Maritime transport, Q4 2007

15.3 million tonnes of dry bulk were loaded or unloaded in the largest Norwegian ports during the fourth quarter of 2007. This equals an increase of 2.4 million tonnes, or 18.2 per cent compared with the same quarter in 2006. General cargo rose from 3.3 to 5.2 million tonnes during the same period. The amount of wet bulk decreased from 2.1 million tonnes to 22.5 million tonnes the fourth quarter.

More bulk vessel calls

There were 2 063 vessel calls by bulk vessels in the fourth quarter of 2007, 27 per cent more than in the same period in 2006. 47 per cent of the 18 753 vessel calls was made up by general cargo vessels. There were 70 less tanker calls and 170 less calls by ferries in international traffic compared with the fourth quarter in 2006.

Continued growth in container traffic

In total, 168 000 TEU (twenty feet equivalent unit) containers were handled in the fourth quarter of 2007. This is 6.2 per cent more than in the same period in 2006. Out of the total amount of containers, 118 000 contained cargo. This is a 3.8 per cent increase. Measured in goods carried, the TEU containers totalled 1.2 million tonnes. This is an increase of 4.1 per cent compared with the corresponding quarter in 2006.

More passengers on international ferries

1 270 500 passengers travelled on the international ferries during the fourth quarter of 2007. This equals an increase of 3.3 per cent compared with the same quarter in 2006. 84 per cent of the passengers embarked or disembarked in Oslo, Sandefjord or Kristiansand. All three ports saw an increase in number of passengers on their international lines.

More passengers on the southbound Norwegian Coastal Voyage

Almost 74 000 passengers travelled on the Norwegian Coastal Voyage the fourth quarter. This is a small increase compared with the same quarter in 2006. The southbound line carried about 34 000 passengers, i.e. 500 more than the fourth quarter of 2006. The distribution between north- and southbound line was 54 and 46 per cent respectively. For the whole year, there were 469 500 passengers travelling on the Norwegian Coastal Voyage. This was a decrease of about 10 000 travellers compared with 2006.

Tables:

• Table 1 Maritime transport statistics. Cargo in domestic and international traffic, by port district. 4th quarter 2007. Tonnes
• Table 2 Maritime transport statistics. Cargo by port district. 4th quarter 2007. Tonnes
• Table 3 Maritime transport statistics. Number of containers TEU (by lolo and roro) and cargo, by port district. 4th quarter 2007. Tonnes
• Table 4 Maritime transport statistics. Number of passengers and vehicles in ferry transport, by port district. 4th quarter 2007
• Table 5 Maritime transport statistics. Arrivals of vessels, by type of vessel. 4th quarter 2007
• Table 6 Express Coastal Liner Bergen-Kirkenes, 4th quarter 2007. The number of passengers