Safety Work at The Norwegian Shipowners' Association
The Norwegian Shipowners' Association works to ensure that Norwegian shipping companies operate quality shipping and are leaders in the development of new technology that promotes safe and environmentally friendly ships in the future.
Safety has always been fundamental and important for the shipping industry, and it is in the shipping company's own interest that crew, ship, and cargo arrive without accidents and losses. The shipping industry was one of the first industries to implement comprehensive international safety standards set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Safety on board ships received extra focus after the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, and the maritime industry is today the most thoroughly regulated industry globally.
International co-operation is cruical
Our members are part of a global industry and operate ships on all the world's oceans, so an international regulatory framework is crucial for safe shipping. The Shipowners' Association actively works in all international forums that set safety and new technology rules. Our cooperation with the Norwegian Maritime Authority towards the IMO is important to ensure a regulatory framework that sets high standards for shipping globally.
At the same time, cooperation and membership in our umbrella organizations, the European Community Shipowners' Association (ECSA) and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), are crucial to promoting the industry's positions on maritime policy and regulations in both the EU and IMO.
Mobile offshore units
For mobile offshore units, the safety work differs somewhat from ordinary shipping as large parts of this membership are covered by national regulations, including the Working Environment Act. The Norwegian Shipowners' Association participates in tripartite arenas where central safety issues are addressed, isuch as the Safety Forum and the Regulatory Forum. Much of the material content in the functional regulations for mobile installations is derived from industry standards, including NORSOK. The Shipowners' Association, together with Offshore Norge and Norsk Industri, are owners of NORSOK and actively work in shaping the content of relevant standards.
The Norwegian Shipowners' Association believes that the future winners in international shipping will be leaders in technology, digitization, and have high quality in their climate, environmental, and safety work.
