Throughout 2025, we shared — here and across our social media channels — the inauguration of transfer of Westhon Headquarters to Teresópolis, a mountain city located approximately 100 km from our WSB office in Rio de Janeiro. Now, it is time to officially introduce WSB Norway, also launched last year in Kristiansand, a strategic city in Southern Norway.
Situated in one of the most iconic hubs of the global offshore industry, the new unit strengthens WSB’s presence in the North Sea and enhances its ability to connect European and Asian shipowners with operational demands originating from Brazil. This move positions WSB as the first genuinely Brazilian offshore shipbroking firm to establish its own structure in Norway, reinforcing its role as a bridge between complementary markets.
Sølve Høyrem, the Leader behind WSB Norway
At the helm of WSB Norway is the experienced and multifaceted broker Sølve Høyrem. With more than 25 years of dedicated shipbroking experience in the Norwegian market, he has built a distinctive and resilient career path. Over the years, he played a central role in the continuity and development of Westshore following the passing of Erik Stalemo, further strengthening his standing within the offshore brokerage community.
“I have always focused on building long-term relationships based on trust and performance. In shipping, consistency and credibility are everything,” Høyrem says.
One of the most significant milestones in his career was the financial turnaround and growth of Westshore, a shipbroking company he joined in 2002, when its annual revenue was approximately USD 400,000. After taking on the role of Managing Director in 2007, he led a growth cycle that increased revenue to USD 9 million the following year — a leap that cemented Westshore’s position in the market and reinforced his reputation within the industry.
The invitation to lead WSB Norway came from Alexandre Vilela, CEO of WSB Advisors. Their professional paths first crossed at Westshore, when Høyrem invited Vilela in 2010 to open the local Westshore office. That early gesture of trust marked the beginning of a long-standing professional relationship. Years later, the collaboration evolved and ultimately culminated in the consolidation of WSB Advisors in 2016 — a dynamic that reflects a simple principle: trust once given returns in kind.
“From the very beginning, our cooperation was both enjoyable and highly successful. We built a strong professional relationship based on trust, market insight, and a shared commitment to delivering value to our clients. As part of this new chapter, I am establishing WSB Norway,” he adds.
Among Sølve’s key challenges is expanding the international client portfolio, bringing new partners closer to the Brazilian operation — with several offers already presented and certain business secured. Another strategic objective is to establish a healthy and recurring revenue stream in Norway, laying solid foundations for future expansion.
“I look forward to strengthening these international connections and creating new opportunities across these key markets,” he states.
WSB Advisors and Norway: a consolidated relationship
Kristiansand is a city that breathes offshore — a characteristic shared by Norway as a whole. The country is home to some of the leading companies in the maritime and energy industries, including Equinor, DOF, BW Offshore, NOV, and Solstad.
WSB Advisors’ connection with the Norwegian market, however, goes far beyond the opening of the new office. One.Energy magazine has a broad reach in the country and has established itself as one of the leading international offshore publications among Norwegian readers.
In 2025, members of the WSB Brazil team attended Nor-Shipping, held in Lillestrøm, near Oslo, alongside Sølve Høyrem. Regarded as one of the most prestigious events in the global maritime industry, the latest edition marked its 60th anniversary, attracting more than 60,000 visitors from 104 countries.
Sølve highlights an important distinction in market dynamics:
“In Norway, the spot market is highly developed and very active, with strong broker involvement. This is a characteristic of a mature offshore market, where brokers play an integrated role between owners and charterers. Brazil, even after a challenging decade for the industry, has seen increasing broker activity — a sign that the market is evolving and becoming more structured,” Høyrem explains.