The Norwegian Merchant Fleet, 2003-2004

Compared with 2002, there are fewer vessels and less tonnage in the Norwegian merchant fleet. There were 1 469 vessels in 2002, and this fell to 1 415 vessels in 2003 and 1 400 in 2004. The Norwegian fleet constituted 18.7 million gross tonnes in 2004. This is a decrease of 12 per cent from 2002, and an 8 per cent decrease from 2003.

The number of ships in the Norwegian Ordinary Ship Register (NOR) has fallen steadily in recent years. There were 749 NOR vessels in the merchant fleet in both 2003 and 2004. This is 27 less than in 2002. The NOR tonnage, however, is stable. It amounted to 2.7 million gross tonnes in 2004, compared with 2.6 million in 2002 and 2003.

The merchant fleet increased its tonnage for chemical tankers and supply vessels in 2004. For these vessel types, the tonnage has increased by 9 and 23 per cent respectively in two years. In the same period, the number of refrigerated vessels fell by 3 vessels, corresponding to 36 per cent in tonnage. The Norwegian registers have been reduced by one third of the tonnage of oil tankers from 2002 through 2004.

Compared with 2002, the number of vessels larger than 100 000 gross tonnes, the biggest vessels in the merchant fleet, fell by eight, or 47 per cent, in 2004. The registers also include more old vessels in 2004. The NIS register contained 15 tankers older than 30 years in 2004. This is 9 more than in 2002.

Bergen and Haugesund increased its vessel tonnage from 2002 through 2004. In the same period Oslo, Tønsberg and Stavanger experienced a fall in its home tonnage.

Tables:

• Table 1 Vessels registered in Norwegian ship registers. The merchant fleet. Vessels and tonnage. 1990-2004
• Table 2 Merchant fleet. Vessels in Norwegian ship registers. Number of vessels and gross tonnage by vessel type as for 31 December 2003 and 2004
• Table 3 Merchant fleet. Vessels in Norwegian ship registers. Number of vessels and gross tonnage by vessel size as for 31 December 2003 and 2004
• Table 4 Merchant fleet. Vessels in Norwegian ship registers. Number of vessels and gross tonnage by vessel age as for 31 December 2003 and 2004
• Table 5 Merchant fleet. Vessels in Norwegian ship registers. Number of vessels and gross tonnage by home port as for 31 December 2003 and 2004