The Norwegian Merchant Fleet

Updated: 1 February 2023

Next update: 1 February 2024

Vessels in the Norwegian Merchant Fleet
Vessels in the Norwegian Merchant Fleet
2022
1 592
The merchant fleet
The merchant fleet
2022Per Cent Change
2021 - 20222017 - 2022
All
Vessels1 592-0.710.5
Tonnage, measured (gross tonnes)19 009 029-1.313.2
NOR - Norwegian Ordinary Ship Register
Vessels900-2.31.7
Tonnage, measured (gross tonnes)2 040 314-4.33.1
NIS - Norwegian International Ship Register
Vessels6921.524.5
Tonnage, measured (gross tonnes)16 968 715-1.014.6
Explanation of symbols

Selected tables and charts from this statistics

  • The merchant fleet by register, ownership and year
    The merchant fleet by register, ownership and year1 2
    Vessels registered in Norwegian ship registers totalNorwegian International Ship RegisterNorwegian Ordinary Ship Register
    VesselsTonnage, measured (gross tonnes)Norwegian ownedForeign ownedVesselsTonnage, measured (gross tonnes)
    VesselsTonnage, measured (gross tonnes)VesselsTonnage, measured (gross tonnes)
    20191 51418 016 96749211 839 4401334 276 3328891 901 195
    20201 57119 259 13448512 074 9961705 167 9529162 016 186
    20213 1 60319 266 62353811 903 7761445 231 4439212 131 404
    20221 59219 009 02954911 812 1011435 156 6149002 040 314
    1Norwegian registered vessels (NOR/NIS) of 100 gross tonnes and more for transport of passengers and goods
    2Norwegian Maritime Directorate and The Norwegian ship registers NIS/NOR .
    3New primary data source.
    Explanation of symbols
  • The merchant fleet by register, ownership and type of vessel
    The merchant fleet by register, ownership and type of vessel1 2
    2022
    Norwegian Ordinary Ship RegisterNorwegian International Ship Registered
    Norwegain ownedForeign ownedNorwegian ownedForeign owned
    VesselsTonnage, measured (gross tonnes)VesselsTonnage, measured (gross tonnes)VesselsTonnage, measured (gross tonnes)VesselsTonnage, measured (gross tonnes)
    Oil tanker1715 76900462 811 25314896 909
    Chemical tankers56 36600951 734 06335791 922
    Gas tanker11 6870029979 150161 404 343
    Floating production/storage vessel00000000
    Tank barge00000000
    Foodstuff tanker53 099000000
    Other tanker24 611000000
    Bulk vessel2123 18500681 872 35317570 699
    Combination vessel23 89400970 795130 521
    Sand/rock dumping vessel00000000
    Fish carrier/Well boat109234 848310 793416 50553 433
    General cargo vessel141144 13711 09497955 20411158 326
    Container carrier38 1660023790 61617 409
    Dry cargo barge00000000
    Ro-Ro freight67 386008366 5387299 257
    Frozen/refrigerated vessel310 07515 9431348 99126 528
    Vehicle carrier0000191 239 4286413 248
    Combined general cargo carrier00000000
    Barge carrier00000000
    Other dry cargo vessels00000000
    Passenger ships173186 3601177243 5304133 142
    Car Ferry245538 62613130000
    Ro/Ro-passenger carrier21164 32500211 78200
    Cruise ship0000007317 240
    Other passenger vessels2283 327337 928334 03200
    Offshore supply and anchor handling vessels94449 6711258 87289450 3831151 252
    Offshore service vessels518 17600621 662116 697
    Drill units00000000
    Offshore survey/seismographic research00000000
    Cable vessel00000000
    Pipe layer00000000
    Andre offshoreskip00000000
    Tug and pusher vessel00000000
    Salvage and rescue vessel00000000
    Fishing vessel00000000
    Trawler00000000
    Fish factory00000000
    Hunting vessel00000000
    Fishery protection00000000
    Research vessel00000000
    Dredger00000000
    Icebreaker00000000
    Lighthouse vessel00000000
    Crane ship00000000
    Pilot ship00000000
    Inspection vessel/patrol ship00000000
    Work ship321 4850036365 816555 688
    Other support vessel00000000
    Yacht00000000
    Lifeboat00000000
    Submarine00000000
    Floating units00000000
    Training vessel00000000
    Landing craft00000000
    Unknown00000000
    1Norwegian registered vessels (NOR/NIS) of 100 gross tonnes and more for transport of passengers and goods.
    2Source: The Norwegian Ship Registers NIS/NOR.
    Explanation of symbols
  • Merchant fleet by register, ownership and size of vessel
    Merchant fleet by register, ownership and size of vessel1 2
    2022
    Norwegian Ordinary Ship RegisterNorwegian International Ship Register
    Norwegian ownedForeign ownedNorwegian ownedForeign owned
    VesselsTonnage, measured (gross tonnes)VesselsTonnage, measured (gross tonnes)VesselsTonnage, measured (gross tonnes)VesselsTonnage, measured (gross tonnes)
    Unknown gt.00000000
    0 - 24 gt.00000000
    25 - 99 gt.00000000
    100 - 199 gt.14521 2541177113500
    200 - 299 gt.7718 749000000
    300 - 399 gt.4315 173131313831349
    400 - 499 gt.6731 125000031 455
    500 - 999 gt.11991 0530043 0501830
    1 000 - 1 499 gt.6681 23722 50356 64700
    1 500 - 1 999 gt.4984 30500813 42323 488
    2 000 - 2 499 gt.47106 334001637 92500
    2 500 - 2 999 gt.71199 6950042118 647411 581
    3 000 - 3 999 gt.62221 18813 45761217 035619 864
    4 000 - 4 999 gt.47211 067836 20340178 507419 505
    5 000 - 5 999 gt.24130 238527 90730167 50615 421
    6 000 - 6 999 gt.21135 91016 63223145 743640 268
    7 000 - 7 999 gt.18135 0610021157 009858 475
    8 000 - 8 999 gt.758 24900760 30118 829
    9 000 - 9 999 gt.0000767 611218 264
    10 000 - 10 999 gt.110 18100332 15600
    11 000 - 11 999 gt.556 702222 40920237 18900
    12 000 - 12 999 gt.000010123 921224 595
    13 000 - 13 999 gt.0000455 57200
    14 000 - 14 999 gt.0000114 740457 350
    15 000 - 19 999 gt.469 273115 51926458 1767128 263
    20 000 - 24 999 gt.00009195 311488 445
    25 000 - 29 999 gt.127 16400391 128 31712339 277
    30 000 - 34 999 gt.134 23100581 888 29715490 635
    35 000 - 39 999 gt.136 82200441 629 08515539 454
    40 000 - 44 999 gt.00008347 704144 866
    45 000 - 49 999 gt.00006283 06210478 506
    50 000 - 59 999 gt.000011618 5722117 062
    60 000 - 69 999 gt.000012802 47115995 907
    70 000 - 79 999 gt.2150 183004305 6804296 186
    80 000 - 89 999 gt.0000211 791 6772164 786
    90 000 - 99 999 gt.00005457 7673286 480
    100 000 - 149 999 gt.00001111 1098916 473
    150 000 - 199 999 gt.00001157 37300
    200 000 - 249 999 gt.00000000
    250 000 - 299 999 gt.00000000
    300 000 gt. and over00000000
    1Norwegian registered vessels (NOR/NIS) of 100 gross tonnes and more for transport of passengers and goods
    2Source: The Norwegian Ship Registers NIS/NOR
    Explanation of symbols
  • Merchant fleet by register, ownership and age
    Merchant fleet by register, ownership and age
    2022
    Norwegian Ordinary Ship RegisterNorwegian International Ship Register
    Norwegain ownedForeign ownedNorwegian ownedForeign owned
    VesselsTonnage, measured (gross tonnes)VesselsTonnage, measured (gross tonnes)VesselsTonnage, measured (gross tonnes)VesselsTonnage, measured (gross tonnes)
    04- years139378 949640 444552 065 308431 619 356
    5-9 years115299 054625 6061143 231 984301 246 611
    10-14 years124455 322419 2731492 739 649331 239 152
    15-19 years76337 38015 8041202 471 88416662 976
    20-24 years6198 449117755844 15714365 062
    25-29 years35103 234222 40922269 38433 841
    30 years and over328252 80621 40734189 735419 616
    Unknown age00000000
    Explanation of symbols
  • Merchant fleet by register, ownership and home port
    Merchant fleet by register, ownership and home port
    2022
    Norwegian Ordinary Ship RegisterNorwegian International Ship Register
    Norwegain ownedForeign ownedNorwegian ownedForeign owned
    VesselsTonnage, measured (gross tonnes)VesselsTonnage, measured (gross tonnes)VesselsTonnage, measured (gross tonnes)VesselsTonnage, measured (gross tonnes)
    Åkrehamn56 30300523 54300
    Ålesund78189 158420 96127156 105415 928
    Arendal216 72000185 7455114 796
    Askerøy00000000
    Bergen112152 671312 9642264 465 605491 759 435
    Bodø2617 297000000
    Brønnøysund917 296000000
    Brevik1498000000
    Drøbak2761000000
    Drammen23 822000000
    Egersund000012427 41515525 532
    Farsund00000000
    Flekkefjord290200513 94800
    Florø76154 490131335 7321830
    Fosnavåg2196 967428 1601271 62039 051
    Fredrikstad3544000000
    Grimstad417 0070013436 38212 997
    Halden2388000000
    Hammerfest5055 02629 64013 6502243 194
    Hamar1261000000
    Harstad1816 561000000
    Holmestrand1534000000
    Haugesund3263 32000491 752 59913603 705
    Horten1039 865000000
    Hvitsten00000000
    Hamnvik00000000
    Kopervik41 79600512 10800
    Kirkenes00000000
    Kragerø31 300000000
    Kristiansand S10106 60929 598963 24139 134
    Kristiansund N2414 04211 409612 5272824
    Langesund00000000
    Levanger00000000
    Lillesand00000000
    Longyearbyen122614 324428 08100
    Lyngør00000000
    Larvik00000000
    Melbu00000000
    Mandal419 281000016 372
    Mo00000000
    Molde2742 508000000
    Måløy68 762000000
    Moss15 505000000
    Mosjøen00000000
    Myre26 221000000
    Namsos1210 414000000
    Narvik1323 169000000
    Odda1343000000
    Oslo27161 45400602 278 833281 142 500
    Porsgrunn13 221000000
    Risør00000000
    Rørvik1129 835000000
    Sandnes414 9660013 63900
    Sarpsborg1133000000
    Sandefjord465 206000000
    Sigerfjord00000000
    Skudeneshavn1482 2950045286 270114 506
    Skien42 473000000
    Sortland36 264000000
    Sandnessjøen2635 405000000
    Steinkjer00000000
    Stokmarknes715 443000000
    Stavanger82104 08615 165441 526 4686282 032
    Svolvær54 22400128 33100
    Tønsberg137700006411 906
    Trondheim67112 560001256 71500
    Tromsø55196 338322 586873 544313 872
    Tvedestrand00000000
    Vardø00000000
    Vadsø1347000000
    Explanation of symbols
  • Vessels in Norwegian ship registers not in the merchant fleet, by type of vessel
    Vessels in Norwegian ship registers not in the merchant fleet, by type of vessel
    2022
    Norwegian Ordinary Ship RegisterNorwegian International Ship Register
    VesselsTonnage, measured (gross tonnes)VesselsTonnage, measured (gross tonnes)
    Oil tanker181 07300
    Chemical tankers0000
    Gas tanker0000
    Floating production/storage vessel191 15300
    Tank barge186700
    Foodstuff tanker0000
    Other tanker27300
    Bulk vessel0000
    Combination vessel0000
    Sand/rock dumping vessel0000
    Fish carrier/Well boat1320700
    General cargo vessel934 72200
    Container carrier0000
    Dry cargo barge250330 09600
    Ro-Ro freight0000
    Frozen/refrigerated vessel0000
    Vehicle carrier0000
    Combined general cargo carrier15000
    Barge carrier132900
    Other dry cargo vessels38600
    Passenger ships57516 59100
    Car Ferry181 21200
    Ro/Ro-passenger carrier0000
    Cruise ship0000
    Other passenger vessels2071400
    Offshore supply and anchor handling vessels0000
    Offshore service vessels0000
    Drill units4175 52800
    Offshore survey/seismographic research69 20222236 080
    Cable vessel2867445 119
    Pipe layer0000
    Andre offshoreskip0000
    Tug and pusher vessel16646 25132 083
    Salvage and rescue vessel4320 08000
    Fishing vessel4 781410 95400
    Trawler5469 90900
    Fish factory344800
    Hunting vessel61 90900
    Fishery protection0000
    Research vessel2441 376310 752
    Dredger82 46600
    Icebreaker248900
    Lighthouse vessel31 1591526
    Crane ship89 213259 701
    Pilot ship461 90200
    Inspection vessel/patrol ship121 02416 074
    Work ship2 95414 386122 263
    Other support vessel221 812222 170
    Yacht10 16225 57800
    Lifeboat2000
    Submarine0000
    Floating units63420 3755221 902
    Training vessel435 99200
    Landing craft0000
    Unknown461 81200
    Explanation of symbols

About the statistics

The statistics show the size and structure of the Norwegian Merchant Fleet. The Norwegian Merchant Fleet consists of vessels for transport, with a gross tonnage of 100 tonnes or more, registered in NIS and NOR.

Ship register

Norway has two ship registers; The Norwegian International Ship Register (NIS) and The Norwegian Ship Register (NOR). NIS was established in 1987 in order to improve the competitiveness of Norwegian ships. NIS is also open to foreign owned ships. NOR is primarily limited to Norwegian ships operating in Norwegian waters.

Gross tonnage

Gross tonnage is a function of the moulded volume of all enclosed spaces of the ship.

Classification of ship types has changed from 2007 and on. Through 2006 ships in the merchant fleet was split between wet bulk and dry bulk. Wet bulk includes gas tankers, chemical tankers, crude oil tankers, product tankers and other wet bulk tankers. Dry bulk includes combined tankers (OBO; Oil Bulk Ore, and OO; Oil Ore), dry cargo, passengers/ferries, general cargo, offshore supply/standby vessels. The new standard, Classification of type of vessel 2008 , in use from 2007, does not constitute a change in which vessels are included in the merchant fllet.

Name: The Norwegian Merchant Fleet
Topic: Transport and tourism

1 February 2024

Division for Energy, Environmental and Transport Statistics

By home port of vessel.

Year

Not relevant

Production data are kept in SAS and stored long term in ASCII format.

The purpose is to measure the Norwegian registered merchant fleet's size and structure. Until 1957 the statistics comprised of all vessels required to be registered according to Norwegian law - that is, all vessels of steam and motor engine of 25 gross tons and above, and sail ships of 50 gross tons and above. The statistics comprised therefore of many vessels not included in the merchant fleet, e.g. all fishing vessels, whale catching vessels and other specialized vessels (towing, rescue and salvage, ice brakers, cabel laying vessels, and so forth) of 25 (for sail ships 50) gross tons. In 1957 all the Nordic countries agreed to limit the merchant fleet to vessels carrying cargo and passengers of 100 gross tons and above.

The statistics are used by National Accounts, governmental departments, shipping enterprises, research institutions and universities. The statistics are also used by individuals with interest in Norwegian shipping.

No external users have access to the statistics and analyses before they are published and accessible simultaneously for all users on ssb.no at 8 am. Prior to this, a minimum of three months' advance notice is given in the Statistics Release Calendar. This is one of Statistics Norway’s key principles for ensuring that all users are treated equally.

The register was until 2001 used for collection of data in the survey Domestic Maritime Transportation

Arrivals of vessels at Norwegian and foreign ports is an additional source of information on ships registered in NIS.

The Statistics Act $2-2 and 3-2

Not relevant

The statistics was through the year 2009 based on The Maritime Directorate's control system for Norwegian registered vessels, and included all merchant vessels of 100 gross tons and above for passenger and goods transport. The statistics do not include fishing vessels and special vessels such as towing, rescue and salvage, ice breakers, research/weather/seismic vessels, cable laying vessels, drilling vessels and so forth. Statistics over fish catching vessels are published on Fishing and fish farming

All vessels in NIS and NOR must hold certificates issued by the directorate

Through 2008 data was supplied by The Maritime Directorate who through the control system manages certificates needed for the various types of traffic. All vessels in NIS and NOR must hold certificates issued by the directorate. The data supplied to Statistiscs Norway was based on a criteria of valid main certificate in parts of the year.

Starting with the year of 2009 data is collected directly from Skipsregistrene NIS/NOR. This change in sourcing does not impact the type of vessels included in the merchant fleet.

With the shift to Skipsregistrene NIS/NOR, as data supplier, the requirement of valid main certificate is abandoned.

The statistics is a total count of all Norwegian registered vessels given the limitations described earlier.

With Skipsregistrene NIS/NOR as new data supplier in 2009, all vessels in the registrer can be found in tables of Statbank. Main focus is nevertheless on the merchant fleet.

The situation described in the data is as of 31st of december.

The information on the vessels are transmitted electronically, and are adapted to the computer system in Statistics Norway.

Statistics Norway makes few changes on submitted data beyond checking classification codes. In the event that these are found to be wrong or missing the data supplier is consulted. Tabulated data is compared to previous years.

Data is receieved with the vessel types given by The Maritime Directorate which are coded into the standard used by Statistics Norway

No computations are made beyond those required for aggregate numbers.

Not relevant
Not relevant

The extraction of data from The Norwegian Maritime Directorate control system was altered from 2000 and onwards to include only vessels with valid main certificate.

Starting with 2009, data supplier is Skipsregistrene NIS/NOR. This means that the requirement of a valid main certificate is abandoned.

In May 2011 there were discovered errors in classifications for the posted figures for the years 2007-2009. For the merchant fleet in total the error was limited to two vessels in 2007 and 2008, and eight vessels in 2009. The error affected all categories. Revised figures were posted in Statbank while auxiliary tables in the main posting are left unchanged.

Beginning from 2017, the Norwegian Maritime Directorate (SDIR) decided to categorize "construction ships" as part of the Norwegian merchant fleet. This originally led to a deviation between the figures published by SDIR and Statistics Norway for 2017 by 41 vessels. The deviation was corrected on February 1, 2019.

A possible error is deviation of procedure regarding the extraction of data from the Norwegian Maritime Directorate control system, but this is assumed to be small. Errors in data processing can occur if new codes or other non-defined information isn't discovered, and may be wrongly processed. The data has not been changed after receiving the data from the Norwegian Maritime Directorate.

The above source of error pertains to previous data supplier. This will also apply to Skipsregistren NIS/NOR.

The statistics are a full count of all Norwegian registered vessels with the restrictions mentioned in the chapter about production.

The quality of the statistics depends on the quality in the control system at the Norwegian Maritime Directorate. The control system is assumed to be of good quality.

Not relevant

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