The government asks for a continued competitive framework
The EU Commission has put the central framework for the maritime industry on hearing. In their submission of June 15th , the Norwegian Government points to the fact that the current guidelines form the basis for the stable framework for the maritime industry and that since 2004, there has been a positive development in the Norwegian shipping industry.
– In a globalised industry, with the dominant competition taking place outside of Europe, we are satisfied that the Government aims to continue the EU guidelines, says director general Sturla Henriksen of the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association (NSA). The NSA deems the purpose of the guidelines to have been attained. – In our own submission to the Commission, we have documented a powerful growth within the maritime industry and employment over the last decade, says Henriksen. In their submissions to the Commission, industry players have stressed that offshore supply ships are subject to the same competition as other shipping activities and that shipping related to the oil industry contributes heavily to value creation and employment in Norway. The NSA feels there is no need to treat the offshore supply vessels differently than ships carrying passengers and goods, says Henriksen. In light of this, we are happy that the Government in its submission explicitly asks that the guidelines must include specialized offshore ships, says Henriksen.
