Oslo has a unique maritime community
Few cities in the world can offer a maritime environment with a concentration of companies and competence like Oslo's. Norway has the fifth largest merchant fleet in the world, and Oslo is a leading international shipping metropolis. With Oslo's attention focused on international markets and business opportunities, shipping and services in the regional cluster are continuously being improved in order to meet or beat global competition.
“Compared to other shipping centers around the world, the cluster environment in the Oslo region is the most complete.”
Morits Skaugen,
CEO IM Skaugen AS and Chairman of the Oslo Maritime Network
Close collaboration offers opportunities
Norway has a history of producing technological breakthroughs in the maritime industry. Ship and equipment innovations, innovative financial services, and one-stop maritime service providers are all examples of important innovations fostered in Norway, many of them driven by collaboration between shipowners and advanced suppliers in the Oslo region. The combination of open communication and local rivalry makes Oslo a vibrant learning community for maritime companies.
Access to a highly competent workforce
The Oslo region has the most highly educated population in Europe, available at competitive salary levels. The maritime industry in Oslo is highly profitable and is seen as an attractive employer, ensuring access to the brightest minds in managerial, financial, technical and legal fields.
Advanced maritime R&D
Some of the world's leading maritime research institutions are based in Norway, several of which are present in Oslo. Complementing this presence is the history that Norwegian maritime firms have of maintaining close relationships with research institutions throughout the country and internationally, helping them to accelerate innovation and commercialisation of new maritime technologies.
World market leaders
Oslo-based companies are among the world leaders in several shipping segments and maritime services, like Höegh Autoliners in car transport, IM Skaugen and Norgas in petroleum and chemical tankers, Wilhelmsen Maritime Services in equipment supply and management support, DNV in classification and risk management, Skuld in maritime insurance, Fearnleys in ship broking and DnB NOR and Nordea in ship financing. These firms and other world leaders serve as benchmarks and bellwethers for the rest of the cluster.
"The reason why we invested in Norway was because there is more here than just steel ... it is a centre of tremendous competence for shipping"
Andreas Sohmen-Pao, CEO of World-Wide Shipping,
after the acquisition of Bergesen, now BW Gas and BW Offshore in Oslo.