Norway's JO Odfjell group has quietly acquired a significant stake in compatriot Thor Dahl Shipping.

The surprise move gives Bergen-based JO Odfjell a position in one of the few Norwegian shipowners focused on the containership segment.

Two low-key JO Odfjell companies — JO Invest and Hassel Shipping 3 — now have taken a combined stake of 40.8% in Sandefjord-based Thor Dahl.