In 1994, Mr. Smith-Kielland was asked by NYK to run United European Car Carriers (UECC) in Grimstad. UECC was, and still is, a leading provider of European short sea roro transportation. Smith-Kielland accepted after being offered a helicopter to commute back and forth between Tjøme and Grimstad on a daily basis. The period was longer than anticipated and lasted nearly four years.