Norwegian shipowners eye Belt and Road cooperation

"We strongly support this impressive initiative whichpromotes economic growth and cooperation. The projects under the initiative will boost development of the participating countries," said Sturla Henriksen, CEO of the Norwegian Shipowners' Association, Xinhua reports. 

The Norwegian Shipowners' Association, founded in 1909, is an employers' organization and interest group for Norwegian shipping and offshore companies. It is the largest of its kind in the country.

Henriksen said that sea transport accounts for nearly 90 percent of world trade traffic. The improvement in infrastructure connecting Asia and Europe, including investment in port facilities, maritime transport services and logistics channels, can benefit all parties.

If international companies can take part in the projects of the initiative, cooperation between the Norwegian maritime transport companies and China can reach a colossal scale, he said.

Norway is a founding member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and has actively responded to the Belt and Road Initiative.