The Norwegian Government has ruled against the reflagging of Color Line vessels under the Norwegian International Ship Register (NIS) flag, thereby securing jobs for 700 Norwegian seafarers.
The Norwegian Seafarers Union (NSU), an affiliate of the International Transport Workers’ Federation, won the fight to keep the vessels under the Norwegian Ordinary Ship Register (NOR), securing the jobs and maintaining the wages and conditions of the country’s seafarers.
“This result means that Color Line – a profitable shipping company – cannot replace national seafarers with cheaper foreign labour,” Johnny Hansen, NSU president, told the ITF.
“Enforcing and maintaining cabotage safeguards our strategic interests, provides jobs, brings added economic value while also protecting national security and the environment,” Hansen added.