As one of the proud members of the Scandinavian bloc, Norway has an umbilical cord with the high seas. Since time immemorial, sailors from the country have travelled all across bringing fame and fortune for this pristine land. The country, besides being home to the fourth largest merchant fleet in the world, has a thriving shipping industry that includes vessels such as luxury cruise liners, freight and passenger liners, and oil tankers. On the domestic front, the many rivers and Fjords have seen the plying of night ferries, RoRo and RoPax types of vessels. The contribution of the shipping industry to the economic well being of Norway is well established. The dynamics of Norway’s shipping industry is kept well oiled by a multitude of ship broking firms, which not only keep a track of shipping assets worldwide but facilitate the sale, purchase, and lease of vessels to a worldwide clientele.
Why Ship Brokers are Required?
The shipping industry is a high risk zone with many factors at play. These can range from international geopolitics, volatility in oil prices, environmental concerns, and terrorism, to economic slowdown. Any of these factors can have a bearing on the smooth functioning of the industry, thereby impacting livelihoods and the overall economy. Ship brokers belong to a specialised domain that keeps track of the above mentioned factors, besides maintaining inventories of various sailing assets. These people including cruise ship brokers act as an interface between the buyers and sellers of shipping assets. They help in drawing of contract between ‘parties’ in terms of sale, purchase, rent or lease of sailing assets. Ship broking firms are the one stop centres for buyers and sellers as they can provide the following services:
- Expert guidance on shipping related business activities
- Keep inventories of worldwide shipping assets and help interested parties to choose the best suited ones among them
- Assess the risk factors
- Facilitate sale, purchase, lease and rent of assets by explaining the terms and conditions
- Manage conflict between contenting parties
- Help clients to get the best deal and mediate as well should things go south
Apart from being one of hubs of the world’s shipping industry, Norway has vessels like night ferries that are quite popular among people because of their economics and suitability of travel to far off islands. And a thriving inland maritime industry means the presence of ship broking firms that play a big role in facilitating deals involving night ferries for sale, purchase, and lease.
Open and Transparent Business
The ship broking firms use modern technology and best accounting practices to ensure buyers and sellers enjoy their trust. The terms and conditions that form part of the legal agreement are explained threadbare to both the parties. The open and transparent manner of conducting the business of brokerage – as opposed to the practice followed in many a places elsewhere, makes the Norwegian ship broking firms trustworthy and business like.
