A US Navy vessel was denied refueling at a Norwegian port in a stunning display of petulance from one of America’s own NATO allies. Haltbakk Bunkers, Norway’s largest marine fuel supplier, announced it will no longer service US military ships—a decision as bold as it is shortsighted.
This decision, announced on March 1, 2025, comes as a reaction to what the company called “the biggest shit show ever presented ‘live on television’” by the U.S. president and vice president during Zelensky’s White House visit on Friday.
Citing disgust over an alleged “backstabbing” of Ukraine, Haltbakk has not only slammed the door on U.S. forces but also called on other European companies to follow suit. This isn’t just ungrateful—it’s a slap in the face to the ally keeping Norway’s cozy Scandinavian dream alive.
After yesterday's events in the White House, Haltbakk Bunkers, one of Norway's largest marine fuel companies, appears to have announced that it will no longer refuel American Navy vessels.
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) March 1, 2025
Haltbakk has called on other European companies to refuse service to American forces. pic.twitter.com/8OmCrMAgDR
Let’s unpack this. Haltbakk’s social media tantrum reads like a bad breakup note: “Huge credit to the president of Ukraine for restraining himself and keeping calm even though USA put on a backstabbing tv show. It made us sick. Short and sweet. As a result, we have decided to immediately STOP as a fuel provider to American forces in Norway and their ships calling in Norwegian ports.”
Fine, they’re upset. But here’s the kicker: Norway, a NATO member since 1949, relies heavily on the United States for its security. The American military presence—those same ships Haltbakk now refuses to fuel—forms the backbone of NATO’s deterrence strategy in the North Atlantic, a region critical to Norway’s own defense against potential threats, particularly from its neighbor, Russia.
Norway’s strategic position, with its long coastline and proximity to the Arctic, makes it a key player in NATO’s northern flank. Yet, the country has historically lagged in pulling its own weight.
As of recent years, Norway has refused to consistently meet NATO’s guideline of spending less than 2% of GDP on defense—a benchmark the U.S. has long exceeded while subsidizing the security of its European allies.
In 2024, the U.S. spent over 3.5% of its GDP on defense, dwarfing Norway’s contributions. American taxpayers have shelled out billions to maintain a naval presence that protects Norwegian waters, secures its offshore oil and gas fields, and ensures the stability of the region.
And now, Haltbakk Bunkers—a company that has undoubtedly profited from the economic stability this protection affords—has the gall to turn its back on the U.S. Navy over a political spat?
This isn’t just ingratitude; it’s reckless. The U.S. Navy’s Virginia-class submarines and other vessels that Haltbakk now snubs aren’t just floating around for fun—they’re part of joint NATO operations that directly benefit Norway.
Refusing to refuel them doesn’t just inconvenience the Americans; it undermines the collective security framework that Norway depends on.
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| Virginia class attack submarine rely on small amounts of disease for emergency power, battery charging, and power for non-propulsion systems including air conditioning and heating |
What happens when the next crisis hits and Norway needs those same American ships to show up? Will Haltbakk’s righteous indignation keep the country safe, or will it be the U.S. military, once again, stepping in to fill the gap?
Haltbakk’s call for a broader European boycott is equally laughable. Most European nations, especially NATO members, understand the stakes. They’re not about to jeopardize their own defenses over a televised “shit show.”
Norway’s own government hasn’t endorsed this stunt, and for good reason—it knows the U.S. is the linchpin of the alliance. Haltbakk’s grandstanding might play well on social media, but it’s a private company’s temper tantrum, not a coherent policy.
Meanwhile, the practical fallout is already evident: reports indicate a U.S. submarine was forced to turn back after being denied fuel. This isn’t a victory for principle; it’s a self-inflicted wound on NATO cohesion.
Here’s the bottom line: Norway enjoys the luxury of moral posturing because the U.S. has its back. Haltbakk Bunkers can afford to snub American forces precisely because those forces have ensured decades of peace and prosperity in the region.
If Norway—or any European nation—thinks it can thrive without American military might, it’s deluding itself. Russia’s not exactly known for respecting sanctimonious fuel boycotts. Haltbakk’s decision isn’t a brave stand; it’s a childish jab at the very ally that keeps Norway’s lights on and its borders secure.
Maybe next time, they’ll think twice before spitting in the face of the protection they so desperately need.
