The White List is regarded as a benchmark for quality in the maritime industry and signals low-risk status for vessels flying a country’s flag. This position is considered an important achievement for Norway, and one that carries clear operational and commercial benefits.
“Those who sail under a quality flag are prioritized,” says Fotland. “It means shorter inspections, fewer delays, and less uncertainty for crews and cargo owners. Time matters in global shipping, and this gives us a real edge.”
Norway’s strong ranking comes not only on the Paris MoU list, but also in other major port state control regimes like the Tokyo MoU and the U.S. Coast Guard’s Qualship21 program. These are the three most important international frameworks for monitoring ship safety and compliance.
Fotland points to the Norwegian Maritime Authority as a key reason for the country’s strong position. The authority, which is responsible for inspections and flag state performance, was relocated from Oslo to Haugesund in 2006 — a move he believes was critical for building long-term expertise.
“That relocation led to greater stability and deeper maritime competence,” says Fotland.
He also praises the leadership of former director Olav Akselsen, who led the agency from 2010 to 2021 and is seen by many in the industry as a key figure in the turnaround. Akselsen’s successors, Knut Arild Hareide and current director Alf Tore Sørheim, are continuing that work.
“The restructuring Akselsen initiated—and that Hareide and Sørheim have carried forward—has had a big impact,” Fotland adds.
He describes the authority today as “a true partner that understands the industry and finds smart solutions.”
The Norwegian Maritime Authority also sees the White List ranking as a quality stamp for the Norwegian fleet. Sørheim notes that it reflects strong cooperation between regulators, shipowners, and classification societies.
According to the Paris MoU, the 2024 inspection rate has increased to 4.03%, up from 3.81% the year before. This may lead to more detailed inspections, but ships flying high-ranking flags are still categorized as low-risk and benefit from longer intervals between inspections and less intrusive port state control checks.
Looking ahead, the Paris MoU is considering several new measures to further improve maritime safety, including:
- Enhanced monitoring of ships
- Stronger cooperation among member states to share data and best practices
- Use of advanced technology to improve inspections
- Better training of inspectors
- Development of improved risk assessment tools to identify high-risk ships
Fotland also highlighted how essential the Authority’s support was during the pandemic.
When Norwegian vessels faced challenges such as port closures, onboard illness, and quarantine restrictions, he says the Authority worked closely with shipowners to find workable solutions.
“They were not just a regulator; they were a real partner,” he explains.
Norway’s high ranking on the Paris MoU White List is part of a broader goal. The country aims to stay among the top five flag states globally, and its leadership sees this as a long-term commitment to safety, quality, and reputation in global shipping.
Read the Norwegian article here.
