...aka What Fresh Batch of Crazy Did I Wake Up To This AM(TM)?
https://www.reuters.com/world/norway-says-it-will-keep-supplying-fuel-us-navy-after-company-calls-boycott-2025-03-02/
NATO member Norway will continue to supply fuel for U.S. Navy ships, the country's defence minister said on Sunday, after a call from a private marine fuel supplier to stop doing so in response to the apparent breakdown in U.S.-Ukrainian relations. "We have seen reports raising concerns about support for U.S. Navy vessels in Norway. This is not in line with the Norwegian government's policy," Norway's Defence Minister Tore Sandvik said in a statement. "American forces will continue to receive the supply and support they require from Norway," he added. ...
Official statement here : https://www.regjeringen.no/en/aktuelt/statement-from-minister-of-defence-tore-o.-sandvik-on-recent-reports-concerning-naval-support/id3090130/
Apparently the catalyst for this is the following : https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/norwegian-fuel-supplier-refuses-u-s-warships-over-ukraine/ -- Norwegian fuel supplier refuses U.S. warships over Ukraine
Norwegian fuel company Haltbakk Bunkers has announced it will cease supplying fuel to U.S. military forces in Norway and American ships docking in Norwegian ports, citing dissatisfaction with recent U.S. policy towards Ukraine.
... Who is Haltbakk Bunkers?
Haltbakk Bunkers is a Norwegian fuel supplier that provides marine fuel for shipping and military operations. Based in Kristiansund, Norway, the company specialises in bunkering services for vessels operating in Norwegian waters, offering fuel logistics and distribution for both civilian and military customers. Haltbakk Bunkers plays a significant role in Norway’s maritime industry, supplying fuel to vessels calling at Norwegian ports, including NATO and allied forces. The decision to cut off the U.S. military could have logistical implications for American naval operations in the region. Norway is a key NATO member and frequently hosts U.S. and allied forces for joint exercises and Arctic defence operations. ...
What specifically piqued my interest in this story was this aspect. Standard NaCl cautions apply as I do not know the quality of source, nor can I find corroboration (yet) of the details mentioned -- https://therightscoop.com/breaking-us-nuclear-sub-refused-service-after-large-norwegian-refueler-boycotts-us/
The shutdown may have already affected USS Virginia (SSN-774), which attempted to refuel in Norway today but turned around.
(The Virginia class requires some marine diesel for its Caterpillar model 3512B V-12 auxiliary generator).
Source- https://t.co/GsXWfNDmXA pic.twitter.com/Byy3KPmxJr
I couldn't find a current list of ships for the US Navy's 6th fleet, but outside of nuclear reactors aboard an aircraft carriers and submarines, EVERYTHING with an internal combustion engine will rely on Hatlbakk Bunkers' wares, bar none.
Google-translating the mentioned t.co link got me this nugget
... American naval vessels are not covered by the company's NATO agreements, he says. In Norway, the ships get fuel from a supplier that buys from companies like Hatlbakk bunkers. Haltbakk bunkers is a subsidiary of Haltbakk Group, which is solely owned by CEO Gunnar Gran. The group has both regular petrol stations, bunkering facilities, bunker vessels in addition to crew placement and chartering services. They have, according to their own website, Norway's largest fleet of bunker vessels, and have 2200 customers at home and abroad. The company currently has 10 bunker vessels in its fleet, in addition to two fuel tankers. It also has a series of fuel stations, both onshore and for the maritime fleet, and transports the fuel itself. ...
Waking up this AM, this hit my radar and goes deeper into the military links between the US and Norway : https://outsidethebeltway.com/norway-cutting-off-fuel-to-us-navy/ -- Norway Cutting Off Fuel to US Navy
... I have no expertise on the nature of HB’s contract with the U.S. government but suspect that this will sort itself out soon enough. But the reaction of a core NATO ally to the meeting should raise alarm bells. While Norway has historically fallen just shy of the 2% GDP defense spending pledge, they field a sizable, well-trained force that’s a robust contributor to NATO combined operations. They’ve been stockpiling pre-positioned supplies for US and NATO forces since the 1980s at their own expense. The US Marines, in particular, have a deep relationship with Norwegian forces, routinely training there. Alone among foreign countries, Norway has a decades-long relationship with the Marine Command and Staff college wherein they supply a top lieutenant colonel for a two-year stint on the faculty. They’re sending the best of the best, folks who will pin on colonel as soon as they get back to Norway and most of whom will be generals. ...
I leave people to take what they will from this story, I myself will watch with interest where / how this goes...
My albeit-Cynical International Relations 00000010bits
Regards