Wilh. Wilhelmsen

Last updated

Wilh. Wilhelmsen Holding ASA
Company type Allmennaksjeselskap
OSE: WWI
Industry Shipping
Founded1861;163 years ago (1861)
Headquarters Lysaker, Norway
Key people
 Thomas Wilhelmsen (CEO)
Diderik Schnitler (chair)
Number of employees
Ca. 21,000
Website www.wilhelmsen.com

Wilh. Wilhelmsen Holding ASA (WWH) [1] is a Norwegian multinational maritime group, headquartered in Lysaker, Norway. The group employs more than 21,000 people and has operations in 75 nations. [2] The Wilhelmsen group operates the largest maritime network in the world, with over 2200 locations worldwide. [3]

Contents

The WW group was founded on 1 October 1861 in Tønsberg. The company's first vessel was the barque Mathilde in 1886. Halfdan Wilhelmsen was forward thinking and realised that steamboats were the future, therefore in 1887 he bought the vessel Talabot. It was only after they bought Talabot that the company started making profits. Thence, all their ships have been named, started with the letter "T", often leading to the same name given repeatedly to different ships over time. For example, there have been at least four ships named Talabot ranging from tankers to ro-ro vessels.

Since 1978 the main owners have been the siblings Cecilie Paus and Helen Juell, and their now deceased brothers Wilhelm Wilhelmsen and Finn Wilhelmsen. [4] Their children, the fifth generation of the Wilhelmsen family, are Thomas Wilhelmsen, Olympia Paus, Pontine Paus, Cathrine Løvenskiold Wilhelmsen, Hedvig Juell, Maren Juell, Hannah Wilhelmsen, Monica Wilhelmsen and Julie Wilhelmsen.

History

The Torrens of 1939 Torrens (IMO 5365302) Sjohistoriska museet Fo8347A.jpg
The Torrens of 1939

In 1861, the company was founded by (Morten) Wilhelm Wilhelmsen in the town of Tønsberg, Norway. During the next two decades, Wilhelmsen's fleet increased with an average of one ship per year and by 1886 Wilhelmsen was Tønsberg's largest shipowner.

In 1886, Wilhelmsen's eldest son, Halfdan Wilhelmsen joined the firm and was instrumental in the company's move from sail ships to its first steamship. In late 1887, the company acquired the 1,800-ton freighter, Talabot. The steamship was a profitable investment for the Wilhelmsens and the letter "T" became synonymous with the company's naming tradition for its vessels.

In 1890, Halfdan Wilhelmsen laid the basis of the company's core business - liner trades. In 1911 NAAL (The Norwegian Africa and Australia Line) was established.

A turning point in the expansion of the Roll-on/roll-off operations was the full acquisition in November 1995 of NAL (Norwegian America Line) and its 7 Car Carriers. NAL also owned a 70% stake in NOSAC (Norwegian Specialised Autocarcarriers), already in partnership with Wilh. Wilhelmsen Line, that was owning the remaining 30% share. At that time, NAL was facing a cargo volume downturn and an overall profits reduction, that made register lower than expected financial results in 1994-1995. However the NOSAC takeover was fundamental not only to increase the fleet of nearly further 20 Car Carrier vessels, but also to fully step into the Korean market, where the company was previously awarded Kia Motors contract to ship cars from South Korea to United States, from 1996 to 1998. [5]

Wilhelmsen family

The company's owners, the Wilhelmsen family, are descended from Wilhelm Zachariassen Holst (ca. 1732–1807), who worked at Vallø saltverk. His great-grandson was shipping magnate (Morten) Wilhelm Wilhelmsen (1839–1910), the founder of Wilh. Wilhelmsen. He was the father of ship-owner Halfdan Wilhelmsen (1864–1923), factory owner Finn Wilhelmsen (1867–1951), ship-owner Wilhelm Wilhelmsen (1872–1955) and businessman Axel Wilhelmsen (1881–1957). [6]

Halfdan Wilhelmsen was the father of Mistress of the Robes Else Werring (1905–89), married to ship-owner Niels Roth Heyerdahl Werring (1897–1990). Wilhelm Wilhelmsen (1872) was the father of ship-owner Tom Wilhelmsen (1911–78), who was the father of the owners of the Wilh. Wilhelmsen company: Morten Wilhelm Wilhelmsen (1937–2020), Cecilie Paus (born 1943) and Helen Juell (born 1947). Cecilie Paus is the mother of fashion designer Pontine Paus and of Olympia Paus, wife of Alexander Nix. [7]

1989 Partnair Crash

In September 1989, Partnair Flight 394 crashed en route to the christening ceremony for a new ship in Hamburg. The flight had been chartered by the shipping company. 50 employees were killed, including the top two levels of management. [8]

Current operations

Shipping

MV Tortugas at the Port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands, 2008 Tortugas IMO 9319765 photo-1.jpg
MV Tortugas at the Port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands, 2008

WW conducts shipping activities and specialises in roll-on roll off cargo, especially for large project and awkward cargoes like train coaches, small aircraft and large industrial machinery. This is aided by the fact that their Ro-ro vessels have large ramps that can support up to 420 tonnes cargo weight at a time. Together with its partners (EUKOR and Wallenius Lines), the group controls some 160 car and roll-on/roll-off carriers operating in a global network of trades. Its customers include manufacturers of cars[ which? ] as well as construction and agricultural machinery.[ which? ] In the car carrier market, they are the third largest carrier tonnage wise after MOL and NYK Line. On an annual basis, WW's shipping companies transport 5 million cars and 12 million cubic metres of high and heavy and non-containerised cargoes.[ citation needed ]

The group both owns and charters vessels, which are deployed in the fleets operated by subsidiaries Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics, American Roll-on Roll-off Carrier, United European Car Carriers and EUKOR Car Carriers. This last, corresponding to the former Roll-on/roll-off division of Hyundai Merchant Marine, was jointly acquired for an 80% by Wilhelmsen and Wallenius Line in November 2002, once the European Commission officially cleared the purchase and consequent re-branding. [9]

In June 2011, Wilh. Wilhelmsen acquired the MV Tønsberg, first of a class of "Mark V" roro ships built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries; they are the largest roro ships in the world. [10]

Logistics services

In association with maritime transport, WW offers various types of logistics service on land – terminal and technical services, procurement of inland transport and supply chain management for vehicles. In addition to logistical services offered through WWL, the WW group has interests in South Korea's Glovis, Australia's Kaplan and the two US companies American Auto Logistics and American Logistics Network.[ citation needed ]

Maritime services

Wilhelmsen's maritime service segment includes ships service, ship management, insurance services and other maritime services activities. The group offers services like agencies in many ports. They are one of the world's largest providers of third-party ship management services. [11] The WW group provides full technical management, crewing and related services for all major vessel types, this also includes 50% of NorSea Wind. Furthermore, they sell marine products, marine chemicals, maritime logistics and ships agency. Additionally the group provides marine and non-marine insurance for internal and external clients.

Supply services

The supply services segment includes NorSea Group, WilNor Governmental Services and other supply service activities. The WW group owns ~75,2% of NorSea Group which provides supply bases and logistics to the offshore industry. Moreover, WilNor Governmental Services (WGS) provides military logistics services in Norway and internationally. In 2018 WGS provided host nation support to both Allied and Norwegian forces during the NATO exercise "Trident Juncture 18". In collaboration with the Norwegian Armed Forces, WGS developed a web-based ordering system named HOBS (short for Host Nation Support Order and Billing System). This technological innovation eased the process of ordering before and during as well as billing after the exercise to both participating and hosting nations. Wilhelmsen owns 51% of the company directly, with the remaining 49% owned through NorSea Group.

Accidents and casualties

During the early hours of 14 December 2002, MV Tricolor (ex Nosac Sun, built in 1987) was sailing from Zeebrugge, Belgium to Southampton, U.K., with a load of nearly 2871 brand new BMW, Volvo and SAAB automobiles. She collided in the English Channel with mv Kariba, a 1982 Bahamian-flagged container ship. Kariba was able to continue on, but Tricolor sank and required salvage by wreck cutting. No casualties occurred. [12]

In between end of 2018 and beginning of 2019, at least two operated vessels (MV Thalatta and MV Morning Composer) heading towards Australian ports, were stopped by the Australian authorities being suspected to carry cargo contaminated by the presence of the Brown marmorated stink bug. The vessels faced serious delays, and were asked to leave Australia territorial waters after a long wait at anchorage, [13] being finally denied to enter any port until new fumigation performed on all cargo.

List of current Wilhelmsen Lines ships

List of ships as of January 2011
NameTypeOperatorWW OwnershipBuiltFlag
MV Thermopylae Roll-on/roll-offWilh. Wilhelmsen Line100%2015Malta
MV Tønsberg Roll-on/roll-offWilh. Wilhelmsen Line100%2012Malta
LPGC Ayame Very large gas carrier Wilh. Wilhelmsen LineN/A2010Singapore
MV Tirranna Large Car/Truck CarrierWilh. Wilhelmsen Line100%2009Norway
MV Toscana Pure Car/Truck CarrierWilh. Wilhelmsen Line100%2009Norway
MV Torino Pure Car/Truck CarrierWilh. Wilhelmsen Line100%2009Norway
MV Tijuca Large Car/Truck CarrierWilh. Wilhelmsen Line100%2008Norway
MV Toreador Pure Car/Truck CarrierWilh. Wilhelmsen Line100%2008United Kingdom
MV Tomar Pure Car/Truck CarrierWilh. Wilhelmsen Line100%2008United Kingdom
MV Tarifa Pure Car/Truck CarrierWilh. Wilhelmsen LineLongterm T/C 2007Bahamas
MV Talia Pure Car/Truck CarrierWilh. Wilhelmsen LineLongterm T/C2006Bahamas
MV Taipan Pure Car/Truck CarrierWilh. Wilhelmsen LineLongterm T/C2006Bahamas
MV Morning Concert Pure Car/Truck CarrierEUKOR Car Carriers Inc.100%2006United Kingdom
MV Tombarra Pure Car/Truck CarrierWilh. Wilhelmsen LineLongterm B/B 2004United Kingdom
MV Toledo Pure Car/Truck CarrierWilh. Wilhelmsen LineLongterm B/B2004United Kingdom
MV Topeka Pure Car/Truck CarrierWilh. Wilhelmsen LineLongterm B/B2004United Kingdom
MV Tortugas Pure Car/Truck CarrierWilh. Wilhelmsen LineLongterm B/B2004United Kingdom
MV Torrens Pure Car/Truck CarrierWilh. Wilhelmsen LineLongterm B/B2004United Kingdom
MV Toronto Pure Car/Truck CarrierWilh. Wilhelmsen LineLongterm B/B2004United Kingdom
MV Tamerlane Roll-on/roll-offWilh. Wilhelmsen Line100%2001Norway
MV Talisman Roll-on/roll-offWilh. Wilhelmsen Line100%2000Norway
MV Tarago Roll-on/roll-offWilh. Wilhelmsen Line100%2000Norway
MV Tamesis Roll-on/roll-offWilh. Wilhelmsen Line100%2000Norway
MV Freedom Pure Car/Truck CarrierAmerican Roll-on/roll-off Carrier50%1997United States
MV Honor Pure Car/Truck CarrierAmerican Roll-on/roll-off Carrier50%1996United States
MV Endurance Roll-on/roll-offAmerican Roll-on/roll-off Carrier50%1996United States
MV Resolve Pure Car/Truck CarrierAmerican Roll-on/roll-off Carrier50%1994United States
MV Integrity Pure Car/Truck CarrierAmerican Roll-on/roll-off Carrier50%1992United States
MV Courage Pure Car/Truck CarrierAmerican Roll-on/roll-off Carrier50%1991United States
MV Patriot Pure Car/Truck CarrierAmerican Roll-on/roll-off Carrier50%1987United States
MV Tancred Pure Car/Truck CarrierEUKOR Car Carriers Inc.Longterm B/B1987Norway
MV Trianon Pure Car/Truck CarrierWilh. Wilhelmsen LineLongterm B/B1987Norway
MV Trinidad Pure Car/Truck CarrierWilh. Wilhelmsen Line100%1987Norway
MV Tai Shan Pure Car/Truck CarrierEUKOR Car Carriers Inc.Longterm B/B1986Norway
MV Takara Pure Car/Truck CarrierEUKOR Car Carriers Inc.Longterm B/B1986Norway
MV Tasco Pure Car/Truck CarrierWilh. Wilhelmsen Line100%1985Norway
MV Liberty Pure Car/Truck CarrierAmerican Roll-on/roll-off Carrier50%1985United States
MV Tagus Pure Car/Truck CarrierWilh. Wilhelmsen Line100%1985Norway
MV Tampa Roll-on/roll-offWilh. Wilhelmsen Line100%1984Norway
MV Taiko Roll-on/roll-offWilh. Wilhelmsen Line100%1984Norway
MV Texas Roll-on/roll-offWilh. Wilhelmsen Line100%1984Norway
MV Terrier Pure Car/Truck CarrierEUKOR Car Carriers Inc.100%1982Norway
MV Talabot Roll-on/roll-offWilh. Wilhelmsen Line50%1979Singapore
MV Tampere Roll-on/roll-offWilh. Wilhelmsen Line50%1979Singapore
MV Toba Roll-on/roll-offWilh. Wilhelmsen Line50%1979Singapore
MV Tapiola Roll-on/roll-offWilh. Wilhelmsen Line50%1979Singapore
MV Tourcoing Roll-on/roll-offWilh. Wilhelmsen Line1978Singapore
LPGC Lycaste Peace Very large gas carrier Wilh. Wilhelmsen LineN/A2004Panama
LPGC Lucina Providence Very large gas carrier Wilh. Wilhelmsen LineN/A2008Panama

See also

Related Research Articles

MV <i>Tampa</i> Container ship built in 1984

MV Tampa was a roll-on/roll-off container ship completed in 1984 by Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. in South Korea for the Norway-based firm, Wilhelmsen Lines Shipowning.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hyundai Glovis</span> South Korean shipping company

Hyundai Glovis Co., Ltd. is a logistics company headquartered in Seoul, South Korea and part of the Hyundai Motor Group. Its predecessor company, Hankook Logitech Co. Ltd was formed in February 2001. Hyundai Glovis supplies ocean transportation logistics advice, cargo space, loading/unloading, and packaging services. It changed its name to Hyundai Glovis in June 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roll-on/roll-off</span> Vessels designed to carry wheeled cargo that are driven on and off the ship on their own wheels

Roll-on/roll-off ships are cargo ships designed to carry wheeled cargo, such as cars, motorcycles, trucks, semi-trailer trucks, buses, trailers, and railroad cars, that are driven on and off the ship on their own wheels or using a platform vehicle, such as a self-propelled modular transporter. This is in contrast to lift-on/lift-off (LoLo) vessels, which use a crane to load and unload cargo.

MV Tricolor was a 50,000 tonne Norwegian-flagged vehicle carrier built in 1987, notable for having been involved in three English Channel collisions within a fortnight.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wallenius Lines</span> Swedish shipping company

Wallenius Lines is a privately owned Swedish shipping company. The company was founded in 1934 by Olof Wallenius. Wallenius Lines is an investor and active owner within the global shipping industry, specifically the international car and roll-on/roll-off segment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics</span> Norwegian/Swedish shipping company

Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics was a privately owned Norwegian/Swedish shipping company, established in 1999 and co-owned by the two shipping companies Wallenius Lines and Wilh. Wilhelmsen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wallenius Wilhelmsen</span> Shipping and logistics company

Wallenius Wilhelmsen is a Sweden/Norway-based global RoRo shipping and vehicle logistics company, managing the distribution of cars, trucks, rolling equipment, Mafi trailers and breakbulk globally.

MV <i>Taiko</i> Ship

MV Taiko was a roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) freighter managed by the Norwegian-Swedish shipping line Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics. She was built as Barber Hector by Hyundai Heavy Industries at Ulsan, South Korea in 1984 for Blue Funnel Line, part of the Liverpool company Ocean Transport & Trading Ltd, and was Blue Funnel's last newbuilding. She was deployed on Barber Blue Sea Line, a joint venture between Blue Funnel, Wilh. Wilhelmsen, Oslo and the Broström Group of Sweden. In 1988 Ocean withdrew from Barber Blue Sea line and Barber Hector was sold to the Swedish partner, chartered to Wilhelmsen and renamed Taiko. Wilhelmsen purchased the vessel in 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leif Höegh & Co</span> Shipping company

Leif Höegh & Co is a shipping company founded in 1927 by Norwegian Leif Høegh (1896-1974). Since 2006 the company has been structured as two separate entities, Höegh Autoliners and Höegh LNG, with Leif Höegh & Co acting as a common holding company.

MV <i>Faust</i>

M/V ARC Independence, formerly M/V Faust is a large ro-ro car carrier built in 2007 by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering for Wallenius Lines AB, Sweden. It is currently operated by American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier (ARC), having formerly served with Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics. It is one of the largest car carriers in the world.

MV <i>Tønsberg</i> Ro/ro ship

MV Tønsberg is a roll-on/roll-off ship owned by Wilh. Wilhelmsen. As of 2012 it is the largest RORO ship in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Margit Johnsen</span>

Margit Johnsen Godø,, nicknamed Malta-Margit, was a Norwegian sailor in the merchant navy. For her service on a merchant vessel in convoy to Malta in 1942 she was awarded the St. Olav's Medal with Oak Branch and several other gallantry decorations. Johnsen continued her work in the Norwegian merchant fleet until 1960. Her story is told in maritime and wartime history as an example of Norwegian women's effort during World War II.

Cecilie Paus, née Wilhelmsen, is a Norwegian businesswoman in the shipping industry, who lives in London. She has been one of the four main owners of the shipping company Wilh. Wilhelmsen since 1978 together with her three siblings. She is a daughter of the shipping magnate Tom Wilhelmsen and is married to the businessman Christopher Paus. She is the mother of four children, among them daughters Olympia and Pontine Paus, a noted designer.

Thomas Wilhelmsen was a Norwegian shipping magnate and the main owner of Norway's largest shipping company, Wilh. Wilhelmsen. He was also a noted philanthropist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United European Car Carriers</span> Shipping company

United European Car Carriers (UECC) is a Norwegian roll-on/roll-off shipping line, created in 1990 and based in Oslo, Norway. The company primarily transports cargo on short sea routes within Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">EUKOR</span> Shipping company

EUKOR is a South Korean specialised Roll-on/roll-off shipping line. The company's main business is the sea carriage of new and used cars and High & Heavy cargo. The name of the brand EUKOR comes from a portmanteau that combines the words "Europe & Korea".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">American Roll-on Roll-off Carrier</span> American shipping line

American Roll-on Roll-off Carrier is an American shipping line specialized in Roll-on/roll-off worldwide sea carriage, integrated global logistics, and data technology solutions.

Oceanbird Concept for wind-powered cargo vessels

Oceanbird is a concept for wind-powered cargo vessels under development by Wallenius Marine. The concept aims to lower emissions by up to 90 percent and the design was developed in collaboration with KTH Royal Institute of Technology and Swedish maritime technology company SSPA. Financial backing for the development was provided by the Swedish Transport Agency. In 2021, Wallenius announced a partnership with Swedish heavy industry company Alfa Laval to further develop the concept's wingsail design.

Wallenius Marine is a ship design and ship management company in Sweden. Headquartered in Stockholm, the company has additional offices in Singapore and employs some 800 people.

References

Notes

  1. ↑ "Wilh. Wilhelmsen – restructuring for future growth". wilhelmsen.com. 15 March 2010. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  2. ↑ Cecilie Paus in Kapital
  3. ↑ Shaping the Maritime Industry
  4. ↑ Dagens Næringsliv , 17 September 2009
  5. ↑ "Norwegian American Line - NAL | Marine Money Offshore". Archived from the original on 22 August 2017.
  6. ↑ "Wilhelmsen – Store norske leksikon". snl.no (in Norwegian). 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  7. ↑ Alexander Nix' norske kone er rederarving, Dagbladet
  8. ↑ "Entire Management Team Killed: A CEO's Turnaround Story". 28 March 2012.
  9. ↑ "Wallenius Lines and Wilh. Wilhelmsen acquire Hyundai Merchant Marine's car carrier division for US$1.3 billion".
  10. ↑ "Wilhelmsen new ro-ro is biggest ever". The Motorship. 28 May 2011. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
  11. ↑ Careers at Wilhelmsen
  12. ↑ "Tricolor wreck removal contract signed today". www.wilhelmsen.com. Archived from the original on 13 September 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  13. ↑ "HOT PORT NEWS from GAC | Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide".

Bibliography

  • Bakka, Dag (1995). Speed & Service: Wilhelmsens's First Century in Australia. Sydney: Maritime Heritage Press. ISBN   1876059001.
  • Bland, A L; Crowdy, Michael; Syse, J P (1961). Wilh. Wilhelmsen, 1861-1961: the firm and the fleet. Kendal, England: World Ship Society. OCLC   12565838.
  • Kolltveit, Bård; Crowdy, Michael; Bangsmoen, Hans Christian; Kjaervik, Per H (1994). Wilh. Wilhelmsen, 1861-1994. Kendal, England: World Ship Society. ISBN   0905617738.
  • Kolltveit, Bård; Bangsmoen, Hans Christian (2011). Wilh. Wilhelmsen 150 years: 1861-2011: History and Stories. Lysaker, Norway: Dinamo Forlag/Wilh. Wilhelmsen. ISBN   9788280712431.
  • Syse, J.P.; Howells, Astri; Crowdy, Michael (1978). Wilh. Wilhelmsen, 1861-1977: a brief history: a fleet list. Kendal, England: World Ship Society. ISBN   0905617053.
  • Wilh. Wilhelmsen, 1861-1961: A Short History of 100 Years' Activity. Oslo: Wilh. Wilhelmsen. 1961. OCLC   2622667.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.