Running for five years, this deal covers inward and outward shipments to the group's supply bases, land-based facilities and development projects in and outside Norway.

Statoil has had transport contracts with Nor-Cargo for a number of years, but the new agreement was won against sharp competition from other bidders. The deal includes options to extend its life for up to six additional years.

"This agreement is important in ensuring a good flow of commodities to all parts of our business," says Frank W. Arnesen, head of procurement and supply in the operations support entity.

With offices in over 70 countries worldwide, a major objective of the Australian-based WWPC consortium is to help clients to optimise their logistics solutions with regards to transportation and handling of large volume break-bulk, over-dimensional and/or heavy-lift project cargoes.