorre gradually decreased over the years, the company discovered oil in the Duva field, located in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea.

“Our main field had always been in Snorre since we started in 1989. Our new discovery, the Duva field, where we will start oil production during the first quarter of 2021, is a good example of how we are moving along with production sustainability,” said Hiroshi Arikawa, managing director of Idemitsu Petroleum Norge.

Hiroshi Arikawa, Managing Director of Idemitsu Petroleum Norge  |  © Idemitsu Petroleum Norge

“Our expertise lies in oil and gas exploration using support vessels with a very good performance,” said Petter Nordby, CEO of K Line Offshore.

A decline in global market oil prices and reduced activities by oil companies that began in 2014 has had a significant impact on the industry and associated companies, resulting in decreased profits.

As oil prices now move back to more stable levels, K Line Offshore is grabbing the opportunity to develop its operations. It aims to be back on track with full growth in 2020.

Petter Nordby, CEO of K Line Offshore  |  © K Line Offshore

As the company celebrates 30 years in the industry, it also celebrates the milestones it has achieved throughout the years.

In 2010, UECC created its liner trading network covering the whole of Europe. The short-sea carrier also launched the delivery of the world’s first and biggest dual-fuel liquefied natural gas (LNG) PCTCs, the MV Auto Eco and the MV Auto Energy in 2016.

Recently in 2019, UECC ordered a series of three battery-hybrid LNG PCTC vessels from China Ship- Building Trading Co. and Jiangnan Shipyard (Group) Co., which will take the company beyond the International Maritime Organization’s 40 percent target of reducing carbon emissions by 2030.

As part of its long-term goals, UECC is focused on investing in more environmentally friendly solutions for its business operations.

Glenn Edvardsen, CEO of UECC  |  © UECC

Artist’s impression of UECC’s new Battery Hybrid LNG PCTC. The first in a series of three to be delivered to UECC in the middle of 2021.  |  © UECC

As the world’s third-largest operator of supramax vessels, operating between 140 to 170 cargo ships daily, Western Bulk is recognized for successfully becoming a leading asset-light shipping company. “Being asset-light, we are able to fully focus on our customers,” said Hans Aasnaes, CEO of Western Bulk.

Thanks to its effective and asset-light business model, the shipping company is able to form direct working relations with its larger customers, both locally and internationally. With headquarters in Oslo, Western Bulk has offices in Seattle, Santiago, Casablanca and Singapore, handling operations worldwide and covering all time zones.

Hans Aasnaes, CEO of Western Bulk AS  |  © Western Bulk AS