As a cornerstone of the firm, Wikborg Rein’s shipping and maritime practice fields a team with ‘impressive industry knowledge covering the full breadth of the maritime industry’. Andreas Fjærvoll-Larsen heads up the projects sub-practice, frequently advising Norwegian and international clients with chartering, sale and purchase, and operation matters. Oddbjørn Slinning oversees the dispute sub-group, combining expertise in litigation with broad knowledge of financing, chartering, and newbuilding projects. Morten Valen Eide heads the Bergen and Stavanger practice, chiefly focusing on ship disputes. Working alongside the trio is Herman Steen, an experienced advisor on international maritime casualties, and Øyvind Axe, a go-to name for shipping transactions.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Wikborg Rein has a very strong shipping and maritime law practice and is a "go-to" firm in this area. The team is responsive and knowledgeable, and always takes the time to fully learn about the client's needs.’
- ‘Oddbjørn Slinning is a solid partner and consistently provides excellent legal and commercial advice. He is well-versed in maritime litigation, finance and corporate structuring matters, and supported by an excellent team.’
- ‘The Wikborg Rein team we have worked with is always professional, delivering results on the agreed timeframe and is available to discuss and assist. The team is very competent, and from what we can see, they deliver good results. Furthermore, they ensure good collaboration with us as the client and any other parties to a given matter needing assistance. They use technology in an appropriate way to ensure the best results and time-efficient work.’
- ‘We have worked very closely with Andreas Fjærvoll-Larsen and Hallvard Håskjold. These are stand-out legal professionals who are always available on short notice, deliver results, and have good client management and relationships. In addition to working with us on banking and finance, these individuals have also performed work related to corporate transactions, purchase and sale of drillships, negotiations on charter contracts, management contracts and general counsel in the commercial space.’
- ‘I consider the Wikborg Rein shipping and offshore department as a leading team in Norway. The senior lawyers have an impressive industry knowledge covering the full breadth of the maritime Industry.’
- ‘We work most closely with partner Andreas Fjærvoll-Larsen, who is very professional in everything he does and also one of the leading commercial shipping/offshore lawyers in Norway, having a real understanding of the industry, combining industry knowledge with excellent legal competence in maritime, corporate and financing law in a way that provide valuable strategic advice to all aspects of our business.’
Key clients
- Assuranceforeningen Gard
- Gard Marine & Energy Ltd
- DNB Bank
- Floatel International
- Fred. Olsen Windcarriers
- Gram Car Carriers
- Norwegian Hull Club
- Odfjell Drilling
- The Swedish Club
- Solstad Offshore
- Transocean Services AS
- Skuld
Work highlights
Acting for Seadrill within a high-value appeal of a judgment rendered by Oslo District Court in February 2025 in relation to damages awarded to Seadrill's counterparty in respect of the offshore drilling rig "West Hercules".
Assisting the shipowner and insurers in relation to the grounding and salvage of the vessel "NCL Salten" in Norway.
Assisting Deep Value Driller AS with negotiation of an option agreement with Saipem for an extension of an existing bareboat charter agreement and purchase option for the drillship "Deep Value Driller".
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Andreas Fjærvoll-Larsen; Oddbjørn Slinning; Morten Valen Eide
Other key lawyers
Herman Steen; Øyvind Axe; Mads Ødeskaug; Hallvard Håskjold