Norwegian Mariners on Norwegian Ships

[ombugge]

It is a fact that Norway is a high cost country and Norwegian seafarers are not able to compete with seafarers from low cost countries purely on costs.

What to do to maintain a stock of Norwegian Mariners to secure a supply of qualified personnel with seafaring experienced for the many Norwegian based Shipowning, Operating and Management companies that still exists?
Familiar problem for US mariners?

Here is the solution chosen by Norwegian Maritime Authorities, Shipowners Association and Seamen’s Unions in cooperation:
https://www.maritimt-forum.no/maritim-klynge/utdanning

67 per cent of employed seafarers worked on ships registered in NOR in 2018, 14 per cent worked on ships registered in NIS, and the rest (19%) on ships registered abroad. In such a globalized industry as the maritime industry, it is natural to assume that the number of Norwegian seafarers will continue to decrease if the positions can be replaced by reasonable, foreign labour. In addition, it is expected that work tasks will become more automated, which will further reduce the demand for Norwegian seafarers, especially in subordinate positions. On the other hand, it has been stated that the measures the government has initiated with an active policy to get the shipping companies to flag their ships home to Norway have been successful, and that the net salary scheme has been important in maintaining the number of Norwegian seafarers.

If Norway is to continue to be a world leader in the maritime industry, it is crucial to have a competitive maritime policy and an aggressive competence policy. There is broad agreement in the industry that practical and operational experience from the sea represents a critical type of competence for the entire industry - also in the land-based parts of the industry.

[boatlover]

The answers to the questions you pose would be very interesting. I don’t see the answer in that link. What is a “net salary scheme”? and can you explain the difference between NOR and NIS. I understand one is a domestic registry and one is international. Is there a detailed explanation somewhere in english? Not finding one easily.

[PaddyWest2012]

@boatlover

I understand one is a domestic registry and one is international.

Is that sort of like the new USVI flag registry that was being talked about on here a while back? I still haven’t wrapped my head around that one yet…

[boatlover]

yes I believe the USVI thing took inspiration from the Norwegian model

[ombugge]

Here is the basic explanation of the difference between NOR and NIS registers:
https://www.sdir.no/en/shipping/registration-of-commercial-vessels-in-nisnor/what-distinguishes-nis-from-nor/
For those want more details:
https://www.sdir.no/en/
FYI: All official publications from NMA are available in English

PS> NO NIS IS NOT A FOC REGISTER by IMO definition, no matter what is the popular opinion here. It was established to COMPETE with FOC registers, however.