The removal of all national coronavirus restrictions in Norway, added to easier international travel, is set to deliver a long-awaited gathering point for top industry leaders at Nor-Shipping’s Ocean Leadership Conference on 4 April. The event, which kickstarts four days of networking, knowledge sharing and showcasing innovation at Nor-Shipping 2022, will bring together over 900 executives for the first major ‘post pandemic’ summit of C-level maritime heads.

Organisers say that, after two years of being kept apart, delegates are “raring to go” for face-to-face interaction.

Worth the wait

“The Ocean Leadership Conference is always a major international draw, and this year is gearing up to be extra special,” comments Knut Erik Dahle, Nor-Shipping Head of Conference and Event. “The quality of the speakers and panellists we have on stage is one thing, but the attraction of networking at this level can’t be overlooked.

“Opportunities like this are few and far between at the best of times, but after what we’ve been through with coronavirus this is generating real excitement. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen such a strong ticket demand six weeks ahead of the actual event. It’s going to be full, insightful and, with the main themes of People, Power and Money, offer something for everyone with an interest in the future of ocean business.”

Expert insight

A diverse array of A-list speakers and panellists have now confirmed their participation on Nor-Shipping’s conference stage in Hall E in Lillestrøm. They include Kjerstin Braathen, CEO DNB, Bjørnar Selnes Skjæran, Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Policy Norway, teenage entrepreneur Femi Owolade-Coombes, Kitack Lim, Secretary General IMO, Håkan Agnevall, President & CEO Wärtsilä Corporation, Magda Kopczynska, Director for Innovative and Sustainable Mobility DG MOVE, and former Secretary General of NATO and Prime Minister of Denmark Anders Fogh Rasmussen, amongst others.

The proceedings will focus on how Money, People and Power will define future success. All of them support the main Nor-Shipping 2022 theme of taking positive business #ACTION within the ocean space. As such, Money (TRANS#ACTION) looks into the role the financial world will play in the decarbonisation of shipping, while People (INTER#ACTION) assesses how the industry can attract and develop the talent required to navigate an uncertain future.

Finally, Power (PRO#ACTION) showcases the ocean’s power brokers, with expert insights from influential regulators, cargo owners, shipowners, Class, and more.

An end to exile

“The Ocean Leadership Conference is like nothing else, and we firmly believe this will be a Nor-Shipping like no other,” comments Sidsel Norvik, Nor-Shipping Director.

“After such a prolonged time in digital exile, I think we’re all relishing the prospect of physical meetings. There’s so many ideas, so much knowledge and so many developments waiting to be shared that this Nor-Shipping can be a real catalyst for progress. The conference will fire the starting gun in that process. See you there!”