Alan Lam reporting from Norway
Norway’s has always been known for both its rich maritime heritage and imaginative innovations. With the offshore industry languishing in the doldrums, the country’s shipbuilders, designers, and suppliers were forced to rethink, regroup, and re-invent themselves. They now have a fresh focus on the cruise and ferry industry.
This week one of our correspondents is in Sunnmøre to see first hand how the country’s maritime industry is being transformed by this new focus.
About seventy percent of all advanced seagoing vessels in the world were once designed or built in this region. Five years ago, because of the violent decline in the offshore sector, the industry suddenly found itself no longer fit for purpose and, in some cases, facing extinction. Demands for its products and expertise evaporated.
In the true Norwegian spirit of innovation and adaptation, the maritime sector soon re-organised itself and refocused on passenger vessels, more specifically on medium-to-small-sized and technologically advanced cruise ships and ro-pax units. We have already seen an array of hybrid and battery-powered ships being built and delivered by shipyards located in Sunnmøre and its neighbouring regions.
The global cruise market is expanding rapidly, with demands, sustainability, and regulatory environment evolving in tandem. Shipbuilders and suppliers are multiplying all over the world. Norway needs to act quickly and accordingly in order to stay ahead of the game in the maritime industry marketplace.
The Norwegian government is progressively implementing ever-more strict environmental control measures against the shipping industry. From 2026, seven years from now, only zero-emission vessels will be allowed to sail in some of the most popular fjord areas. This restriction is likely to be extended to a much wider geography, probably to include the entire Norwegian coastal region. So for the industry this is a race against time. Its response is a strategy called “fast innovation”.
Our correspondent is currently speaking to local shipyards, suppliers and other stakeholders. A full feature on this topic will appear in the winter issue of CruiseBusiness.com Magazine.
