“Ambassador, Godfrey Cooray (left) with Harald Solberg (Pic courtesy Sri Lanka embassy in Oslo)

Chief Executive Officer of Norwegian Shipowners’ Association Harald Solberg has expressed interest in entering into an agreement with Sri Lanka in the area of ship crew operations. Norway already has agreements with Asian countries, including the Philippines in the field, the Sri Lankan embassy in Oslo said in a statement issued recently.

The following is the text of statement issued by the Lankan embassy in Norway: “Ambassador, Godfrey Cooray had a meeting with the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association on the 10.08.2020. The Second Secretary Ms. Samanmali Atalugama and Business Development Officer Ms. Rosie Jones attended the meeting. This meeting was held at the Chamber of the Shipowners Association.

Harald Solberg, Chief Executive Officer, and Ms. Helene Tofte, Director, International Cooperation and Climate have represented the Norwegian Ship Owners’ Association.

Harald Solberg had given a brief introduction on the Ship Owners’ Association and stated that it is a trade and employment organization for Norwegian controlled companies within the shipping and offshore industry established in 1909. The primary fields are national and international industry policies, employer issues, competence and recruitment, environmental issues and innovation in addition to safety at sea.

Cooray has highlighted that Sri Lanka has a huge potential on the Ship and Boat Industry. Further he conveyed that there are many people and Private sector companies who can afford maintaining Ships in Sri Lanka as “ABC Shipping, Ceyline Group, COSCO Shipping Line Lanka, Sri Lanka Shipping Company, Sea Horse Shipping, etc.

Ambassador also stated that the trade is the engine of economic growth for any country. Therefore, countries around the world strive to improve cross border efficiencies and enable international trade to happen immaculately. The Government of Sri Lanka identified the need to reform its trade policies and practices to support a business-friendly environment, promote private sector growth and use the strategic position of Sri Lanka with the new concept of “Saubhagye Dakma” of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Cooray had emphasized the potential of Sri Lankan Shipping companies to involve in crew operations, supplying fuel, and other logistics during trans shipments.

He also stated that Sri Lanka encourages the international maritime organizations to get the advantage of the strategic location of international airports. Further, Sri Lanka was able to come to the aid of the international shipping community by being a safe location for facilitating the change of ships’ crew, which is critical for the safe operation of ships.

Harald Solberg expressed the interest of entering into an agreement in the area of crew operations of ships. Norway already has agreements with Asian countries as Philippines in this field.

Further Solberg explained that Norwegian shipowners, offshore enterprises and supplier companies are well positioned to take a larger role in the renewables market, including offshore wind and Battery Power.”