WHY OSLO? - Oslo Maritime Nettverk

WHY OSLO?
“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
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, numbering over
1200 maritime companies with nearly19 000 employees. With
Oslo’s attention focused on international markets and business
opportunities, shipping and services in the regional cluster
are continuously improving in order to meet or beat global
competition.
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, RS Platou 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.
New, favourable tax regime Topping off this list of reasons
to do business from Oslo and Norway is the new shipping
tax regime effective from January 2008. The new laws
harmonise Norway with the EU, granting tax exemption on
shipping and related activities. With this official vote of confidence,
the maritime industry in Norway is set for further
growth into the future.