SHIP Finance International, one of the world’s largest shipowning companies, has appointed a former leading shipping banker, Hans Petter Aas, as its next chairman. Mr Aas, who retired from DnB Nor last year, is taking over from Craig Stevenson, who has been chairman since September 2007 and will continue as a non-executive director of the company, in which Norwegian shipping magnate John Fredriksen is the largest shareholder. It was also disclosed that Tor Olav Trøim has resigned as a non-executive director following the appointment to the board of Mr Fredriksen’s daughter Cecilie Fredriksen last November. Mr Aas said that Ship Finance International had a diversified asset base and “very high” charter backlog. “These are turbulent times for the shipping and credit markets, but I am convinced that Ship Finance will be able to take advantage of interesting investment opportunities that may arise.” Mr Stevenson said that, in the near term, he would be focusing more on the expansion of his private equity venture Diamond S Shipping.