UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 6-K

                            Report of Foreign Issuer
                      Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
                       the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


                           For the month of April 2006
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                       Ship Finance International Limited
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                 (Translation of registrant's name into English)

       Par-la-Ville Place, 14 Par-la-Ville Road, Hamilton, HM 08, Bermuda
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                    (Address of principal executive offices)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F

                           Form 20-F [X] Form 40-F [ ]
                           --------      --------

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

                                 Yes [ ] No [X]
                                -------- --------

If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in
connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-
                                    --------


Item 1. INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS FORM 6-K REPORT

Attached as Exhibit 1 is a copy of the press release of Ship Finance
International Limited (the "Company") dated April 11, 2006 relating to the
Appointment of Lars Solbakken as its Chief Executive Officer.

                                    Exhibit 1

Ship Finance International Limited

Ship Finance International Limited ("Ship Finance" or "Company") has employed
Lars Solbakken as its Chief Executive Officer ("CEO"). Mr. Solbakken is 48 years
old and is currently employed by Fortis Bank. Mr. Solbakken is, in his current
position, the general manager of Fortis Bank in Norway and is responsible for
the bank's shipping and oil service activities in Scandinavia.

From 1987 to 1997 Mr. Solbakken served in several positions in Nordea Bank Norge
ASA (previously Christiania Bank). He was senior vice president and deputy for
the shipping, offshore and aviation group, head of equity issues and merger &
acquisition activities and general manager for the Seattle Branch. Prior to
joining Nordea Bank Norge ASA, Mr. Solbakken worked 5 years in Wilh. Wilhelmsen
ASA as finance manager. Mr. Solbakken has a master of science from the Norwegian
School of Economics and Business Administration.

Mr. Solbakken is expected to take up his position with Ship Finance during the
second quarter of 2006.

Chairman in Ship Finance Tor Olav Tr0im said in a comment:" We are very pleased
to have recruited Mr. Solbakken to become the new CEO. His broad international
background as a senior banker and his very good reputation in the shipping
market secures our Company a top professional CEO, highly qualified to develop
and execute the Company's growth strategy."


Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward looking statements. These statements are
based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further
assumptions, including Ship Finance management's examination of historical
operating trends. Although Ship Finance believes that these assumptions were
reasonable when made, because assumptions are inherently subject to significant
uncertainties and contingencies which are difficult or impossible to predict and
are beyond its control, Ship Finance cannot give assurance that it will achieve
or accomplish these expectations, beliefs or intentions.

Important factors that, in the Company's view, could cause actual results to
differ materially from those discussed in this press release include the
strength of world economies and currencies, general market conditions including
fluctuations in charter hire rates and vessel values, changes in demand in the
tanker market as a result of changes in OPEC's petroleum production levels and
world wide oil consumption and storage, changes in the Company's operating
expenses including bunker prices, dry-docking and insurance costs, changes in
governmental rules and regulations or actions taken by regulatory authorities,
potential liability from pending or future litigation, general domestic and
international political conditions, potential disruption of shipping routes due
to accidents or political events, and other important factors described from
time to time in the reports filed by the Company with the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission.

February 17, 2006
The Board of Directors
Ship Finance International Limited
Hamilton, Bermuda

Questions should be directed to:

Tor Olav Troim: Director, Ship Finance International Limited
+44 7734 976 575

Oscar Spieler: Chief Executive Officer, Frontline Management AS
+47 23 11 40 79

Tom Jebsen, Chief Financial Officer, Ship Finance International Limited
+47 23 11 40 21



                                   SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorised.


                                       Ship Finance International Limited.
                                       -----------------------------------
                                       (Registrant)




Date  April 11, 2006                   By  /s/ Tom E. Jebsen
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                                           Tom E. Jebsen
                                           Chief Financial Officer

SK 23153 0001 660606