A strike by drivers of pilot vessels in Norwaythat escalated this morning means that pilots are unable to board and disembarkvessels, which causes disruption to shipping itineraries, the Norwegian CoastalAdministration (Kystverket) said in a statement.

A total of 103 pilot boats have beenidled by the strike this morning, whichis part of a larger public sector paydispute. Already on 24 May, pilots on the Oslo fjord joined the strike action:they are employed by the municipally owned Port of Oslo.

Vessels that have a dispension from usingpilots operate normally. These include the ferry services of Color Line, StenaLine and DFDS from Oslo. However, cruise liners and most other ships have toembark pilots