Norway launches Arctic logistics centre
A new National Knowledge Centre for sustainable Arctic transport and logistics is launched in Kirkenes on Wednesday.
The new centre will be launched by Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. The event will take place in the premises of the Norwegian Barents Secretariat. It is financed by the Norwegian Foreign Ministry together with the Tschudi Shipping Company and the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association. The establishment of the new centre comes in a period with a strong increase in shipping in the Barents Sea. A significant part of that is Russia oil shipping. While 12-14 million tons of oil was shipped across the Barents Sea in 2007, that amount could increase to as much as 80 million in 2010, estimates show. Norway is stepping up efforts to strengthen preparedness and security. Last year, a maritime traffic control centre was established in Vardø on the Barents Sea coast. The new National Knowledge Centre will further help strengthen safe shipping in the region.
