An Inspiration for Modern Shipping, Norway is synonym with the Art of Boating
In a world where ‘Viking’ rhymes with ‘shipping’, Norway set the standard for the shipping industry on an international scale and mind you, it has never gone below excellent. With a longstanding and proud history with seafaring,
Norway continues to lead the way for better and greener shipping practices that could help save the planet and reduce running cost of ships by 80 percent. With an extensive and exciting history in shipping and maritime industries, growing from the era of the Vikings and gradually heading towards modern times, the Norwegian shipping industry is the messenger of necessities for its citizens.
The glorious past and the secret of Norway’s Marine Excellence: During the period of the Vikings, they were the rulers of the waters. These Vikings had to sail on mostly dangerous waters with the North Sea, the Baltic Sea and the North Atlantic being there playground. High tides, tossing vessels, and harsh waves were just as normal for them. Facing conditions like these it is not a mystery how they mastered the seas and excelled at soaring through them. Having such an experience of the marine world, the Norwegians were the most fearless people when it came to touring on the seas eventually making them a maritime nation as we see it today.
The Norwegian Maritime Industry: The Norwegian maritime industry comprises of the oil industry, the fishing industry, and the shipping industry. Ruling out the oil industry, it has always been a fact that the fishing and shipping industries have always been the biggest industries for Norway.
The global shipping industry is facing a challenge of zero-emission shipping. This is because the emissions produced by industries have a large impact on rapid climate changes. These climate changes further are a threat to maritime industries creating an adverse effect.
The first and foremost aim of the Norwegian shipping industry is to make the fjords, emission-free
This means that any vessel or ship wants to enter the harbor or the fjords have to be fully electric, not producing any emission at all. Taking on the huge challenge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2030, Norway is firmly committed to introducing environmentally friendly fuels and to improve its domestic shipping technology. This aim is to be accomplished by 2026 and that is why electric ferries and vessels can already be witnessed on the water bodies near the harbors, ports, and fjords. This naturally means that any ships which set foot in any Norwegian ports, harbours and fjords will have to be entirely run on electricity. Known for its natural beauty around the world, the zero-emissions fjord will undoubtedly preserve the vibrant greenness of the Kingdom. The demand for green technologies will soon spike up, forming new jobs, increasing competitiveness and in the long run boosting economic growth.
This idea of zero-emission zones did not just arrive from nowhere. If the sea-levels substantially rise near Norway, it will be the first region to be affected and that too in the worst manner. Foreseeing this and taking measures to eliminate it, Norway leads the world in efforts that can reduce emissions and pollutions that may directly or indirectly be the cause for a rise in sea levels or climate changes. The shipping companies of Norway collectively happen to be the third-largest fleet in the world. This being known, this fleet can largely contribute to the zero-emission goal not only for the country but for the entire world. Norway is working relentlessly to create the best conditions for new and green frameworks and to increase the demand for green technologies.
The Present Norwegian Maritime Cluster and Fleet: The Norwegian Maritime Cluster is a combination of all the things that are required for the industry to be whole and complete. With knowledge, labor, technology and skills to maintain and build their shipping requirements, the Norwegian Industry is one of the few industries with a complete maritime cluster.
In addition to this, some of the world’s biggest banks that finance ships and also provide insurance are based in Norway. As the year 2020 just started, the government is hoping to scale the solutions developed since 2015, as well as establishing a public-private collaboration to change the shipping environment, involving ABB, Danske Bank, and Equinor. The number of vessels that are controlled by Norway can be accounted for approximately 1700 vessels. This fleet of 1700 vessels includes everything from fishing boats, yachts, and ferries to sea cargo transport, fuel transport, and ocean exploration.
Becoming the Modern King of the Seas: Norway’s long love story with shipping had started out of necessity. Brave Vikings would sail away to the Mediterranean coast with their stock fish and return with wine. Admired by the many, Vikings were at that ruthless epoch, the Kings of the Sea. Despite intimidating waves, looming dangers that threatened boats, the Viking developed a trailblazing navigation system that was used for centuries and later replaced with the Sextant.
Norway is the third largest shipping country for total carrying capacity and is top-ten in terms of annual value shipped in terms of size. Setting itself as a major hub, Norway hosts the world’s most influential ship financing banks and ship insurance companies.
The abilities to cater for roll-on roll-off (RoRo) vessels is a premium facility rarely seen anywhere else but Norway, delivered by well-known firms such as Wallenius Wilhelmsen. The highly sought Kongsberg Maritime provides modern solutions for various purposes.
Norway has released an action plan for green shipping, saying that its maritime industry is a world leader in the development of low- and zero-emission solutions
The Government’s ambition is to reduce emissions from domestic shipping and fisheries by half by 2030 and promote the development of low- and zero-emission solutions for all vessel categories. To achieve this ambition, it will be necessary to speed up the green transition in the shipping sector. The introduction of stricter environmental requirements for international shipping by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) will result in growing global demand for environmental and climate technology in the years ahead. Norway’s leading position in green shipping can become an important competitive advantage, giving the maritime industry huge growth potential in international markets. By developing new zero- and low-emission solutions for maritime transport, Norway can make an important contribution to global climate and environmental efforts.
The focus on green shipping will support Government ambitions in several areas. It is important for ensuring that Norway can meet its international climate commitments and its targets for emission reductions in the transport sector. It will also support regional policy by creating opportunities for growth and jobs all along the coast. And the development of Norwegian environmental technology with export potential is in line with Norway’s industrial policy.
Including on and offshore, navy, coastal marine, aquaculture and merchant marine, all in all, the art of boating in Norway is truly reflected by the statement ‘excellence is never an incidence’. Norway has ever since established itself as a maritime nation and is currently one of the few countries with an advanced, thriving and well-developed maritime cluster, bringing together and creating value for Man, Earth and Machines. The Norwegian Maritime Industry is a massive industry with all that is required for a successful industry.
Spanning a period of centuries now, the expertise and efforts of the industry is a boon for the world.
https://www.econstor.eu/bitstream/10419/190861/1/978-3-319-95639-8.pdf
https://www.lifeinnorway.net/shipping-industry/
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