Shell Norway move may 'cost jobs'

Offshore rigs are to receive more supplies from Norway

Oil company Shell has announced it is to start transporting supplies from Norway to its North Sea rigs sparking union fears over Scottish jobs.

The firm revealed it will begin shipping out material and equipment from Bergen to some of its installations from March 2005.

The company said it will reduce risks and make business more efficient.

But the move has been criticised by workers' union Amicus, which fears itcould lead to a loss of jobs.

In a statement, Shell said it had made the decision following the findings of a study which recommended carrying out an initial trial to ship commodities including production chemicals, empty containers, fuel and water from Norway.

Ultimately, this could lead to the loss of a significant amount of jobs in the Aberdeen area Graeme Tran Amicus

A Shell spokeswoman at the company's Aberdeen office said the firm is now talking to internal and external stakeholders to address any concerns.

"This change in operations will give the benefit of reducing sailing time to and from the installations and reducing safety risks to vessel crews," she said.

"We will also be reducing our environmental impact, with less steaming time, less fuel used and less emissions.

"The company must constantly find ways to do business in a more efficient manner to maintain our position as one of the leading operators and employers in the North Sea."

'Disloyal'

But Graeme Tran of trade union Amicus, said: "Ultimately, this could lead to the loss of a significant amount of jobs in the Aberdeen area.

"Shell are leading the cavalry charge towards cross border co-operation and we are not happy about it.

"They say this will reduce safety risks, but if they want to talk aboutsafety, they should look at the hours the offshore employees are working."

The move was also heavily criticised by SNP energy spokesman Richard Lochhead.

"Shell's decision is disloyal to the north east and a slap in the face for our first class service companies," said Mr Lochhead, MSP for North East Scotland.

"It seems that London gets our oil revenues and Norway some of the jobs from our offshore industry. No other country would allow this to happen."