Long before the oil age, Norway was synonymous with shipping. And it can be claimed that much about the way Norwegians approached their entry into and development of their place in the oil age has been shaped by the nation’s seafaring history. In this issue, which coincides with Nor-Shipping 2005, we touch on a few of the issues that the will be taken up as the participants meet to discuss and celebrate the industry.

We’ve spoken with Marianne Lie, Director General of the Norwegian Ship owners’ Association, about Norway’s role in a changing industry. Globalisation, increasing demands and government policies are only a few of the issues to keep in mind when thinking about the future of Norwegian shipping.

Looking across the globe, it’s not difficult to see that Asia is where the main shipbuilding activity in the world is taking place today. With South Korea at the top, followed by Japan, with China at third spot but slowly and firmly inching its way up the ladder, Asians have become the world’s shipbuilders, and we include a report that outlines their position.

Also, we have included a glimpse of one area where shipping and oil converge – floating production. Douglas-Westwood’s recently published World Floating Production Report indicates strong growth in FPS installations over the next five years, focusing on the FPS sector and FPS prospects by region.

Where the shore meets offshore is also in focus in this issue. In particular, Vestbase in Kristiansund, which this spring celebrates 25 years of operation. The past two decades have seen Vestbase grow into an impressive hub for activities in the Norwegian Sea – three decades if you consider the behind-the-scenes negotiations and planning. When thinking about Halten Bank, we most often think of Draugen or Ormen Lange or Kristin, but all of these depend on services provided by suppliers located at Vestbase.

This issue also includes our focus on Russia and Finland. Russia’s massive Shtokman field deserves, for many reasons, our attention. In some ways the future of the industry in the Barents Sea depends on a successful development of the field. Finland’s role in the industry the gamut of supporting technologies, from steel to consulting services.

Be sure to look into the conference reviews, which includes OTC .05 in Houston and the Offshore Cranes Conference in Stavanger. You never know who you might see.

Most of all, we would like to extend our welcome all those coming to attend the Nor-Shipping 2005 conference and hope your stay in the Oslo area is both pleasant and productive.