Maritime sector is driving the export in Vestland

Maritime Forum is monitoring the value creation in the maritime sector and publishing the numbers in the annual “Maritim Verdiskapingsrapport”. The 2026 edition shows Norway’s maritime industry surpassing all expectations expressed in the government’s “Hele Norge eksporterer” initiative, where exports were set out to boost exports by 50 % by 2030. That target for maritime exports alone was effectively met ahead of schedule, highlighting unmatched market momentum and export potential for suppliers and tech partners across the value chain. 

You can download the report in Norwegian here.

Shipyards across Norway experienced a 29 % increase in activity in 2024, with export volumes from the shipbuilding industry forecast to climb from 11 to 17+ billion NOK in 2025. More than half of vessels delivered ordered by international owners. This points to strong global demand and an appetite for advanced maritime construction capacity. Photo: Innovasjon Norge.

Vestland is the epicentre

Vestland sits at the epicentre of this surge. The industry’s explosive growth in exports, shipbuilding and advanced maritime services creates compelling openings for foreign companies to establish operations in Vestland and help meet demand across the global maritime value chain

Value creation has increased by 80 % since 2020. After a decline in employment between 2014 and 2016, the level has stabilized. From 2021 to 2024, value creation has increased by nearly 80 percent. In 2024, the maritime industry in Vestland county had a turnover of NOK 151 billion, created NOK 56 billion in value, and employed 21,330 people. This corresponds to 23 percent of the employment and 24 percent of the value creation in the Norwegian maritime industry.

- Vestland is and will remain Norway’s maritime powerhouse. The figures show an industry that is both growing and transforming, and that stands strong in the face of new markets and technological shifts. This is the result of a robust and forward‑leaning cluster, says CEO of Maritime Bergen, Sigvald Sveinbjørnsson. Photo: Charlotte Hartvigsen Lem. 

The shipping segment in Vetland accounts for almost 70 percent of value creation and nearly 50 percent of employment. The deep‑sea shipping companies have increased their share of value creation from 15 percent in 2014 to 27 percent in 2024. At the same time, offshore shipping companies and rig operators have gone from nearly 40 percent of value creation in 2014 to under 30 percent in 2024.

Why should you locate in Vestland?

As Vestland continues to lead Norway’s maritime export performance, the region’s value chain is a great community to operate from. With strong foundation metrics and export dynamics in place, Vestland is actively seeking foreign partners to fill gaps in advanced maritime manufacturing, digital maritime services, and green shipping technologies.

Vestland’s coastal infrastructure, shipbuilding heritage and proximity to advanced shipping routes make it an ideal base for foreign R&D, manufacturing, and specialized maritime services. Companies targeting offshore wind supply chains, hybrid vessel tech, and next-generation maritime systems will find Vestland’s ecosystem particularly receptive. 

The long heritage also supports a highly skilled labour pool and established supplier networks supporting shipyards, ocean tech firms, and maritime service hubs. Establishing facilities in Vestland opens possibilities to tap into existing partnerships and local industry expertise, hereby shortening time to market while boosting competitiveness.

Interested in learning more? Don’t hesitate to contact any of our advisors.

Bergen has a long maritime heritage and is a joint maritime capital for a robust and complete maritime value chain in Vestland. Photo: Charlotte Hartvigsen Lem.