Minister wants ownership over coast guard vessels
Norwegian Minister of Defence Anne-Grete Strøm-Erichsen says it is problematic that 10 of Norway’s 14 coast guard vessels are owned by private companies. The minister now calls for state ownership of the vessels.
The ten privately-owned vessels are leased from the Lerøy Management company, newspaper Aftenposten reports. Two-three civil company representatives are permanently on board the vessels, which are fully run and operated by the Norwegian Defence. The minister’s expressed desire for a state-takeover of the coast guard vessels comes as the Norwegian Defence increases its stress on the role of the Coast Guard. Three new top-modern vessels are soon to be included in the coast guard fleet. The Coast Guard remains a vital tool in Norway’s surveillance of its waters and marine resouces. In 2007, a total of 1767 fishing vessels were inspected by the Coast Guard, of which 667 were Norwegian, 347 Russian and 163 Danish, Aftenposten writes.
