GAC Norway and Norships enter into new partnership in Kristiansand

Bergen, 11.06.2025 – GAC Norway AS and Norships AS announce today a new partnership to strengthen their service offering in the Kristiansand region. 

With this new collaboration, GAC Norway and Norships will combine their core competencies to offer integrated shipping, logistics, and maritime services in Kristiansand and the surrounding area. The companies will coordinate resources and expertise to alternate between being the main or subcontractor in various projects, based on what best serves the customer.  

Kristiansand Port has a strategic location that makes it a key hub for sea transport between Norway, Europe, and the rest of the world. The port is often referred to as “The Gateway to Europe” and constitutes a critical part of the transport infrastructure – approximately 90% of all goods to Norway are transported by sea. 

GAC Norway recognizes Kristiansand Port as a forward-leaning port with a strong commercial mindset to put the customer first, making it a natural partner to strengthen presence in the region and deliver top-tier services to local and international clients. 

The collaboration enables the delivery of a more complete and coordinated service chain for maritime and logistics needs in the region. Norships contributes with strong local presence and specialized expertise in areas such as marine warranty surveys, risk assessments, workboat assistance, and technical port support. Combined with GAC Norway’s extensive agency & logistics network and experience with international operations, customers will now have one joint provider for both practical and strategic support – from mooring and crew changes to heavy lifting and complex transport projects. 

Both GAC Norway and Norships place strong emphasis on quality, safety, and flexibility in their deliveries. Norships, certified ISO 9001:2015 (quality), operates as an independent third-party marine consultancy and survey organization. GAC Norway, certified to ISO 9001:2015 (quality) and ISO 45001:2018 (health and safety), brings extensive experience as a leading ship agent and logistics provider, ensuring seamless project execution. Together, they deliver more sustainable and efficient services for customers operating in and around Kristiansand Port. 

–  When an international company like GAC Norway chooses to establish a presence in Kristiansand through a partnership with local player Norships, it demonstrates how strong collaborations help position the port as a catalyst for forward-looking maritime development. We welcome companies that recognize Kristiansand as an international hub for sustainable solutions – and that contribute to a more efficient and innovative port offering for users locally and globally, says Isabelle-Louise Aabel, Head of Communications at Kristiansand Port. 

By joining forces in Kristiansand, GAC Norway and Norships are better equipped to support the growing activity in the port and the region’s business sector. Both companies emphasize that customers will benefit from faster response times, improved service, and a broader offering of tailored logistics and maritime solutions locally. 

– With this partnership, we strengthen our joint presence and service capacity in Southern Norway and can offer customers an even wider range of services, says Mikael Rødseth, General Manager at GAC Norway. – Norships' local knowledge and marine specialist services complement GAC’s broad shipping and logistics offering in an excellent way. Together, we can ensure effective follow-up for shipping companies and businesses operating via Kristiansand. 

– The collaboration with Norships enables GAC Norway to offer customers a more complete solution and greater local presence, says Ahmet Øzsoy, Managing Director at GAC Norway. – By combining our global logistics and ship agency expertise with Norship’s strong local presence and maritime competence, we are able to deliver even more efficient and tailored services together.  This partnership benefits our customers and strengthens the overall offering in Kristiansand Port.  

–  This cooperation marks an important step towards delivering more comprehensive, efficient, and trusted maritime services within our region. By combining expertise from one of the world’s largest providers of ship agency with assistance from local marine consultancy, survey, and service company, we will reduce the response time and cost for the ship owners. This will strengthen our commitment to safety and lead to a potential increase in the number of vessels coming to our district, says Tor Boije, Managing Director at Norships AS. 

About GAC Norway 

GAC Norway AS is the country’s oldest ship agent and a leading provider of integrated shipping and logistics services. The company was established in 2007 when the GAC Group acquired Ole R. Olsen AS, Norway’s oldest ship agency, founded in 1835, to form GAC Norway. Today, GAC Norway has a strategic network of offices along the entire Norwegian coast, from Kirkenes in the north to Fredrikstad in the southeast and currently has around 90 permanent employees. Every year, GAC Norway handles more than 3,500 port calls and 20,000 shipments for its customers. The company serves all Norwegian oil and gas terminals, the largest offshore ports, and all major cruise ports, with a strong focus on quality, safety, and availability in every step. 

About Norships 

Norships AS is an independent maritime consultancy and inspection company headquartered in Kristiansand, established in 2017. The company operates as a third-party provider within the shipping and offshore sectors and offers services such as marine warranty surveys, owner representation, condition assessments, risk evaluations, Inventory of Hazardous Materials, loss prevention activities (Gas & VOC courses) and independent verification of critical operations in cargo handling. Norships also assists with practical port support and technical services, including through a workboat stationed in Kristiansand Port for assignments such as towing, mooring, provisioning, and crew changes. The company’s broad experience and expertise enable the delivery of cost-effective and safe solutions.