Solberg: Hurtigruten agreement is very good news

Prime Minister Erna Solberg Prime Minister Erna Solberg.Photo: Heiko Junge / NTB scanpix

The news that the Norwegian Kleven shipyard will build up to four new vessels for the service, is welcomed by Prime Minister Erna Solberg.

– That Hurtigruten is signing a MoU with Kleven shipyard for building two new ships, is very good news for a industry in western Norway that has been hit hard by the economic downturn, the Prime Minister said.
The MOU, which was made public on Thursday, could be a welcome sign of progress in a region where the oil downturn has lead to a large increase in the level of unemployment in the past two years.
– It’s a long time since such ships have been built in Norway. Building these ships will be a huge  boost for the shipbuilding industry,  jobs in Norway and  the tourism industry, Solberg says .
She believes such a commission could have repercussions for other industries.
– It is also gratifying to note that this contract shows that Norwegian shipbuilding industry  can compete on quality and prices in a tough international market, says Solberg.

 

Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today