The Norwegian Shipping and Trade Mission (Nortraship) was established in London in April 1940 to administer the Norwegian merchant fleet outside German-controlled areas. Nortraship operated some 1,000 vessels and was the largest shipping company in the world. It is credited for giving a major contribution to the Allied war effort.The British politician Philip Noel-Baker, Baron Noel-Baker, commented after the war that "The first great defeat for Hitler was the battle of Britain.