HANSA 05-2019

oats for the aquaculture sector that keep
the yards busy.
How does the shipyard landscape in
Norway look today, compared to the
pre-crisis years?
Strønen: The shipyard landscape in
Norway is very differentiated. We have
four large groups (VARD – with several
yards, Ulstein Yard, Kleven Yard and
the yard Havyard Ship Technology). In
the mid-range there are for example Aas
Mek. Verksted, Fitjar Mek. Verksted,
Fiskerstrand Verft, Baatbygg, Stadyard,
Larsnes Mek. Verksted and Oma Baatbyggeri.
In addition, highly specialized
yards as Oma Baatbyggeri and Grovfjord
Mek. Verksted deliver very high-end vessels
within their segments.
We have not had many close-downs
(just one I believe), but some consolidations
has happened. The most known is
the Kleven Group which under new ownership
and management is reduced to the
Kleven Yard itself (building of new Hurtigruten
ships) while former member of
the Kleven Group the Myklebust Yard
now is an independent business.
What are the strategies of the domestic
shipbuilding sector in the current market
environment?
Strønen: Due to high labour costs we
have to focus on the building of advanced
vessels, whether it is a smaller
»workhorse« for the aquaculture
sector or a hybrid-fuelled fishing
vessel for the high north. Our
power is the building of
advanced vessels.
We
cannot
Asle Strønen
© Norske Skipsverft
compete with low-cost countries and
therefore have to focus on specialized and
advanced vessels.
What are the recent trends and developments
in terms of customer demand?
Strønen: Recent trends are low or zero
emission technology. The fisheries sector
is very important for the Norwegian
yards.
What role does repair and conversion
play besides newbuilding activity?
Strønen: Repair and conversions is very
important. And this is valid for all kind
of vessels. Our coastline is very long with
thousands of vessels spread all along the
Norwegian coast. Geographical proximity
to the market (with yards from north
to south) ensures good contract volume.
Vard has been taken over by Fincantieri,
Kleven belongs to Hurtigruten, Fosen
took over Nordseewerke in Germany –
will Norwegian Yards become more nationally
or internationally involved?
Strønen: In my opinion Norwegian yards
will rather become more nationally involved
than international in relations to
ownerships and takeovers.
What is your outlook, where do you see
opportunities?
Strønen: Our best business opportunities
lie within new technologies for
the ferry and fisheries sectors. With regards
to offshore, I don’t see a comeback
with regards to new buildings, but
there will be some conversions to be
done. Cruise ships/ferries are already the
»next« big thing for the Norwegian yards.
Interview: Felix Selzer
© Selzer
HANSA International Maritime Journal 05 | 2019 NorShipping
13