Maritime transport, Q3 2016

The statistics show that the transport of goods by sea decreased or remained unchanged for most load types in the 3rd quarter of 2016 compared to the same period in 2015. Totally liquid bulk transport was reduced by 19 per cent to 19.5 million tonnes. Large liquid bulk ports such as Tønsberg, Karmsund and Sør-Varanger all experienced a decline. At the country's largest liquid bulk port, Bergen, liquid bulk transport was unchanged. The total transport of dry bulk increased with 2.1 per cent. Narvik port, which is the largest port of transportation of dry bulk cargo, mainly ore, transportation increased 17 per cent compared to the 3rd quarter of 2015, while Sør-Varanger port experienced a corresponding decline due to the cessation of ore production.

Decrease in volume of container goods

A total of 1.4 million tonnes of cargo was transported in containers in the 3rd quarter of 2016. This was a decrease of 2.8 per cent compared to the 3rd quarter of 2015. In total, 185 800 containers were transported with and without cargo; 7 760 fewer than in the same period last year. Oslo, Larvik and Kristiansand are the largest container ports, and they transported in total 601 000 tonnes of cargo and 81 400 containers.

Fewer passengers on international ferries

In total, 2.3 million passengers travelled on international ferries in the 3rd quarter of 2016. This is 42 000 or 1.8 per cent fewer passengers than in the same quarter of 2015. Transportation of cars, motorcycles and accompanying trailers/caravans and buses with ferries to and from abroad was virtually unchanged.

Fewer travellers with the Coastal Express Liner

During the 3rd quarter of 2016, nearly 145 700 passengers travelled with the Coastal Express Liner, a decrease of 0.7 per cent compared to the 3rd quarter of 2015. In July and September, the number of passengers decreased by 3 400 or 3.5 per cent, while in August the number of passengers increased by 2 400 or 4.7 per cent.