Skuld

"It did not take many days before their ominous premonitions were confirmed. To Skuld registered; the fishermen, campgrounds, restaurants, hotels – everyone wanted compensation for losses after the oil spill. Over 800 individuals and businesses demanded money. When everyone had received their due, the total bill amounted to 36.8 million pounds, or around 400 million kroner. Skuld and the British Oil Pollution Fund did not want to be left with the bill either, and turned around and demanded the money from the port authorities in Milford Haven. In February 2002, they sued the port authorities and alleged that they were to blame for the wreck and oil spill due to defective radars, poor pilot training, and the completely failed rescue operation. The case was supposed to come up in 2004, and eight weeks were set aside in court. However, the Milford Haven port authorities did not wish to fully expose the scandal, and reluctantly agreed to a settlement in the fall of 2003. No less than 250 million kroner was paid by the port authority to avoid the accusations."

"Fredriksen did not succumb to the overpowering force. From his hiding place, he had several lengthy conversations with Morten Kristiansen, who, in addition to Warpe and Fredriksen's wife Inger, was among the very few who knew the location. The shipowner and his friends made plans. The order to Kristiansen was clear; the fleet was to be sold off as quickly as possible at proper prices. No one was trusted with the ability to manage the ships in Fredriksen's absence. In the discussions, no one used the word prison. They planned as if Fredriksen was facing a six-month long vacation. Kristiansen also got the job of securing new insurance. No fewer than 27 boats sailed without insurance. As if this little revenge was not enough, Gard had also seized the money Marine Management had in the bank. The newly appointed boss faced problems far beyond his white collar. Normally, Gard’s taunts would be a financially lethal dose. Reporting, suing, cancellation of insurance, and freezing of accounts at the same time are tough to handle for any shipping company. As an outsider, one was even worse off. Kristiansen solved the insurance problem simply and effectively. He approached Gard’s main competitor. The management of Skuld, the country's other important mutual insurance association, was in doubt. They contacted chairman Steen Olsen and asked for advice. Olsen's advice was to say yes for three reasons. The justification was cynical: "Firstly: If they have done something wrong, you can be sure that they will not do it again. Secondly, they are skilled people. And thirdly, money does not smell." Skuld welcomed its new member with open arms, and eventually the financing also fell into place. The head of Bankers Trust's shipping department, John Sawyer, flew in from London. He was informed about the desperate situation and chose to support the client. Sawyer did not hesitate long to make available the money the major client needed to weather the storm. Against all odds, Kristiansen had managed to steer the damaged ship into calm waters. But"

"In Norse mythology, the fate goddess Skuld is one of the three Norns who sit at the roots of the tree Yggdrasil, weaving on a large loom. It is the loom of life, and the three Norns weave everything that is to come for all living beings and gods."

"Fredriksen did not succumb to the overpowering force. From his hiding place, he had several lengthy conversations with Morten Kristiansen, who, in addition to Warpe and Fredriksen's wife Inger, was among the very few who knew the location. The shipowner and his friends made plans. The order to Kristiansen was clear; the fleet was to be sold off as quickly as possible at proper prices. No one was trusted with the ability to manage the ships in Fredriksen's absence. In the discussions, no one used the word prison. They planned as if Fredriksen was facing a six-month long vacation. Kristiansen also got the job of securing new insurance. No fewer than 27 boats sailed without insurance. As if this little revenge was not enough, Gard had also seized the money Marine Management had in the bank. The newly appointed boss faced problems far beyond his white collar. Normally, Gard’s taunts would be a financially lethal dose. Reporting, suing, cancellation of insurance, and freezing of accounts at the same time are tough to handle for any shipping company. As an outsider, one was even worse off. Kristiansen solved the insurance problem simply and effectively. He approached Gard’s main competitor. The management of Skuld, the country's other important mutual insurance association, was in doubt. They contacted chairman Steen Olsen and asked for advice. Olsen's advice was to say yes for three reasons. The justification was cynical: "Firstly: If they have done something wrong, you can be sure that they will not do it again. Secondly, they are skilled people. And thirdly, money does not smell." Skuld welcomed its new member with open arms, and eventually the financing also fell into place. The head of Bankers Trust's shipping department, John Sawyer, flew in from London. He was informed about the desperate situation and chose to support the client. Sawyer did not hesitate long to make available the money the major client needed to weather the storm. Against all odds, Kristiansen had managed to steer the damaged ship into calm waters. But for how long?"