NORWEGIAN-FLAG MERCHANT FLEET EXPANDS
The Norwegian-flag shipping register, third-largest in the world, said Thursday added 70 vessels in 2000, for a total of 1,730 ships.
“Shipping is now Norway’s largest exporter of services, and the second-largest export industry as a whole, after oil and gas,” said Leif Terje Loddesol, president of the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association.
Owners of Norwegian-flag vessels have signed 126 newbuilding contracts, 39 in Norway, 28 in Japan, and 22 in South Korea, and 37 spread among other nations.