Report by the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association
The Norwegian Shipowners’ Association released a report on maritime opportunities in the Arctic.
According to the report, Norway’s sea area is six times larger than its landmass. The majority of this area lies in what wedefine as the High North. The High North hasbecome an object of increasing focus by many parties due to its significance for energy, the environment and security on a global scale. The trend in theform of serious melting of the polar icecap is causefor concern. At the same time, a number of playershave explored the potentials that are opening up.This development makes particular demands on theauthorities and all other stakeholders in the HighNorth.
The Norwegian authorities must safeguardresponsible and sustainable development in theregion. The Norwegian Shipowners’ Associationseeks to make an active contribution to this aim.In this High North strategy, the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association delineates three development areasof particular interest to shipping companies: offshoreenergy extraction, intra-regional transport and polartransit. All three share the fact that operations areperformed under extremely difficult conditions.High demands are made on operational expertise,technology and quality along the entire value chain.
The Norwegian maritime industry is a world-leaderin terms of both technology and expertise.The Norwegian Shipowners’ Association isgenerally experiencing widespread and increasing interest in Arctic issues in our dialogue withnational and international authorities and otherstakeholders.The main challenge relating to industrial activities in the High North is that nature in the Arcticis vulnerable to external influences and is slowto recover from encroachments and accidents.
The Norwegian Shipowners’ Association seeksto work nationally and internationally to ensurethat industrial activities in the High North adhereto the highest standards for health, safety and theenvironment in order to prevent or limit accidentsand harmful discharges and emissions. Activitiestaking place in the High North must be based on afirm commitment to the environment, safety andemergency preparedness.There are major opportunities in Northern Norway’s business and industry, and industrial activitieswill have positive knock-on effects.
The maritimeindustry is important for value-creation andemployment in Norway, especially on the coast. Inmany of the country’s coastal communities, morethan half of the inhabitants are employed in theindustry. It is important for the maritime industrythat the Norwegian authorities develop the opportunities present on the Norwegian Continental Shelf,so that our maritime competence can be used in thedevelopment of transport and petroleum activitieswhen industry moves into the High North.
TheNorwegian authorities must pursue an active policyto ensure effective and responsible resource utilisation of the petroleum resources in the North.Norwegian shipping companies have many generations of experience of operating in the High North.Shipping has been the lifeblood for many communities because of poor or non-existent infrastructure onshore. Operations in the dark, in the ice andin polar low pressure systems that are difficult topredict pit crews and equipment against challengesthat require specialist expertise and experience.
The experience that Norwegian shipping companies have amassed over many years forms the basisof the operations that form an integral part of thepetroleum activities as they extend northwards. Inthis document, the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association sets out its perspectives and positions withregard to a knowledge-based and balanced development of the High North.
The Norwegian Shipowners’ Association report on maritime opportunities in the Arctic which can be viewed onlinehere.
