Maritime Policy and Markets

The section's work related to maritime industry policy includes shipping companies, shipyards and maritime equipment and service providers.

The section is responsible for the grant scheme for the employment of seafarers and the Ministry's work in connection with the tonnage tax regime available for shipping companies.

Several Ministries are responsible for ocean-related industries, and the responsibility for coordinating the follow-up of the Government's various ocean initiatives has been delegated to the Section for Maritime Policy and Markets.

Furthermore, the section has responsibility for the Maritime instruments under the Research Council of Norway, Innovation Norway and GIEK's building loan guarantee scheme for ships. The section works with framework conditions for Maritime Industry, including policies for Short Sea Shipping, climate and environment, and education and skills. The section is responsible for the Government's strategic council for Maritime development - MARUT.

The section for Maritime Policies and Markets aims to further develop international framework conditions of importance to maritime industries, with particular focus on market access, both in bilateral shipping agreements, in free trade agreements and in the WTO.

The section has active dialogue with other maritime nations, and is working to promote Norwegian maritime business interests in other countries and is also responsible for bilateral maritime initiatives such as maritime working groups, including Nordic and European. The section is responsible for the Ministry's work with the EU's Maritme Policy and is responsible for Norwegian participation in the OECD Shipbuilding Working Group.