Together - shaping the future
Tradition and renewal
Based in Bergen – competing globally
The maritime industry has a long and proud tradition in Bergen. For generations shipping and affiliated activities have been the main drivers in the city’s business community. Its proximity to the sea and a long history as a cradle for coastal and international trade has been a foundation for creating opportunities for the maritime industries.
The maritime industry is Norway’s most global cluster of competence. It is robust and sustainable. This is due to entrepreneurship, knowledge, ambition and long-term commitment not limited to local perspectives. The Bergen community is characterized by a complete, dynamic and progressive cluster of industrial shipping, capable of generating spin-off and new initiative.
However, times have changed. The development of technology and trading patterns has dramatically altered the conditions during the recent years. Globalization, fierce international competition and recurrent and irregular fluctuation characterize the world today. Through these changing conditions the maritime industry has proven to be adaptable, progressive and dynamic.
These core qualities are the driving force for success and sustainability. Tradition has provided Bergen with knowledge and experience. Changing markets and competition have made us competitive. For these reasons the maritime industry is still a mainstay in the region’s economy and will continue to be so in the foreseeable future.
The development of the industry has required substantial investment, guided by long-term strategies. Bergen’s strategic force stands out as “industrial shipping”. This is characterized by long-term contracts and customer relations and the development of new vessels to meet the market demands - brought out in close cooperation between ship owners, customers, designers and shipbuilders.
The interaction of maritime knowledge, experience and innovation makes Bergen a world-class maritime industry cluster.
We are based in Bergen, but competing worldwide - Our competitive edge is built on competence. The region’s competent operators attract customers
from all over the world. Our international customers’ demands for quality, environmental concern and efficiency set the standards for the shipping companies and the suppliers in the maritime cluster. Focusing on the customers regarding quality and service inspire loyal and extended relations robust to fierce global competition. These qualities characterize industrial shipping – as a common business approach and value platform for the maritime cluster in the region of Bergen.
The industrial shipping capital
Value creation of NOK 27 billion
A total turnover of NOK 80 billion gives the maritime industry an extensive economic impact. The region’s maritime companies generate a total of NOK 27 billion in valuecreation.
Bergen # 1 Bergen has the largest fleet under Norwegian control. Local companies control more than 1000 vessels with 510 under national flag and more than 530 under foreign registers (above 100 gross tons).
A complete maritime cluster The maritime industry defines all businesses that own, operate, design, build and supply equipment and specialized services to all types of vessels and floating devices. The region of Bergen has competitive businesses within all these segments.
90 % of the global transportation of cargo is on keel. Bergen-based shipping companies and suppliers are determined to meet the demands for more environmentally-friendly shipping.
20.814
The Navy
The maritime cluster in the region of Bergen employs a total of 20,814 persons. This includes 2,724 people in the navy.
The main Norwegian naval base is located in Bergen. As one of Europe’s most modern navies it possesses vital maritime and operational competence to handle challenges at sea.
Numbers based on the Menon Report. The complete report can be downloaded from menon.no
MARITIME BERGEN – a platform of cooperation
Norway’s largest port Bergen is the most visited cruise destination in Norway, with 338 calls in 2013. The port had the largest turnover of coastal and international cargo in 2012. The oil volume makes the Port of Bergen the largest in the Nordic region. The port district of Bergen was in 2012 the largest of total transports goods in domestic and foreign trade. The volume of the oil cargo makes the region of Bergen Scandinavia’s largest port.
Maritime Bergen forms a unity towards cooperation and common, coordinated effort between: Maritime Forum, Bergen Shipowners´ Association, Foundation Neptun, Bergen Commune, Bergen Chamber of commerce, Business Region Bergen, Bergen Shipbroker Association, YoungShip and Norwegian Naval forces, research and educational institutions and individual businesses.Common commitment provides joint strength. The participants are working towards the same goal with the same ambitions in: development of expertise and sharing of knowledge, recruitment towards the industry, making the industry visible and enhancing the reputation.
Industrial shipping Industrial shipping is defined by long-term strategies and the development of specialized vessels and products, customized to the market’s needs, achieved by collaborating with shipping companies, customers and suppliers as well as focusing on the technical and operational management of ships. This market adaptation and competence characterizes the maritime environment in Bergen and made the players world leading in both traditional and new markets.
A complete maritime cluster Maritime institutions
In terms of number of vessels, as well as tonnage Bergen ranks as the largest maritime city in Norway. The diverse maritime community is one of the most complete maritime clusters in the world - thus holds a strong position in the global maritime industry.
The region’s cluster can offer everything required to build and operate vessels of varying size and types. Apart from world-class shipping companies, Bergen offers the entire range of maritime services, with a particularly strong position within insurance and finance, as well as strong shipbuilding traditions and equipment suppliers that assert themselves in the global market.
Together, the players within the complex Bergen cluster contribute substantial values to society at large, in a local as well as national context. However, the essential sustainable basis is: The Bergen region offers content and complexity that makes the cluster unique.
Norwegian International Ship Register Classification companies Norwegian Sea Rescue Norwegian Church Abroad Norwegian Center of Maritime Medicine The Shipowners Association of Cargo Freighters
World leading shipowner companies Deep sea Short sea Offshore Seismic Subsea
Norwegian Navy
Ferries Oil export Cargo Cruise ships Short sea Oil bases
Shipyards Shipping Equipment Repair Construction
World leading research
Norwegian Naval Academy Navy Schools Management Headquarters
Norway’s largest port
Maritime industry
Christian Michelsen Institute of Research University of Bergen Norwegian School of Economics Bjerknes Center for Climate Research Institute of Marine Research
Maritime services Legal services Shipbrokers Vessel Consultants Marine Insurance Vessel Finance Ship Traders Travel Agency Ship management
Maritime studies
Norwegian Naval Academy University of Bergen Norwegian School of Economics University College of Bergen Norwegian Business School Bergen Maritime School
The unique combination of skilled seafarers, risk willing leaders, technological advanced ships and marine equipment, as well as an ability to innovate is what has created the Norwegian maritime industry
TogetHer - shaping the future
Maritime Bergen bergen@maritimt-forum.no Tel: 56 90 11 83 www.maritimebergen.no
T22744 www.creato.no
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Reve and Sasson 2012