Norway's government has ruled against Color Line's attempt to reflag its two Oslo to Kiel ro-paxes in a decision that protects 700 domestic jobs.
ITF affiliate the Norwegian Seafarers Union (NSU) won the fight to keep the ships under the Norwegian Ordinary Ship Register (NOR), it said.
The shipowner had considered moving them to the Norwegian International Ship Register (NIS), which would have endangered jobs and conditions, opponents of the plan claimed.
