The size of the Norwegian-controlled international fleet has fallen for the fourth year in a row.
As of 1 January 2024, the fleet consisted of 1,585 ships of 43m dwt, compared with 1,634 ships of 45.6m dwt a year earlier, according to the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association annual report.
In 2020, the fleet was made up of 1,804 ships with a total tonnage of 50m dwt.
Norway is the fifth-largest shipping nation in the world after China, Greece, the US and Japan, according to the association.
The average age of the fleet is 12 years, compared with 9.9 years in 2017.
All segments were reduced except passenger ships.
The segment with the highest tonnage is gas carriers (7.7m dwt) followed by dry cargo vessels, shuttle tankers and storage vessels, bulk ships and chemical tankers.
Dry cargo (529) and offshore (462) have the highest number of vessels.
Norwegian shipowners’ orderbook rose by almost 40% in last year, to 113 from 81 ships, including 47 dry cargo ships, 30 LNG carriers and 24 offshore service vessels.
The value of the newbuildings is around $10bn.
The association has appointed Viggo Bondi interim chief executive from 1 April.
It had earlier announced that current chief executive Harald Solberg will join the Federation of Norwegian Industries as its new CEO on 1 May.
