The upcoming leading maritime event will seek more for less – more digital, more innovative and more forward-looking to ride the various storms of crisis and competition by profound change. By Sverre Gutschmidt
Exhibitors from more than 80 countries will network at Nor-Shipping, one of the [ds_preview]world’s leading maritime fairs from 30 May to 02 June. Oslo will be »the center of the maritime universe again for a week,« as an attendee says. The fair is expected to attract 35,000 visitors. About 1,000 maritime companies from all over the globe will present products and services.
This year at the biannual event, the innovative 1.7km Stad Ship Tunnel has become a symbol for Norway’s course on the peak of shipping (see pages 46-47). Going forward as a catalyst for change is what Nor-Shipping will be about this year. In 2015 the fair celebrated its 50th anniversary. Since then, the mood in the industry has changed. While signs of crisis cloud many maritime business areas, future opportunities and smart operations will be more pressing issues than before.
Birgit Liodden, the young Director of Nor-Shipping, has chosen the term »Disruptive Sustainability« to rise to the challenges ahead. She wants to trigger a new wave of digital maritime solutions. Hall A will be dedicated to this topic: »The Disruptive Sustainability Hall will be dark and immersive, creating an »Enter the Ocean Space« experience and feature an exciting Disruptive Room dedicated to exploring new insights,« says Project Manager Sofia Fürstenberg. Disruptive Talks will look into future markets and technologies. Liodden says, Nordic countries will lead the way through heavy seas which urge for transformational change and see the potential as »home of disruption«. This change towards cleaner, more efficient operation and the digital revolution will be presented as intrinsically tied to the development of shipping as a global industry.
The exhibition will feature theme parks in six halls which group industry segments. Totalling 22,500m2 the fair will address the guiding theme Disruptive Sustainability, but also IT and Navigation, Safety and Rescue, Shipbuilding and Repair, Maritime Services & Logistics and the sixth hall will showcase Propulsion and Machinery. This time, 20 national pavilions add to the experience.
The influence of a new digital world will be traceable more than in prior Nor-Shipping events: The industry faces new applicants for an Uber of shipping, big lines like Maersk accelerate digitalisation while drones offer new markets as a recent extensive contract between Martec Marine and the European Safety Agency shows. At the same time, Amazon and Google steer a course into shipping and give proof of the potential influence from outside.
Looking at the trends in Oslo, additive manufacturing also known as »3D printing« is at the doorstep. Nor-Shipping will investigate steps to reproduce components instantly and provide spare parts aboard. Forecasts show gas related shipping could expect growth. Japan will send a high level hydrogen delegation. »Clean maritime fuels are the future and we, at Nor-Shipping, want to play our part in realizing their huge potential,« Liodden says. Cleantech companies will be strongly represented in hall A. Green ferry pioneer »Vision of the Fjords« will be at the Festival Street Harbour to provide a live experience in battery powered drive technology. Nor-Shipping aims at triggering a new green propulsion era. Cleantech will be a top priority for Energy majors: Shell and Total recently announced to foster LNG as a marine fuel. The SEALNG alliance will be in Oslo and other cross-industry alliances will formulate goals.
This is why Nor-Shipping is among the top maritime networking events. To stay in touch with latest sectoral innovation, 200 different conferences, seminars, executive meetings and social events are on the agenda. Experts will discuss »The Dry Bulk Market – On a recovery track?« or »Green Coastal Shipping«, where pilot studies for a green future will be on display. Ocean Opportunity Pitch Sessions will add to the various seminar offerings.
The regional focus of the program will be on Africa, the Asian Belt and Brazil this year. Brazilian energy and shipping industries will be present, there will be a »Brazil Podium & Roundtable Meeting« and correspondingly an »Asian Belt Podium« and an »Africa Podium«.
Next generation is invited
Inviting the »next generation« is part of the strategy to renew the maritime world in 2017. The Opening Conference will debate »Next Generation Shipping« with focus on digitization and increased sustainability including speakers from leading companies. »Young professionals are an integral part of the Nor-Shipping mix, and this is now visible like never before during the event week,« Nor-Shipping planners say. The key words »sails, satellites, drones and data« dominate the work of young entrepreneurs nominated for the Young Entrepreneur Award 2017.
Generally, the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals are always in the Nor-Shipping background but also immediate regulation urges change. As the EU and the IMO are at odds about the best way to monitor CO2 emissions, there is an ever-faster race to comply. Technical solutions to verify compliance will be high on the agenda. The new fuel regulations also accelerate the scrubber business.
Offshore petroleum and new ocean industries will be explored in the program, too. Waves of change will be felt everywhere in offshore at the event. Solstad, Farstad and Deep Sea Supply have effected a giant merger some boards have already approved. The tanker market’s DHT-BW-deal and moves at Frontline give proof of consolidation. According to the regional focus, the Brazilian economic outlook and the transition of the maritime and offshore industry there will find a podium with high level experts.
Further highlights at the event will be the proclamation »Ship of the Year 2017« by Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry, Monica Mæland, cultural events and receptions and the Future Friday with seminars on circular economy, blockchain and sustainable business models. The Nor-Shipping Regatta with an After Sail Party will close the event.
Sverre Gutschmidt
