Norwegian  shipowners, who command six per cent of the global fleet, measured by value, are more pessimistic about profits and revenue than last year.

This sentiment comes as falling oil prices, heightened geopolitical tensions, and sluggish, uncertain growth in the global economy are directly impacting the maritime industry.

According to the Norwegian Shipowners' Association Outlook report for 2015, 35 per cent of shipowners expect improved operating results, compared to 72 per cent in 2014. Forty two per cent of shipowners anticipate weakened operating results this year, up from eight per cent last year.

Shipowners expect revenue growth of 2.3 per cent in 2015, up to NOK268 billion (US$33.07 billion), compared to six per cent anticipated growth last year. All segments except offshore service expect to see some growth this year, a media release from the association said.

"We have seen a marked negative shift in just a short time. 2015 will be a challenging year for Norwegian maritime companies, but we must be prepared for 2016 to be even more challenging," said the association's CEO Sturla Henriksen.

Shipowners are also more pessimistic regarding access to capital. In 2014, half of shipowners reported that access to capital was good or very good, while today only one out of four reports the same.

The picture for traditional shipping is not as bleak. Deepsea shipowners foresee an increase in revenue of 5.1 per cent in 2015, compared to actual growth of 3.2 per cent in 2014.

Short sea shipowners anticipate turnover to rise by 2.5 per cent this year. Actual growth for this segment was more than 5.5 per cent in 2014.

Heading into 2015, association's members had 26 vessels in storage, of which 20 were ships and six were mobile offshore units. "Our members expect the number of vessels in storage to rise, to 42 by the end of 2015: 29 ships and 13 rigs," Mr Henriksen said.

This trend will also affect the labour market. The survey reveals that one of four Norwegian shipowners plan to reduce the number of Norwegian seafarers on their vessels this year.