Norway has a complete maritime ecosystem, including a comprehensive value chain and a unique network of regional clusters.
Norway’s maritime industry has centuries of experience and collaborates closely with R&D and innovation environments, clients, and national and international actors to develop sustainable solutions and achieve global net-zero emissions.
Building a green maritime industry on tremendous strengths
Norwegians have been shipbuilders and seafarers since Viking times.
Today, the Norwegian maritime industry delivers world-leading products, systems and services that enable customers and partners to optimise sea transport, making it greener, safer, and more specialised and cost-efficient.
Ocean industries account for about 70% of Norway’s export revenue, excluding oil and gas.
Norway’s shipowners and ship management companies operate one of the world’s most advanced fleets. Norwegian companies deliver advanced digital solutions to facilitate data-driven decarbonisation and increase energy efficiency.
Norway is home to world-leading ship designers and shipbuilders of specialised vessels for a wide range of industries, include offshore wind and fisheries and aquaculture.
Norway excels in electric and hybrid vessels and is a pioneer in using new marine fuels like hydrogen, methanol and ammonia.
Norway is a world leader in digitalisation and Norwegian companies are reknowned as system integrators as well as suppliers of durable equipment that can stand up to the harshest conditions.
Norway delivers digital solutions for every phase of a vessel’s life cycle, increasing safety and efficiency, while cutting costs and emissions.
Norway is home to some of the world’s largest ship financing banks and has a large segment of the global market for ship insurance.
The share of low and zero-emission vessels built at Norwegian shipyards is higher than that of all other shipbuilding nations combined.
The Norwegian Shipowner’s Association aims to only order zero-emission vessels from 2030 and become climate neutral by 2050.
Advantages beyond expertise and technology
Norway offers more than advanced equipment and world-class services. It is a good place to do business for other reasons, too.
The Norwegian maritime industry is renowned for its excellent health and safety record.
Norwegian workers are trustworthy and well-educated, with a strong sense of autonomy. Exceptional critical thinking skills enable them to work independently and solve problems. As a result, companies can employ fewer workers in Norway, and many international companies find that labour costs are much lower than they assumed.
Industrial culture is built on trust, cooperation and a flat hierarchy, which also yields outstanding efficiency.
Norway has world-class infrastructure, especially digital infrastructure. The country tops digitalisation rankings in Europe, with nearly 100% Internet and mobile coverage and connectivity. Moreover, Norwegians are early adopters of digital technologies and possess outstanding digital skills.
Norway has strong R&D environments and industrial clusters throughout the country and government policies that support its major industries. Norway understands the value of international partnership and seeks it out.
While not an EU member, Norway is fully integrated into the European single market through the EEA Agreement.
Norway has a high level of political and social stability, consistently ranking among the world’s top countries for resiliency. The economy is strong and diverse as well.
Norway outperforms most other countries on the OECD’s Better Life Index. Along with a high standard of living, Norway offers a good work-life balance, public safety and a clean environment.
Excellent health care and higher education are available to all. Norway is known worldwide as a pioneer in gender equality, and provides generous family leave and universal, low-cost childcare.
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Carl Erik Gurrik
Head of national export initiative on green maritime, Innovation Norway