Our history

Close to 100 years of industrial shipping.

For over 100 years Wilson has provided efficient and flexible sea transport for Europe's mining and manufacturing industries.
  1. [01]1929
    • Kristian Jebsens Rederi founded by Kristian Jebsen.
  2. [02]1942
    • Paal Wilson & Co AS established.
  3. [03]1957
    • Start-up of the liner traffic between Norwegian ports and the Continent, marketed as the Norway-Rhine Line (NRL).
  4. [04]1992
    • Wilson and the North Sea part of Jebsen's establish a mutual market system through the 50/50 owned Jebsen Wilson EuroCarriers.
  5. [05]1995
    • Kristian Eidesvik became a partner in Paal Wilson & Co and bought 50 % of the company.
  6. [06]1997
    • Jebsen's shares in the parent company of Jebsen's bought by Wilson.
  7. [07]1999
    • Established Euro Container Line AS, a 50/50 joint venture with Eimskip.
  8. [08]2000
    • Wilson Holding AS founded.
    • Bought 51 % of NRL Transport Duisburg.
    • Bought Bergen Shipping Chartering AS. Chartering and operation of self-discharging bulk vessels.
  9. [09]2004
    • Wilson Crewing Agency Ltd. in Arkhangelsk was established.
  10. [10]2005
    • Kristian Eidesvik carried through an initial public offer and listing under the name Wilson ASA. March 17th Wilson ASA was listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange.
  11. [11]2006
    • In August 2006, Wilson established its own office in Rotterdam, Wilson Agency B.V. to serve all ports in the Netherlands and Belgium.
    • Wilson bought the first share of the Icelandic agency Nesskip and the transaction of all shares was completed in 2012. Wilson has had a working relationship with Nesskip since 1977 when the first Nesskip vessel joined the Wilson fleet.
  12. [12]2007
    • Established Wilson Crewing Agency in Odessa.
    • The rest of the shares in NRL Transport Duisburg was bought and the company changed name to Wilson NRL Transport GmbH.
  13. [13]2008
    • Wilson purchased 50 % of the shares in Euro Container Line AS from Eimskip, and became 100 % owners of Euro Container Line AS.
  14. [14]2010
    • Established Wilson Agency Norge AS in Stavanger. Office has since relocated to Bergen (in 2018).
  15. [15]2014
    • NRL Transport GmbH becomes part of a 50/50 joint venture between Wilson and Haeger & Schmidt Logistics, establishing HSW Logistics GmbH in Duisburg.
  16. [16]2016
    • Established branch office in Amsterdam.
    • Wilson decided to focus on the bulk business and sold the business operation of Euro Container Line AS to Samskip.
  17. [17]2020
    • Wilson enters into agreement with Arkon Shipping to strengthen European presence.
    • Wilson Agency Norge AS sets up branch office in Mo i Rana.
  18. [18]2021
    • Wilson achieved the best result historically. 2021 was an extraordinary year with covid-19, Brexit and more. The market proved to be very strong with high demand and few logistics challenges.
    • Wilson launched its new profile and website.
    • Wilson acquires four vessels and contract portfolio from Rhenus Maritime Services (RMS), in addition to short-term lease of four to six general cargo vessels.
  19. [19]2022
    • Wilson took over Wilson Flex I in June. Wilson Flex I is the first vessel in the series of total 5 vessels.
    • Eivind Eidesvik was announced as the new Chairman of the Board.
    • Wilson moved into new office at Damsgårdsveien 135.
  20. [20]2023
    • Wilson places an order for up to 14 newbuildings.
    • Established office in Poland.
  21. [21]2024
    • Entered into crewing agreement with Energios Maritime Inc in the Philippines.