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The Norwegian Shipowners' Association

NSA

The Norwegian Shipowners’ Association is a trade and employment organization representing 130 member companies in the intercontinental, regional and offshore shipping segments.

Lobbying Activity

Meeting with Łukasz Kohut (Member of the European Parliament)

25 Nov 2025 · Norway - European Union relations

Response to EU industrial maritime strategy

28 Jul 2025

The Norwegian Shipowners Association (NSA) appreciates the opportunity to provide feedback on the European Commissions initiative to develop a Maritime Industrial Strategy. NSA represents 130 members with 1400 ships and rigs operating around the globe. Measured in fleet value, the Norwegian fleet is the second largest in Europe. Shipping is vital for Europes energy security, supply chain security and food security. More than 50 % of value of goods transported to the EU and more than 40 % of exports from the EU is transported by ship. Almost 90 % of the EUs external freight trade is seaborne. Shipping plays a key role in the energy security of the continent as 46 % of the gas imports and 88 % of crude oil imports to the EU are carried out by sea. Nearly 90 % of transports relating to defence from Europe, including personnel, vehicles, and goods, rely on sea transport. Yet, Europes share of the global fleet decreased from around 40 % in 2017 to 33.6 % today . The Norwegian fleet is included in this number, despite Norway not being a member of the European Union. The Norwegian maritime cluster in general and the Norwegian merchant fleet in particular are integral parts of the broader EU maritime cluster. Norway greatly increases the competencies, capabilities and size of the European maritime sector, to the benefit of the security of Europe, in particular EU energy security and supply chain security. The Norwegian Shipowners Association believes that the main goal of the EU Industrial Maritime Strategy should be the strengthening of the European maritime cluster and increasing the global share of the European-controlled fleet. Hence, there is a need for targeted measures and pinpointing the exact goals of the strategy. The Industrial Maritime Strategy needs to ensure that it is possible to operate shipping activities from Europe. The Draghi report highlights how tax schemes in other countries have made it more attractive to run shipping operations from outside Europe, creating a market imbalance. In an increasingly competitive global market - where favourable tax regimes and state support in non-European countries are attracting shipping companies - there is a pressing need for coordinated policies that promote fleet ownership and management from within Europe. Failing to do this, risks undermining Europes maritime autonomy and long-term economic and security interests. Maintaining control over a significant portion of the global fleet ensures that critical supply chains remain resilient and less vulnerable to geopolitical disruptions. It also supports high-quality employment and maritime innovation within the EU/EEA area. Moreover, a larger proportion of the global fleet on European hands allows the EU to carry greater weight in international negotiations concerning global environmental and safety standards, contributing to higher standards while promoting fair competition. In the call for evidence, several aspects of shipping are highlighted, but there is no recognition of the value of the transport of goods and shipping itself, and how it forms an essential part of the value chain This risks overlooking the real value of shipping for the European economy, and the contribution of shipping to the achievement of stated EU political goals of competitiveness, decarbonization and security of supply.
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Response to Rules for the administration of shipping companies by administering authorities under the EU Emissions Trading System

28 Sept 2023

The Norwegian Shipowners Association supports the proposed model for assigning responsibility for ETS obligations. Compared to earlier models considered, this model defines a clearer chain of responsibility, while maintaining a degree of flexibility between parties. As to the draft Article 1 par. 2 we support having a mechanism which clearly indicates that the shipping company is mandated by the shipowner. However, it is not clear to us what the legal consequences are for the shipowner if the shipping company fails to fulfill its obligations. Our understanding is that the ETS obligation in these situations lies with the shipowner. However, we believe a clarification is needed in this respect to avoid uncertainty.
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Response to Climate change mitigation and adaptation taxonomy

18 Dec 2020

The Norwegian Shipowners’ Association (NSA), consisting of 130 shipping companies controlling a fleet of approximately 1400 vessels, appreciates the opportunity to comment on the draft delegated act and relevant parts of the annexes. The NSA strongly supports the inclusion of shipping in the EU Taxonomy. Access to green capital is crucial for Norwegian and European shipowners, who have set ambitious climate goals and are leading the way in transforming the sector. We want the classification to provide a good basis for financing the development of new technology and reducing emissions. Access to finance is also essential for securing the competitiveness of the European shipping sector while taking these steps. The NSA welcomes the proposed technical screening criteria (TSC) and considers them a good starting point. We would, however, recommend several adjustments and clarifications. 1. A broader and clearer definition of maritime activity European shipping is characterized by a great diversity in ship types, sizes, ranges and activities. The current TSC ‘description of activity’ refers broadly to "transport of freight" and "transport of passengers». To avoid uncertainty about eligibility, we would propose a more granular definition that makes explicit mention of the whole maritime service segment, including offshore vessels, which are of particular importance to our members. We note that under the NACE code 50.2 provided by the European Commission, Norway includes offshore vessels explicitly in sub-section 50.204, but we would still recommend a mention of this and other vessel types in text. 2. Removing link to cargo-carried It is important, on principle, that shipping is assessed on the basis of its own transformation and contribution to emission reductions. Ships have multiple areas of use and a mix of cargoes. Ships built to carry dry cargoes can carry both coal and grain, and ships built for wet cargoes can carry both oil and other liquid raw materials. Cargoes are also largely controlled by demand. Tying the financing of the ship to cargo over a long lifetime will be practically demanding and difficult to enforce and may lead to unintended consequences like cargo being transferred to less efficient modes of transport. 3. Additional metrics Exclusively using EEDI to screen for environmental performance will in principle favor ships based on design criteria and not take energy efficiency into account through efficient operation of the ship. We therefore recommend that alternative metrics such as EEOI be added, or other pathways (demonstrating significant life-time reductions or most sustainable mode). For sailing ships without EEDI, it should be possible to use EEXI. 4. An achievable hybrid criterion until 2025 Given currently available technology and availability of renewable fuels, only a very limited number of ships operating under very specific conditions and over short distances would be able to meet the 50% criterion in the pre-2025 period. We recommend the threshold be lowered to maintain incentives for a larger share of best performers and to stimulate the investments already being made into hybrid technologies. -- The NSA is a member of the European Community Shipowners’ Association (ECSA) and refers to its joint submission, which includes a more detailed description of issues covered here and a proposal for in-text amendments.
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Meeting with Alisa Tiganj (Cabinet of Commissioner Violeta Bulc)

22 May 2018 · maritime issues

Meeting with Friedrich-Nikolaus von Peter (Cabinet of Commissioner Violeta Bulc)

21 Sept 2017 · Meeting with the CEO to discuss the state aid guidelines for maritime transport

Meeting with Friedrich-Nikolaus von Peter (Cabinet of Commissioner Violeta Bulc)

21 Sept 2017 · Meeting with CEO Mr Sturla Henriksen

Meeting with Silvia Bartolini (Cabinet of Vice-President Miguel Arias Cañete)

28 Feb 2017 · Shipping industry & process in IMO

Meeting with Friedrich-Nikolaus von Peter (Cabinet of Commissioner Violeta Bulc)

25 Feb 2016 · possible visit to Norway

Meeting with Friedrich-Nikolaus von Peter (Cabinet of Commissioner Violeta Bulc)

15 Jul 2015 · Meeting with Norwegian Shipowners' Association