Shipping billionaire John Fredriksen has popped up to take another swipe at a major European nation during Nor-Shipping week in Oslo.
The tycoon, fresh from blasting Norway’s lack of support for its maritime sector, has now launched a broadside at the UK.
Tracked down by Norwegian publication E24 to the Sjomagasinet restaurant in Tjuvholmen, the 81-year-old confirmed he has moved some support functions for his group to the United Arab Emirates, after closing the headquarters of his private Seatankers operation in London in December.
This was due to tighter tax rules for non-domiciled individuals in the UK capital.
“It’s starting to remind me more and more of Norway. Britain has gone to hell, like Norway,” Fredriksen told E24.
Asked about US President Donald Trump and his trade war, he replied: “Completely hopeless.”
“The entire Western world is on its way down,” he added.
Fredriksen was also asked about Norwegian politicians.
“I gave up on them a long time ago. I gave up in 1978, when I moved. It has only gotten worse. Norway is completely uninteresting,” he said, adding that the country of his birth is only good for those who work for the state.
Fredriksen is also no fan of home working, to no one’s surprise.
He said people should work more and go to the office instead.
Shipowner and investor Arne Blystad also made the trip to Tjuvholmen on Tuesday evening for the DNB barbecue.
Blystad told E24 he had chatted to Fredriksen and found him to be a “bull” on shipping as always.
Earlier in the week, the legendary shipowner sounded off to Finansavisen about Norway’s political scene.
Fredriksen, a London resident and Cypriot citizen, said: “The framework conditions for shipping in Norway have never been weaker than they are now.
“There are few commercial shipping environments left, and those that are here are operated in spite of, not because of, Norwegian authorities.”
Fredriksen believes Norway has evolved from being a global powerhouse to a place where the industry is “almost wanted away”.
He said the government’s 25% extra tax on profit from farming salmon is just another example of political unpredictability.
Fredriksen believes this has led to a shortage of qualified personnel.
