Our Bergen team is a group of highly skilled and experienced Vessel Managers, purchasers, HSEQ specialists, and engineers. In Manila, we have a team delivering office support services and accounting to the Bergen team and our manning agency, Grieg Philippines.
Managing Director Atle Sommer has nearly 20 years of experience in ship management, spanning organisational, technical, and operational leadership in companies like Seatrans and GC Rieber Shipping. He also has three years as a Partner in Idevekst Energi, providing management consulting services. Before his civilian career, Sommer climbed the ranks of the Royal Norwegian Navy for 18 years, retiring from the position of Squadron Commander. He joined Grieg Star in 2021. Sommer is a Norwegian Naval Academy Master Mariner graduate specialising in nautical studies, organisational development and leadership.
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Eli Vassenden has over 40 years of experience in the shipping industry, mainly within the Grieg Group. Her background covers leadership, maritime HR, contingency, insurance, procurement, logistics, and technical ship management. Eli is now in charge of Fleet Support, covering Maritime HR, Procurement, Insurance and Claims, as well as Maritime HR, Crewing and the support office in Manila. She has broad board experience nationally and internationally and is a Director of the Board of several external entities and other Grieg Group companies.
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Michael Back has over 20 years of experience in drilling & ship management, and technical and operational management in companies like Odfjell Drilling and Bergen Tankers. He also has three years as a Partner in iTecSolutions, providing technical maintenance consulting services. Before that, Michael took a degree in marine engineering at Bergen Maritime Academy and climbed the ranks on various ships to Chief Engineer. He joined Grieg Star in 2014.
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Yngve Rein has nearly 15 years of experience as a Safety and Quality manager in the tanker and dry cargo segments. Before his civilian career, Rein did 12 years of active sea service in the management ranks on various vessels in the Royal Norwegian Navy and the Norwegian Coastguard. He joined Grieg Star in 2018. Rein is educated as a Master Mariner from the Norwegian Naval Academy and has an economics degree from the Norwegian School of Economics.
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Torleif Frimannslund has 15 years of experience with engineering and leadership within the land-based industry, oil and gas, and ship management. He has an MSc from NTNU and has international experience from Europe, Africa, and Asia. He joined Grieg Star in 2022.
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