In 2018, Statistics Norway launched a report concerning the number of Norwegian seafarers, as asked from the Norwegian Ministry. The statistics revealed that more than 20,000 Norwegian seafarers work on Norwegian vessels, marking an increase of about 400 seafarers in comparison to 2017.
According to Statistics:
- 20,141 Norwegian seamen worked on Norwegian ships in 2018.
The majority of seafarers reside in Møre og Romsdal (4100), followed by Hordaland (3200), Nordland (2100), Rogaland (2000 ) and Trøndelag (1700).
As the Minister of Trade and Industry Torbjørn Røe Isaksen commented
Norway has long and proud shipping traditions, and maritime industry is one of our most important industries. The more than 20,000 Norwegians who have their work at sea are of great importance for the competitiveness of the industry, and contribute to ensuring job and value creation across the country.
- As shown above, there was a rise in the number of Norwegian seafarers on ships in the Norwegian Ordinary Ship Register (NOR): from 2017 to 2018, from 15,300 to about 15,400, following a decline from 2016 to 2017.
- The number of seafarers who jobs on board ships registered in the Norwegian International Ship Register (NIS) have increased. In 2018, there were approximately 2,100 Norwegian seafarers working on board NIS-registered ships, an increase of almost 350 persons since 2016.
- There has been a decrease in the number of seafarers working on foreign-registered ships since 2016.
During 2018, in support of Norwegian seafarers, Norway decided against the reflagging of Color Line vessels, according to the Norwegian International Ship Register (NIS) flag, securing the jobs and wages and conditions of Norway’s seafarers.
Commenting on the results, the Minister of Industry stated
There is good news that we have so many cadets and apprentices at sea. I believe this shows that government policy works. I hope that in the future we will also see an increase in the number of Norwegian seafarers on Norwegian ships.
Moreover, the Norwegian Shipping Association expects increased profitability and more new employees in 2019, according to its Outlook Report for 2019.
