Nor-Shipping 2022

PHOTO COURTESY OF NOR-SHIPPING.

Taking place every two years, NorShipping operates as a hub for international decision makers from both the private and public spheres. This is where shipowners and operators mix with politicians, equipment suppliers, NGOs, innovators, investors, business leaders, and a broad range of ocean stakeholders in a unique environment designed to enable deals, build relationships and spread knowledge. Nor-Shipping 2022 has been postponed and will now take place from 4-7 April. After the difcult decision to cancel its scheduled January exhibition and event programme, The Arena for Ocean Solutions will now gather the global maritime and ocean industries in Oslo and Lillestrøm in the spring. The rescheduled date will allow for freer international travel, less social distancing, and a more vibrant networking, knowledge sharing, and business platform. Exhibitors and ticket holders that have made bookings will have them seamlessly transferred to the new date, while a revamped activity programme – including the prestigious Ocean Leadership Conference and innovative Blue Talks – is being fnalised. The last Nor-Shipping in 2019 brought around 900 exhibiting companies and 50,000 international decision makers to Norway to connect, collaborate and do deals.

“It gives me great pleasure to confrm this date and inform the industry that, although we’ve been delayed, they won’t have to wait too long to gather again!”, comments Sidsel Norvik, Director of NorShipping. “It was obviously disappointing to postpone the January programme, but the power of Nor-Shipping lies in its ability to bring diverse stakeholders faceto-face, build relationships, share solutions, inspire one another, and do business. That would have been impossible under the Omicron restrictions imposed in the beginning of this year. This move allows authorities here, and abroad, to control the situation, while also shifting our activity to a time of the year when infection rates are naturally lower. Good things come to those who wait, and we believe the energy and enthusiasm that will be released when we fnally come together again will be electric. This is something the industry can really look forward to.”

Alongside the activities based in and around Nor-Shipping’s 22,000m2 exhibition facilities in Lillestrøm, a range of networking and knowledge events will take place in Oslo City Centre. One of the highlights will be the After Work at Aker Brygge initiative, where the industry gathers after ofce hours to mingle, connect, and enjoy an informal atmosphere at venues clustered in one of Oslo’s prime social hot spots. >>

The week will also see a host of unique partner events, the Nor-Shipping Awards, and targeted activities to ensure optimal networking and ocean business opportunities. Main partners DNV and DNB are amongst those looking forward to welcoming the world to Norway.

“Nor-Shipping is defned by its ability to bring people together from across the industry, and from across the world; connecting people and inspiring and enabling business progress”, remarks Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, DNV CEO Maritime. He continues, “To us as a classifcation society, it is important that this can be done safely. We hope April delivers a window of opportunity for us to engage with one another again face-to-face, helping enable the collaboration we need as we target a more sustainable future.”

Ms Norvik notes, “There hasn’t been a large-scale industry event since the start of the pandemic, and our stakeholders see the next Nor-Shipping as an opportunity to get back to normal, or at least embrace the new normal, as we look to a future of sustainable success within the ocean. Our main partners have re-committed their support, our theme of #ACTION in the ocean space is clearly chiming with an ambitious industry, and April will obviously see easier travel, networking and interaction as infection rates fall away and vaccination programmes continue. We see this a fresh start, and we can’t wait to welcome the industry ‘back to business’ again.”

Norwegian national coronavirus restrictions have been eased by the end of January 2022, while many other key industry markets – such as England, Denmark and France – have either ended theirs, or are in the process of fazing them out. Ms Norvik says this cements her belief that the April date is “the right one” for Nor-Shipping stakeholders. “We could’ve waited until Nor-Shipping 2023 next June”, she concludes, “but I think we’ve already waited long enough… Everyone has. It’s time for this unique industry to gather and take positive business #ACTION to enable a bright, proftable future. That’s a mission that just won’t wait. I’m really happy that our exhibitors agree and delighted that more are coming onboard.”