History

The Utkilen family has its roots in Kilstraum, located in the municipality of Austrheim, situated at the seaside about one hour drive north of Bergen. The sea was, and still is, important to the people in this community. The sea was previously the most important means of communication for this district, fisheries played an important role as well as transportation of various goods along the coast.

In a way the history of the company goes back to 1916, when the father of Anders Utkilen bought a small freight vessel called “Alstein”. His sons, among them Anders, worked onboard this vessel and learned their skills the hard way. Anders Utkilen, in fact, became a captain onboard “Alstein” at the age of 17.

At the age of 23 he bought a share of 1/3 of “Alstein”. In 1930 Anders and his brothers bought an old sailing ship which was completely rebuilt to a motor ship and used for transportation of living fish as well as other goods. Anders had undoubtedly a technical talent and was very inventive in many ways as far as technical solutions onboard the ships were concerned.

Anders and his brothers engaged in the transportation of goods, mainly on the Norwegian coast, as well as fisheries (trawling) until the early 1950s. In 1945 the administration of the company was moved to Bergen. Anders and his brothers bought and sold smaller ships over the years and managed to build up equity in their jointly owned company (Brødrene Utkilen). In 1958 and 1962 Anders’ two brothers left the company, and in 1962 the company changed name to Anders Utkilens Rederi. In 1967 the company was established as a stockholding company, Anders Utkilens Rederi AS (now Utkilen AS). At this time the present owner, Ove Utkilen, joined the company.

In the latter half of the sixties the company started its specialization towards operation of small tankers. As early as back in 1946 Brødrene Utkilen bought their first small tank vessel, “Empire Cricketer”, which was renamed “Havstraum”. This vessel was on timecharter to Norske Fina for 7 years and thereafter to Norske Esso for 12 years. Consequently, the company has long experience operating tanker vessels.

In 1970 the company took delivery of its first small tank newbuilding from a Norwegian yard. The vessel was about 820 dwt. and was given the name “Fostraum”. This vessel was sold some 20 years later and taken back on a timecharter.
At the end of 1973 the company bought a Danish built small tanker (built 1969) which was named “Havstraum”. This vessel was delivered to the company early 1974, and at that time Anders Utkilens Rederi owned altogether three small tankers (“Solstraum” abt. 730 dwt., “Fostraum” abt. 820 dwt. and “Havstraum” abt. 1 320 dwt.). At the end of the 1980s “Havstraum” was sold and taken back on timecharter.

The company was able to operate profitably and in this way build up a healthy financial position. In December 1979 a milestone was reached. The company took delivery of a newbuilding of 2 500 dwt. built at Bolsoenes yard in Molde. This was probably the most modern and well equipped small tank vessel at that time. She had double bottom and deep-well pumps in all her cargo tanks. In 1980 and 1981 the company took delivery of two more vessels from the same yard. These vessels were named “Saltstraum” and “Sydstraum” and were in fact basically sister vessels to “Golfstraum” apart from one feature which appeared to have a crucial effect on the later development of the company; namely the fact that these ships had stainless steel center tanks and thus were able to carry high grade chemical (IMO 2) cargoes as well as acid products.

In 1982 the company started transportation of calcium carbonate slurry from Elnesvaagen on the west coast of Norway (close to the city of Molde). In order to carry this product it was absolutely essential to have vessels with stainless steel cargo tanks, not because it was a dangerous cargo, but due to the fact that the cargo, which is used by the paper industry, is very easily contaminated. The only cargo tanks which provide a sufficiently clean environment for transportation are in fact stainless steel cargo tanks. The volumes of calcium carbonate slurry increased significantly. Parallel to this development Utkilen managed to build up a portfolio of transportation contracts (“Contracts of Affreightment”).

In 1985 the company took delivery of “Nordstraum”. This ship, which had a deadweight of about 4 700 dwt., had double skin, double bottom and all the cargo tanks were made of stainless steel. This ship was in fact the first of a series of many newbuildings coming from Aukra Industrier AS, a relatively small, but high quality shipyard located in the vicinity of Molde. The yard is now owned by STX yards and has so far delivered a total of 11 chemical tankers to Anders Utkilens Rederi.

The yard, now owned by STX yards, has delivered a total of 11 chemical tankers to Anders Utkilens Rederi. These tankers include Kilstraum (abt. 4,700 dwt / 1988), Solstraum (abt. 6,500 dwt / 1990), Listraum (abt. 6,500 dwt / 1991), Havstraum (abt. 8,000 dwt / 1991), Bergstraum (abt. 9,500 dwt / 1996), Christina (abt. 9,500 dwt / 1996), Doris (abt. 16,000 dwt / 1998), Finnstraum (abt. 16,000 dwt / 1999), Latana (abt. 16,000 dwt / 2000), and Xanthia (abt. 17,000 dwt / 2003).

In December 1991 the company took delivery of “Fostraum”, a fully stainless steel tanker of about 3 000 dwt. to enter a long term timecharter to Dow Chemicals. It was built at Baatservice shipyard in Mandal.

In addition, the company has bought some chemical tankers second hand. In 1994 and 1995, respectively, the company bought two sister vessels today named “Mostraum” and “Vikstraum”. These ships are built in Swedish, and like most of the vessels owned and operated by Utkilen, have highest ice class, making them suitable for trading in The Baltic waters. In 1996 the company bought a 4 700 dwt. Danish built vessel today named “Sundstraum” and in 2008 Utkilen aqcuired the two 5 800 dwt sistervessels “Fjordstraum” and “Fjellstraum”.

In 2006 the company entered into newbuilding contracts for five advanced chemical tankers all with stainless steel cargo tanks. Three 9 500 dwt. chemical tankers were ordered at the DePoli yard in Italy and two 19 500 dwt. chemical tankers were ordered in China at the Qingshan yard in Wuhan. Early 2009 the contracts at the DePoli yard was cancelled due to financial difficulties at the shipyard. Two of the three hulls were reacquired late 2009 and completed at the 3MAJ shipyard in Croatia in November 2011 and March 2012. The Qingshan newbuildings were delivered in May 2009 and January 2010.

Most of the vessels contracted were delivered to single purpose companies in which Utkilen had substantial parts as well as being disponent owner. This was necessary to raise the equity and loan financing required to make this big expansion possible. Today most of the ships are either fully owned or majority owned by Utkilen.

In March 2007 the company changed its name from Anders Utkilens Rederi AS to Utkilen AS.

Today Utkilen owns and operates, in part or wholly, more than 16 modern chemical tankers altogether, ranging from around 5 000 dwt to 17 000 dwt., which makes the company one of the major operators in this market segment in Northern Europe. This remarkable development is rooted on the seamanship of Anders Utkilen and his people, on hard work and a skilled organization.

Milestones

The six deep-sea vessels M/T Straum, M/T Susana S and the four Stream vessels were sold and delivered to their new owners. The sales contributed with a strong sales gain and substation liquidity contribution in 2023.
2023
The four newest AVIC vessels delivered in 2019 and 2020 will become even more eco-friendly when they are prepared for LNG fuel during 2023/24.
2022
Newbuilding contracts for four advanced eco-design ice-class 6,700 dwt. chemical tankers were entered into with Icdas Shipyard in Turkey with deliveries in 2024 and 2025.
2022
Utkilen has been awarded EcoVadis Gold medal in recognition of its sustainability achievements!
2022
M/T Sydstraum delivered. The last of the four highly advanced and environmentally friendly 10,500 dwt. newbuildings with stainless steel cargo tanks was delivered today 6th of August 2020
2020
The fleet renewal program was completed. Three of the oldest vessels were sold and the last two of the four AVIC newbuildings were delivered when M/T Saltstraum and M/T Sydstraum entered the fleet.
2020
M/T Mostraum and M/T Vikstraum, the two first in a series of four advanced eco-friendly chemical tankers for our Northern European trade was delivered from AVIC Dingheng in China.
2019
The 20,000 dwt. vessels Stream Atlantic, Stream Baltic and Stream Pacific were delivered from Fukuoka Shipbuilding.
2019
The first Fukuoka newbuilding, Stream Atctic, was delivered.
2018
Newbuilding contracts for four advanced eco-design ice-class 9,900 dwt. chemical tankers were entered into with AVIC Dingheng Shipyard in China with deliveries in 2019 and 2020.
2017
Acquired the 8 400 dwt. chemical tanker ``Nordstraum `` (ex. ``Harbour Muran``) built in 2012.
2015
Acquired the 6 000 dwt. chemical tanker ``Kilstraum `` (ex. ``Bow Pilot``) built in 1999.
2015
Four 20,000 dwt newbuildings were ordered at Fukuoka Shipbuilding in Japan with deliveries in 2018 and 2019.
2015
``Stream Mia``, ``Stream Luna`` and the eight newbuilding contracts at Fukuoka Shipbuilding was sold to BW Tankers Limited in Singapore.
2014
The order for newbuilding contracts with Fukuoka Shipbuilding was increased to eight advanced eco-design chemical tankers.
2014
Newbuilding contracts was entered into with Fukuoka Shipbuilding in Japan for up to five advanced eco-design 20.000 dwt. chemical tankers with stainless steel cargo tanks.
2013
``Rystraum`` delivered (the second of two 9 000 dwt. sister vessels from 3MAJ Shipyard in Croatia).
2012
``Stream Mia`` built 2008 and ``Stream Luna`` built 2010 (both about 19.900 dwt.) were acquired and chartered out to one of the major global chemical tanker operator.
2011
``Golfstraum`` delivered (the first of two 9 000 dwt. sister vessels from 3MAJ Shipyard in Croatia).
2011
``Straum`` delivered (the second of two 19 500 dwt. sister vessels from Qingshan Shipyard in China).
2010
``Susana S`` delivered (the first of two 19 500 dwt. sister vessels from Qingshan Shipyard in China).
2009
Cancelled the three DePoli newbuildings due to financial difficulties at the shipyard. Two of the hulls reacquired late 2009 for completion at the 3MAJ shipyard in Croatia.
2009
Sold ChemTrans Shipping AG in Switzerland.
2008
Acquired the two 5 870 dwt. chemical tankers ``Fjordstraum`` (ex. ``Bow Bahia``) and ``Fjellstraum`` (ex. ``Multitank Bolognia``) built in 1996 and 1997.
2008
Anders Utkilens Rederi AS changes its name to Utkilen AS.
2007
Contracts entered into for two 20 000 dwt. chemical tanker newbuildings from the Qingshan yard in Wuhan, China. The ships will be delivered in 2008 and 2009.
2006
Three 9 500 dwt. newbuildings contracted with the DePoli yard in Italy with deliveries in 2008 and 2009.
2006
Acquired 90% of ChemTrans Shipping AG in Switzerland (operating five chemical tankers).
2003
``Xanthia`` delivered (the last of the series of four sister vessels around 16-17 000 dwt).
2003
``Latana`` delivered (sistervessel to ``Finnstraum``).
2000
``Finnstraum`` delivered (sistervessel to ``Doris``).
1999
The first of a series of three 16 000 dwt chemical tankers delivered by Aukra. Named ``Doris``.
1998
The newbuildings ``Bergstraum`` and ``Christina`` (sister vessels) delivered by Aukra. A 4 700 dwt chemical tanker bought from Danish owners and named ``Sundstraum``.
1996
``Vikstraum`` bought (sister vessel to ``Mostraum``).
1995
``Mostraum`` bought (abt. 8 700 dwt.)
1994
``Fostraum``, a 3 000 dwt. fully stainless steel chemical tanker delivered by Baatservice shipyard in Mandal.
1992
``Listraum`` (sister vessel to ``Solstraum``) and ``Havstraum`` (a lengthened version of ``Solstraum and ``Listraum``) delivered by Aukra.
1991
``Solstraum`` delivered by Aukra - about 6 500 dwt.
1990
The sister vessel to ``Nordstraum`` is delivered. She is named ``Kilstraum`` and is built to highest ice class.
1988
The first ship delivered by Aukra Industrier AS. The vessel is a fully stainless steel vessel of about 4 700 dwt. and is named ``Nordstraum``.
1985
``Sydstraum`` delivered - sister vessel to ``Saltstraum``
1981
The first stainless steel chemical tanker is delivered to a partnership company (in which Anders Utkilens Rederi AS has a majority part). The vessel is named ``Saltstraum`` and is about 2 500 dwt.
1980
The first of a series of three vessel delivered to a partnership company. The vessel is named ``Golfstraum`` and is about 2 500 dwt.
1979
Buys ``Amalienborg`` from Danish owners, renamed ``Havstraum``.
1974
The smalltanker ``Fostraum`` delivered to the company.
1970
The company becomes a shareholding company: Anders Utkilens Rederi AS. The Board of Directors are Anders and his son Ove (the present owner).
1967
Hans Utkilen leaves the company to start his own company. The company changes name to Anders Utkilens Rederi.
1962
Alf Utkilen leaves the company (Brødrene Utkilen) to start his own business.
1958
Brødrene Utkilen takes delivery of ``Golfstraum``, probably the most modern and well equipped fishing vessel at the time.
1957
``Alstein`` sold after having been owned by the family for 37 years.
1952
``Kilstraum`` (with Anders' brother Alf as captain) engages in a dangerous salvaging operation of a Norwegian fishing vessel and saves seven of the crew members.
1951
The company Skips A/S Straumfart established. Buys ``Gerdhild``, a 1 600 dwt. steamship. Converted to a motor vessel and renamed ``Fostraum``(1951).
1950
Brødrene Utkilen buys their first tanker vessel ``Havstraum``. Trading for Norske Shell for the first 7 years, thereafter for Norske Esso for 12 years.
1946
Brødrene Utkilen have three small ships; ``Alstein``, ``Finnaas`` and ``Kilstraum``. The company moves its administration to Bergen.
1945
The Second World War comes to Norway. The next five years becomes a major setback for the Norwegian shipping industry - thousands of Norwegian sailors and a big part of the Norwegian trading fleet is lost.
1940
The first shareholding company called A/S Straum is established (still exists) with a share capital of NOK 10 000.
1939
Brødrene Utkilen buys the steam ship ``La Seine`` (converted to a motor ship) and names it ``Straum``.
1938
Brødrene Utkilen buys ``Nornen`` (a sailing ship converted successfully to a motor ship). The vessel is used for transportation of living fish.
1931
Anders becomes captain onboard ``Alstein`` (at the age of 17) and later buys 1/3 of the vessel
1923
Ananias (the father of Anders) Utkilen buys ``Alstein``, a motor vessel of abt. 50 dwt.
1916