The Norwegian Shipowners' Association was founded in 1909 and the objectives of the NSA are to protect its members’ interests with regard to industrial and employment issues, and to play an active role in respect of shared concerns in the industry. For more than 150 years, Norway has been a world-leading shipping nation. We are perhaps now stronger than ever and have great opportunities for contributing in new and impressive ways to Norwegian value creation, employment and prosperity. Today Norway has one of the world's largest and most modern fleets, and also one of the most advanced and specialised. The NSA has 160 members and some 1,900 Norwegiancontrolled ships and rigs are operating around the globe. They are engaged in a broad spectrum of activities, from the transport of cars, refrigerated goods and chemicals between Asia and America, to short-sea shipping in Europe and in Norway, and advanced offshore operations in the Arctic. The main remits and strategic goals of the NSA can be summarised in five points: • To ensure that ownership and operations based in Norway are attractive and competitive for our members. • To ensure national and international frameworks that promote our members’ profitability and competitiveness. • To ensure good, competitive conditions for our seafarers. • To ensure that members have access to sufficient numbers of highly qualified employees at sea and ashore. • To help members be at the international forefront, both technologically and environmentally.