Maritime traditions go a long way back in our local history.  Ever since the days of the Vikings ships have traded, sailors have been recruited and ships have been built and managed in the area of Bergshav's premises in Hasseldalen just outside of the city of Grimstad in the southern part of Norway.

The family's involvement in shipping dates back to 1772 when the sailing ship "Fortuna" was acquired.  In modern times, Mr. J.M. Ugland, grandfather of the present Bergshav owner, established himself in 1930 as a shipowner through the acquisition of a steam tanker from Anglo Saxon Petroleum Co. By such acquisition, AS Uglands Rederi was founded.

Throughout the next 60 years, the company prospered considerably and by the end of the 1980's owned a sizeable fleet of car carriers, tankers, bulk carriers, specialized offshore loading vessels as well as a repair yard.

In 1989, Bergshav Management AS was formed through a de-merger of AS Uglands Rederi. Along with the changes in international shipping, the fleet has varied considerably both in number and in tonnes deadweight and has ranged from small product tankers to VLCC size.  

In 1991 the Company expanded its activities by offering management services to external shipping companies.  The first venture was taking over the management functions for 15 vessels (VLCC, Suezmax, and handysize dry bulk vessels) from the Oslo-based company Norman International A/S. Furthermore, in 1992 Bergshav took over the Nortank Carrier pool, a chartering and operating pool of handysize product tankers.  Members of the pool included I.M. Skaugen and Mitsui & Co. Bergshav Management was also entrusted with the technical management of some of the vessels.  

At present the fleet under management includes crude oil carriers, shuttle tankers, product/chemical vessels, container vessels, car carriers and a cruise vessel.  Today's Bergshav Management resides close to the site where the family has been conducting their shipping activities for generations.  

The management team of the company has been recruited and developed along with the fleet and activities.  However, the long-term aspect has been maintained as some employees have experience within the group for more than 30 years.  The total experience enables Bergshav to undertake projects and pursue business opportunities in most fields of maritime operation.  
The qualified and experienced management combined with a sound financial basis allows the company to develop business opportunities in a professional and reliable way.  We are in a position to offer the expertise and experience of a large organization in combination with the personal follow-up and flexibility, which are the features of a smaller company.