Output growth in shipbuilding

The index level for Norwegian manufacturing from August to October 2018 amounted to 116.6 (2005=100). The corresponding figure for the previous three-month period was 115.5. The long-term trend now shows growth throughout this year. There was an increase of 3.2 per cent from January to October 2018, according to seasonally adjusted figures.

Three-month change: high activity in ships, boats and oil platforms

According to seasonally-adjusted figures, manufacturing output saw an increase of 1 per cent from August to October 2018 compared to the previous three-month period. The growth is particularly related to a significant increase equivalent to 7.9 per cent within ships, boats and oil platforms. High activity within ship building is the main reason behind this development. In addition, fabricated metal products also contributed positively with an increase of 3.8 per cent. The analytical grouping petroleum-related manufacturing saw an overall increase of 1.8 per cent.

On the other hand, the overall output increase was dampened by a production decline in food products. The industry declined 2.5 per cent due to lower production within processing and preserving of fish. One contributing factor was relatively low mackerel output due to reduced fishing quotas.

Monthly change: clear increase from September to October

According to seasonally-adjusted figures, manufacturing output saw a clear increase of 1.5 per cent from September to October 2018. Several industries experienced growth in this period, where food products and the industry grouping rubber, plastic and mineral products contributed the most to the overall increase.

Minor decline in the Euro area and in Norway in September

Estimated figures from Eurostat, the EU’s statistical office, indicate that output in manufacturing in the Euro area decreased marginally by 0.2 per cent from August to September 2018. In the same period, Norwegian manufacturing output also had a minor decrease of 0.3 per cent. 

In Sweden, the manufacturing output was unchanged from August to September, while Denmark saw a minor fall of 0.4 per cent.  

Three-month change: electricity supply contributes to growth in total industrial production (PII)

According to seasonally-adjusted figures, the total production index (PII) covering extraction, mining, manufacturing and electricity supply had an increase of 1.4 per cent from August to October 2018 compared to the previous three-month period. The total growth is particularly due to a production rise of 12.4 per cent within Norwegian electricity supply. This increase must be seen in conjunction with low production in the previous three-month period due to a low level of rainfall. 

In the same period, extraction of crude petroleum declined 0.8 per cent, while extraction of natural gas fell 2.1 per cent. For more details about oil and gas extraction for October 2018, see the press release from the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate.

Within support activities for petroleum and natural gas extraction, there was a clear output increase equivalent to 2.7 per cent, while mining and quarrying saw an output fall of 2.3 per cent.