The Norwegian Maritime Authority , The Norwegian Shipowners’ Association and WISTA Norway are joining forces for the first time to run The Quality Flag Forum at Nor-Shipping 2022 on 5 April. The two-hour conference will feature a host of guest speakers and industry experts addressing the overall theme of ‘collaborating for action’, with individual sessions discussing Decarbonisation & Green Shipping, Waves of Change, and Maritime Security. The event is free to attend for all Nor-Shipping delegates.

Norway has ‘Quality Flag’ status through the United States Qualship 21 programme and holds second place on the Paris MoU White List (based on vessel inspections/lack of detentions). The NMA and NSA work to consolidate this respected position, utilising the forum as a platform to help enable high standards, share knowledge and accelerate progress. WISTA is using the opportunity to integrate its successful Waves of Change conference into an event with broad-based appeal and engagement.

Sustainable ambitions

“This is an excellent initiative that sums up the essence of Nor-Shipping,” comments Sidsel Norvik, Director, Nor-Shipping. “Here we have three prominent organisations working as one to benefit the wider industry – bringing together respected stakeholders to share insights helping the audience understand, address and solve key challenges on the path to sustainable success.

“The topics up for discussion are highly relevant, while the participants are first class. And, of course, as this is one of the first face-to-face gatherings of its kind since the pandemic began, the forum provides an invaluable networking opportunity. We’d like to thank our partners for delivering an event that we believe can offer real value to all our international delegates.”

Accessing expertise

Amongst those participating in the event are Knut Arild Hareide, Director General of the Norwegian Maritime Authority, Stig Schjølset, Head of Policy at ZERO, Hege Økland, CEO of NCE Maritime CleanTech, Turid Elisabeth Solvang, Founder and CEO at FutureBoards, Harald Solberg, CEO of the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association, and Jan Ole Huseby, Head of Ocean Industries, DNB.

The Quality Flag Forum’s first session will focus on how collaboration and innovation can speed progress towards a decarbonized future, while Waves of Change will explain WISTA’s 40 by 30 campaign (aimed at increasing female representation in top industry management positions) and how to act to improve gender diversity in shipping.

The final session will examine a topic that, given the current geopolitical situation, is arguably more relevant than ever, that of maritime security. War, piracy, cyber security, sabotage and political instability will all be discussed as speakers shed light on a constantly evolving security picture.

Partnering for tomorrow

Caroline Whittle, Marketing Director at Norwegian Maritime Authority, says of the initiative:

“Nor Shipping is a major event in the international shipping calendar, and after two years of lock-downs and digital meetings, we are really looking forward to meeting up in person with our partners in the industry. We have six supporting partners in connection with our Quality Flag events at Nor Shipping, and we are very pleased that WISTA Norway is one of them. The Quality Flag Forum addresses how we can collaborate for action on UN Sustainability goals, and goal number 5, gender equality, is obviously high on the list.”

Harald Solberg, CEO, NSA adds: “With the challenges facing our members, and the world, as we face the future, it’s essential that we come together to work on collective solutions and understanding. Platforms such as Nor-Shipping and the Quality Flag Forum are a perfect example of how we can do this. We look forward to seeing our industry friends and colleagues once again, and helping to chart a safe, sustainable and profitable course of action for the industry.”

Added value events

The Quality Flag Forum is just one of many networking and knowledge sharing events taking place this April at Nor-Shipping 2022. Other highlights from the activity programme include, The Ocean Leadership Conference, Brazil@Nor-Shipping, the Blue Talks, Nor-Shipping’s Technical Seminars, The International Ship Autonomy and Sustainability Summit, the Young@Nor-Shipping programme, The Maritime Hydrogen Conference, and many more.

The last Nor-Shipping took place in summer 2019, attracting over 50,000 participants, with exhibitors drawn from over 60 nations