Some time during the summer of 1942 Næss was called for a meeting with Johan Ludwig Mowinckel, former prime minister of Norway. He was not satisfied with how Nortraship was administered and wanted Næss into the management of the organisation, as he had good connections with the "United States Maritime Commission". In November 1942 Næss was given the position as Deputy Head of the Nortraship New York office. For Næss it was a sacrifice as he had to give up his job as head of the "Viking Tanker Company" and sell his shares, in order not to have conflicts of interest.