Norway is a country that is extremely rich in natural resources and its economy has been largely based on exploiting these natural strengths in oil, gas and minerals. Norway’s largest export is petroleum and petroleum products. In fact, petroleum and natural gas currently account for nearly half of its total exports and it is the world’s third largest exporter of oil and gas. However, the challenge is now to adapt to the fact that the North Sea has past its peak oil production. Norway’s offshore Oil production peaked in 2002 and so the Norwegian government is well aware that it cannot depend on oil revenues indefinitely into the future. The challenge facing Norway is diversification of its economy, so that it can maintain its high standard of living into a post-petroleum future.

Norway is fortunate in that is in a strong economic position and is one of the world’s richest countries per head. Norway has large foreign trade surpluses due to the high cost of oil in recent times. This is enabling the government to invest in developing new industries to support its strategy of diversification.

The Norwegian government is thus able to help support the freight services sector as it faces the challenge of adapting to new conditions.

One of the private sector industries that is robust and growing in Norway in shipping. Shipping companies originally developed in Norway to serve the offshore petrolem industry and have now achieved a dominant market position. In fact, the shipping fleet in Norway is one of the most modern in the world.

Shipping and freight services has therefore been identified as an industry to be further developed and strengthened in future, as a key part of the Norwegian economy.

As shipping companies face the new challenges, the sector is showing innovation as shipping companies identify and seize new opportunities that are relevant for the post petroleum era.

For example, the Norwegian freight company sector is set to break new ground with the launch of the world’s first gas-powered ro-ro vessels. Norwegian shipping company Sea-Cargo AS is building the vessels and they are expected to be launched by 2010. With the focus on lower exhaust emissions from short sea and coastal vessels, Sea Cargo AS identified liquified natural gas as the fuel of the future. These vessels will reduce CO2 emissions by 25% compared with a vessel run on conventional fuel.

Norway, like its neighbour Finland, has a significant role to play in serving the Baltic region. Although the global economic crisis is having a negative impact on freight forwarding in many countries worldwide, international freight to and from the Baltics remains a growth area. The majority of shipping companies and economic commentators are expecting growth in the Baltic region to continue to be strong in the next few years. This will strengthen the freight services sector in those countries like Norway and Finland on which freight transport to the Baltic region depends.

The Baltic Region is now a main trading area for the freight forwarding and shipping company industry based in Bergen. They offer a frequent service to the Baltic Region, mainly with its fleet of side door vessels.The main item requiring freight transport is frozen fish from Norway, Scotland and Iceland. This is transported to many destinations in the Baltic Region. This is an expanding market, with an increasing demand for fish products as the buying power of customers increases in the countries that make up the Baltic Region.

In ways such as these, shipping companies in Norway are showing that they can identify and seize the new opportunities created by changing market conditions. This means that the freight forwarding and international freight industry in Norway face a bright future as they rise to the challenge of responding to change.

Norway is well known for it’s amazing and varied scenery. The gulfs, many high mountains on both sides, in the west are long and narrow. Norway was an old Viking kingdom. Below are some of the cities and places one must visit when holidaying in Norway:

Oslo

Oslo is a remarkable Norwegian city that serves as a major tourist attraction for those holidaying in Norway. Tourists and visitors on their Norwegian holiday can enjoy visiting places like galleries and museums. The rich culture of this city can be seen in its attractions like the National Gallery, The Munch Museum, The Norwegian Folk Museum, and The Norwegian Museum of Applied Arts, Norwegian Home Front Museum, The Thor Heyerdahl Kon-Tiki Museum, Oslo City Museum and the Viking Ships Museum. This Norwegian city is also house to architectural rich attractions like the royal palace Kongelige Slott, the parliament building Stortinget and the Akershus castle.

Nidaros Cathedral, Trondheim

This tourist attraction is a fabulous building from the medieval times. Situated in Scandinavia, the building is considered as a national shrine in Norway. Tourists and visitors on their Norwegian holiday must visit this huge structure and see the beauty of this cathedral. Many parts of this attraction are decorated with religious, ornate biblical as well as royal stone statues. Those holidaying in Norway in the summer months can also enjoy crown jewels.

Ajostedal Glacier National Park

Tourist and visitors on a family Norwegian holiday can always visit this tourist attraction for their family vacation. This national park has a lot to offer from glaciers, waterfalls, museum to adventures like hiking, skiing and walking.

Stavanger

This Norwegian city is the cleanest Norwegian attraction and is a place worth visiting for those holidaying in Norway. Many tourists and visitors enjoy the city’s architecture and harbor with historical value. You can also witness amazing wooden buildings, the Norwegian oil museum, Rogaland Art Gallery and the Fish Cannery Museum. Those who appreciate history can enjoy this Norwegian city by strolling through the old town with its cobblestone walkways and 18th century houses.

Tromso

Tromso is a major tourist attraction that offers a variety of things to enjoy for a great Norwegian holiday. From cultural activities, restaurants, bars, a brewery, museums to street music. The virtual planetarium here is a crowd puller and offers a visual delight.

Bergen

Former Norwegian capital, Bergen is another favorite tourist attraction for many tourists and visitors holidaying in Norwegian. The most striking feature of this Norwegian city is the beautiful Bryggen buildings dating back to the 17th century. The town also has some historically rich galleries and museums with Bergen heritage and art.

Best time for a Norwegian holiday

Tourists and visitors holidaying in Norway prefer its late spring time for vacationing. An ideal holiday in Norway would be advised from the months of May to September.