Norway and Hong Kong have a long and flourishing trade relationship bound by shipping
Nation's shipping and hi-tech sectors are enjoying success in Hong Kong. Reports by Ed Peters
The coastline of Norway, one of Europe's northernmost nations, extends for an impressive 25,000km. So it follows that its maritime roots and traditions are extensive. And, with Hong Kong being one of the most prominent trading ports in Asia, it's natural that its links with the country continue to flourish.
Norway ranks as Hong Kong's 52nd-largest trading partner, importing a diverse range of goods such as printed matter, artificial teeth and dental fittings, edible products, toys and games, and watches and clocks. In return, Hong Kong has a strong appetite for Norwegian fish, which make up 65 per cent of the country's exports to the city. Hong Kong also imports Norwegian internal combustion piston engines and parts, and telecommunications equipment.
"The trading bonds between Hong Kong and Norway go far back, and it is the common strength in shipping that formed them," says Kjartan Furset, chairman of the Norwegian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong.
"Shipping is still a major area of cooperation between Norway and Hong Kong, with frequent contacts as well as seminars and events for an exchange of expertise. In more recent years, we have also seen a new trend with Norwegian companies working in both hi-tech and retail enjoying a good business environment as well as increasing market share in Hong Kong. Naturally, this also creates opportunities to do business with mainland China."
Norway is considered a byword for prosperity around the world, scoring high for GDP, living standards and capital reserves, and last year it once again topped the UNDP Human Development Index.
Norway benefits greatly from its oil and gas reserves, and it is the world's second-largest exporter of fish. The country is also a world leader in environmentalism - almost all of Norway's electricity is generated by hydroelectric plants. And it is home to the world's largest registered stock of plug-in electric vehicles (EV) per capita, with Oslo touted as the EV capital of the world, with one in every 100 passenger cars on Norwegian roads being a plug-in electric.
Shipping and related industries are heavily represented in Hong Kong's Norwegian Chamber of Commerce. Sinor Lines, which is helmed by managing director Espen Stubberud, specialises in roll-on, roll-off shipping in Asia.
The company is owned by Höegh Autoliners of Oslo and Sinotrans & CSC, which pioneered transporting vehicles by ship in China, and today carries more than 1 million Car Equivalent Units per year. With Höegh's history stretching back to 1927, Sinor Lines is a sterling example of a shipping trading partnership between Norwegian and Chinese companies.
In a parallel line of business, Gard (HK) is one of the city's main marine insurers. Established in 1997 and headquartered in Arendal, Norway, Gard provides services to ship owners, operators, charterers and other marine businesses. "Our services include delivering underwriting services and handling claims and incidents involving damage to cargo, injuries to and loss of life of seamen and passengers, oil pollution, groundings and collisions," says managing director Trygve Nøkleby.
Gard's personnel includes qualified solicitors and lawyers, claims handlers with expertise in all areas of marine problems including average adjusting, and staff delivering underwriting services.
Another of Norway's maritime operators in Hong Kong is Fenwick Shipping Services, which started out in 1973. FSS controls four single-deck bulk carriers which are fitted with cranes and grabs, making them especially suited for self-sustained operations.
"Our vessels trade mainly into and out of Australia, Oceania and Asia," says director Øistein H. Thorsen. "The vessels trade on the spot market or are used on contract business - performing on a voyage charter basis ensures the charterer the best possible performance. We also have close ties to shipbuilders in China, and undertake contracting and building supervision for clients."
Aside from the shipping industry, Norway's hi-tech business has enjoyed large measures of success. Nordic Semiconductor ASA has been operating in Hong Kong since 2004, and it has since expanded in Korea and Japan.
It serves as an example of Norwegian expertise, as the wireless link in the majority of non-Bluetooth PC wireless keyboards and computer mice sold around the world today is provided by Nordic Semi conductor's wireless chips.
Steel Ytterdal, director of sales and marketing for Asia-Pacific, says: "Nordic's chips are found in ... wireless PC peripherals, gaming controllers, sports and fitness sensors such as heart-rate belts and foot pods, toys, advanced multimedia controllers, and digital/satellite remotes, just to mention a few."
