With a coastline stretching over 2,500 kilometres as the crow flies, around 90,000 people directly employed in the maritime industries and the third largest fleet in the world, Norway can safely be described as a nation of seafarers. The industry, second only in size and scope to the burgeoning oil industry in terms of exports, comprises of ship-owners, shipbuilders, service providers and niche experts within research, classification and technology. Some of the world’s biggest ship financing banks and ship broking firms are on Norwegian soil, as is 20% of the global ship insurance market. Additionally, branches relate directly or indirectly to the fishing and aquaculture industries and to the offshore industry. In the words of Tom Cantero, Chairman of the Association of Norwegian Maritime Exporters (NME), “It is no exaggeration to say that the Norwegian industry is the most complete maritime supply chain in the world,” (Norwegian Solutions, 2008).