Foreship is an internationally operating company specialised in ship design. Grant Thornton has been Finland based Foreship’s audit partner since 2002 – right from the company’s founding. The long-term partnership is based on immediate co-operation and a deep understanding of Foreship’s business.

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Long-term relationship
Grant Thornton has been Foreship’s audit partner for over 20 years
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Long-standing auditor
Authorised Public Accountant (KHT) and partner Ilkka Kujala has served as the lead auditor for around 15 years.
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Increasing staff
Foreship has grown from 30 people to an international organisation of over 100
I particularly value the continuity of our co-operation. Grant Thornton has a deep understanding of Foreship’s business, and Ilkka has been along on our journey for so long that we also know each other’s ways of working very well. We can trust that Ilkka and his team will do their job well, and that things are done with quality and as agreed.
Lauri Haavisto Foreship’s CEO

Over more than two decades, Foreship has grown from 30 people to an international organisation of over 100, with subsidiaries in Estonia, Germany, England, and the United States. The company focuses especially on the modernisation of cruise and passenger vessels.

Grant Thornton has been Foreship’s audit partner for over 20 years. Authorised Public Accountant (KHT) and partner Ilkka Kujala has served as the lead auditor for most of that time, around 15 years.

Flexible and comprehensive co-operation

Foreship utilises Grant Thornton’s expertise especially in auditing and high-quality financial management reporting. Grant Thornton is responsible for the Group’s audit and supports audit also in some of Foreship’s subsidiaries.

During the shared history, co-operation has extended beyond auditing: Grant Thornton has been Foreship’s partner in acquisition processes, in which it has assisted, among other things, in financial due diligence reviews of targets. In addition, Grant Thornton has supported Foreship in changes to the company structure. 

Grant Thornton’s seamless co-operation with Foreship’s other partners has eased the client’s workload.


“Grant Thornton and our accounting and payroll partner have worked closely together. That has been valuable and has freed up pairs of hands for us. Competent and reliable partners make it possible for us to focus on our core business and its development,” Haavisto says.

Alongside in different phases of the business

Foreship’s growth story has included many phases of development in which Grant Thornton has been involved as a reliable adviser. For example, in the challenging operating environment caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Grant Thornton supported Foreship in adapting to changes and ensuring financial stability. Alongside audit, the teams held advisory sessions focused on cash flow scenarios and asset valuations, actively supporting management’s decision-making amid uncertainty.

After many years under employee ownership, Foreship welcomed private equity investor Vaaka Partners alongside in 2019, which accelerated the company’s strategic development and international growth. In June 2025, Foreship entered a new phase as its entire share capital was sold to the international Rina Group, a global provider of engineering, inspection, and certification services.

Grant Thornton’s long-term partnership has supported Foreship through different phases of change and growth – providing expertise, continuity, and vision in a rapidly developing sector.

Read more about Foreship.