The foundations of the present Fred. Olsen organisation were laid in the middle of the 19th century by the three brothers, Fredrik Christian, Petter and Andreas Olsen, of Hvidsten in Norway. After the repeal of the Navigation Act, and during the subsequent expansion in shipping caused by the Crimean War, these vigorous and experienced brothers (they were all ships’ captains) took advantage of the favourable times. Fredrik Christian Olsen bought his first two sailing ships, the schooners Johanne Christian and Elizabeth in 1848. He died in 1875 having owned 22 sailing ships.

Petter Olsen’s ship-owning career began in 1852 with the brig Thilda. In his lifetime, he owned a total of 16 sailing ships, besides part interests in several steamships. Andreas Olsen bought the barque De Tre Venner in 1860 and subsequently owned five other sailing ships.

Petter Olsen’s son Fredrik was thus continuing an established tradition when, in 1886, he took over the management of two of his father’s ships. By then the Olsens had owned 40 vessels.

Fred. Olsen owned businesses in England and France. He had taken his Master’s Ticket at the age of 23 and had held command of several of his father’s ships when he started his career as a shipowner. From the very beginning he had a definite aim: to create a network of regular lines, firstly on the North Sea and later, further afield. He believed that the way to success was to build up a reputation fro service and dependability. He well understood the need to transfer from sail to steam in spite of the fact that sailing ships still remained cheaper to operate. In 1896 he ordered his first steamship, the Bayard.

Four generations later, the family operates companies skilled in various aspects of the tanker, shipbuilding and offshore industries. Aside from the transportation industries, the Fred. Olsen companies also have interests in the luxury hotel sector, estate management, property development and the electronics industry.

Offices for the company are spread throughout the world, although the company headquarters remain firmly in the family’s hands in Oslo, Norway.