Advokatfirmaet Simonsen Vogt Wiig leverages the firm’s domestic network of offices to advise on the full range of shipping and maritime issues, fielding a ‘very experienced’ team with a solid presence along the Norwegian coast. The full-service offering spans corporate and commercial mandates, ship finance work, offshore matters, as well as casualty work and litigation. Erlend Lous attracts praise for his ‘encyclopaedic knowledge of maritime law’ and takes point on complex financing issues in the shipping and offshore sectors, while Yannis Litinas specialises in cross-border transactions. The ’extremely talented‘ Christine Rødsæther handles the full range of transactional shipping mandates, including bareboat charters, shipbuilding contracts, sale and leasebacks, and ship financings. ’Fantastic tactician‘ Hågen Hansen rounds out the team and is a key name for shipboard investigations, casualty work, and contentious matters; expert litigator Lars Inge Ørstavik is another individual to note here.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘We have worked with Erlend Lous on two transactions and his performance was outstanding: very professional, valuable advice, very efficient, patient, strong in negotiations to protect our best interest but still commercial and diplomatic. One of the best lawyers I have personally worked with over more than 10 years.’
‘Deep understanding of the market and exceptionally hands-on partners.’
‘Yannis Litinas represents one of the sharpest minds in the maritime finance space in Europe. He is exceptionally hands-on and his capacity to find commercially viable solutions to complex challenges is second to none.’
‘Very experienced team and good at what they are doing. Get back to you at once.’
‘The team has strength and depth of experience in maritime law.’
‘Lars Inge Ørstavik - Good at making difficult calls and acting decisively. Erlend Lous - Encyclopaedic knowledge of maritime law. Hågen Hansen - A fantastic tactician.’
'Christine Rødsæther is an extremely talented lawyer.'
‘Christine Rødsæther is very attentive, and keeps herself updated on all aspects of our business. Christine has a unique ability to combine commercial thinking with sound and practical legal advice, always looking for the solutions rather than the obstacles.’

Key clients

Blystad/Songa Group
Clarksons (Oslo)
DNB Bank
Energifonden Maritime AS
Eurazeo
Fearnley Securities AS
Grieg Shipping II AS
Grieg Edge AS
Grieg Shipbrokers
Green H AS
Hudson Structured Capital Management Ltd.
Lunasol Polaris
Fosen Yard AS
Gjensidige Forsikring ASA
Grieg Star
Maritime Asset Partners Limited
Ness Risan & Partners
Sterling Shipping Ltd
RF Ocean SA with subsidiaries
Uthalden Maritime
Zonda Drilling AS

Work highlights

Acting for the owners and the insurers of the crude oil tanker Sola TS in litigation against the Norwegian Government following the collision with and subsequent sinking of the Norwegian Navy's frigate KNM Helge Ingstad.
Advised Sterling Shipping Ltd. of Malta with subsidiaries on the (i) acquisition of its 4th bulk vessel, (ii) reflagging of vessels and restructuring of the group, and (iii) refinancing of the fleet of vessels.
Advised UMAS 1 AS on the purchase and employment/operation agreements of the drilling rig SSV Catarina.

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