Wilh. Wilhelmsen group CEO, Thomas Wilhelmsen; Head of Norwegian Defence Logistics Organisation, Petter Jansen; Wilh. Wilhelmsen group CFO, Nils P Dyvik.
Photo courtesy: Norwegian defence

The WW group has entered into a seven-year strategic support agreement with the Norwegian Armed Forces, which includes logistic services to the Norwegian Home Guard and support to allied forces in Norway during peace, crisis and war.

"We see it as our obligation to contribute with our resources to ensure Norway has an efficient level of preparedness should a military response to an incident be needed," says Thomas Wilhelmsen, group CEO in the Wilh. Wilhelmsen group.

"We have a long tradition of supporting the Norwegian government and our allies in handling incidents dating back to the second world war and Nortraship," says Wilhelmsen. "During the war, we transported troops and equipment around the world, including the Pacific. More recently we have supported the US government with shipping and logistics services related to their foreign engagements, assisted KNM Fridtjof Nansen on an assignment in the Gulf of Aden and our ro-ro carrier MV Taiko assisted the UN led operation to remove chemical weapons from Syria."

To make the cooperation as efficient as possible, WW and NorSea Group (owned 40% by WW and 28% by Eidesvik Eiendomsinvest AS and Simon Møkster Eiendom AS respectively) have established a joint venture tailor-made for the Armed Forces' needs: "Establishing a single point of contact is a new business model for us," says Wilhelmsen. "This will make it easier and more efficient for the Armed Forces, as we will coordinate all the products and services they require ranging from advanced logistics services, maritime services and sea transportation needs."

"Our ability to deliver efficient support to our allies is undoubtedly of high importance as part of our ability to defend Norway, should such a need arise. Over the past few decades, we have reduced our own resources. A cooperation with the Wilh. Wilhelmsen group and NorSea group will give us the competence and resources necessary to maintain a high level of preparedness, quick reactivity and not least greater endurance," says Haakon Bruun-Hanssen, chief of the Norwegian Defence.

With nine strategically located supply bases along the Norwegian coast, NorSea Group has extensive experience from delivering advanced supply and logistics services to offshore companies. "We tested this new concept during last year's Cold Response exercise," says John Stangeland, CEO at NorSea Group, "and we are really looking forward to working closer in the years to come, supporting the Armed Forces in their preparations for and defence of Norway."


(Photo courtesy: Norwegian defence)


For further information, contact
Benedicte Teigen Gude, GVP corporate communications, Wilh. Wilhelmsen group
+47 959 07 951

Lars Haug, COO, NorSea Group
+47 913 76 769

Simen Rudi, communication advisor, Norwegian Defence Logistics Organisation
+ 47 959 05 875

About Wilh. Wilhelmsen:

Wilh. Wilhelmsen Holding ASA is a global maritime industry group focusing on shipping and integrated logistics services for cars and rolling cargo through its shareholding in Wilh. Wilhelmsen ASA. The group occupies a leading position in the global maritime service industry through Wilhelmsen Maritime Services AS, delivering products and services to some 200 shipyards and 24 000 vessels annually. Through Wilh. Wilhelmsen Holding Invest AS the group aims at exploring and developing new opportunities within the energy-, offshore- and maritime industry. For more information, visitwww.wilhelmsen.com.

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For more information about the NorSea Group, please visit www.norseagroup.com or www.mil.no for information about the Norwegian Armed Forces.
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