Our History

Hagland originated in 1872, when Rasmus Gautsen Hagland (1841-1927) entered the shipping business.

As no registration were required for running a business until 1874, it is not known which came first, the shipowner or the shipbroker, but it is clear that some of Hagland’s first investments were in the brigantine “Vingolf” and the galleon “Snæfrid”, both in 1872.

The first office of R.G. Hagland was located in two boathouses along Smedasundet in Haugesund, and the company’s various locations have been in the same vicinity ever since. As was common at the time, the house was also Hagland’s home.

On 23 May, 1927, Rasmus Gautsen Hagland and Arne Wendelbo Aanensen converted their partnership into a limited liability company (“AS”). Out of the 10 shares issued, Rasmus G. Hagland received five shares, with the remaining to Arne W. Aanensen receiving four shares for himself and one share for his 10-year old son, Øivind W. Aanensen. The articles of association stated that existing shareholders would have first right of refusal over the company’s shares. It was also stated that Hagland would be chairman of the board, and that Arne W. Aanensen should receive 10 per cent of net profits before the remaining would be distributed evenly among the shareholders – but only after necessary provisions had been made. Rasmus Gautsen Hagland passed away only weeks later, and his shares were taken over by the Aanensen family as agreed. Today, the shares are owned by Arne W. Aanensen senior’s grandsons, brothers Arne (born 1949) and Knut W. Aanensen (born 1950).

In 1911, Arne Wendelbo Aanensen (1889-1979) became Hagland’s business partner, and would later take over the company. On 4 October, Hagland wrote a letter to Aanensen, who was living in Bergen at the time, outlining what they had agreed in terms of responsibilities, tasks, and earnings.

It is perhaps interesting to note that the contents of the letter was only briefly focused on the terms of the agreement, and focusing more on Hagland’s expectations concerning flexibility towards clients and business manners. Furthermore, the last half of the letter focused entirely on the business opportunities for Aanensen to pursue while in Bergen.

Arne Wendelbo Aanensen was born in Visnes on Karmøy outside Haugesund, were his father Dagfin worked as a teacher when Visnes was the site of one of the most active Norwegian copper mines.

On 23 May, 1927, Rasmus Gautsen Hagland and Arne Wendelbo Aanensen converted their partnership into a limited liability company (“AS”).

Out of the 10 shares issued, Rasmus G. Hagland received five shares, with the remaining to Arne W. Aanensen receiving four shares for himself and one share for his 10-year old son, Øivind W. Aanensen. The articles of association stated that existing shareholders would have first right of refusal over the company’s shares.

It was also stated that Hagland would be chairman of the board, and that Arne W. Aanensen should receive 10 per cent of net profits before the remaining would be distributed evenly among the shareholders – but only after necessary provisions had been made.

Rasmus Gautsen Hagland passed away only weeks later, and his shares were taken over by the Aanensen family as agreed. Today, the shares are owned by Arne W. Aanensen senior’s grandsons, brothers Arne (born 1949) and Knut W. Aanensen (born 1950).

Hagland had in cooperation with a local captain been seeking the interest of local shipowners to invest in self-discharging bulk vessels. However, lacking sufficient interest from others, Hagland deemed it such an interesting business opportunity that it was decided to pursue it with a 24% equity share. After establishing Hagland Shipping the year before, the first vessel began operating in April 1984 – a 2,100 dwt vessel named “Mineral”. Hagland was responsible for chartering and accounting/administration.

A second, similar vessel was acquired in November the same year, and given the name “Miranda”, and in 1986 another vessel, “Minerva”, joined the fleet. In 1987 a fourth vessel was added, “Mira Bulk”, which later changed name to “Mina”.

During the same period, Hagland also conducted several sale/leasebacks for Nor-Cargo, one such deal involving Hagland Shipping becoming manager and owner of the ro-ro/pallet carrier “Cometa”. The vessel was owned and operated by Hagland from 1990 until 1996.

In 2007, Hagland Shipping was both expanding and renewing its fleet, adding four sister vessels of about 3,700 mt dwt. “Hagland Bona“, built 1997, and “Hagland Borg“, built 1996 were the first two, both of which were acquired by Hagland. Later the same year “Hagland Boss”, built 1997, would follow.

In addition, the “Falkland“, built 1986 and owned by Karmøy-based Falkeid Shipping, was chartered in to Hagland Shipping.

With these additions, the Hagland fleet grew to nine self-discharging mini-bulkers.

In 2011, the Hagland fleet grew with “Hagland Saga” (ex. “Arklow River”) of about 4,200 dwt and built 2003. With this addition, combined with disposal of older vessels, Hagland Shipping operated a fleet of eight ships.

For the first time in more than 100 years, Hagland Shipping would take delivery of newbuilds – albeit not initially ordered by Hagland themselves. The two 4,750 dwt bulk-carriers were built at Chowgule & Co. Private Ltd. in Goa, India.

“Hagland Captain” and “Hagland Chief” were initially operated under Dutch flag by the J.R. Shipping group in Harlingen, and were on time-charter to Hagland Shipping. With these additions the Hagland Shipping fleet grew to 11 vessels. Hagland subsequently acquired the vessels in 2016 and 2017, respectively.

Hagland Captain was also retro-fitted as the world’s first plug-in battery hybrid vessel within its segment.

Together with the two vessels already under construction, the three new vessels will replace older vessels with traditional propulsion systems with a modern, optimised vessel with plug-in battery hybrid solution that satisfies IMO TIER III requirements.

Hagland launched a new 4,900‑DWT battery‑hybrid bulk carrier equipped with an electric loading and unloading system that enabled zero emissions while in port. The vessel could operate with either a grab for bulk cargo or a timber grapple. Compared with the oldest ships in the company’s fleet, it delivered more than a 40% reduction in CO₂ emissions and a 90–95% reduction in NOx emissions.

The investment was more than NOK 800 million and the single biggest investment in the group’s history.

The vessels will replace older vessels with traditional propulsion systems with modern, optimised vessels with plug-in battery hybrid solution and electric cargo handler.