Nor-Shipping has announced that its prestigious Next Generation Ship Award is now open for entries, with Remi Eriksen, Group President and CEO, DNV confirmed as Award President. The initiative, which will celebrate its tenth year at Nor-Shipping 2023, has become an industry fixture, shining the light on a full spectrum of newbuilds, retrofits and conversions that challenge convention and set new standards for smart, sustainable maritime operations.

Showcasing tomorrow

“The Next Generation Ship Award is always a Nor-Shipping highlight,” comments Per Martin Tanggaard, Nor-Shipping Director External Relations. “It’s special because anyone from the maritime industry can nominate projects, creating a broad playing field of exceptional vessels that, for one reason or another, have really captured the attention of observers and decision makers.

“There’s no agendas, or politics, just a collection of ships that demonstrate the very best ambition, inspiration and innovation on show in the world right now. As an award, I believe this really is one of a kind, and I can’t wait to see the competing field for our tenth anniversary outing next summer.”

Close collaboration

Each nominee will face a gruelling assessment, from an expert judging panel gathered from disciplines including classification, design, operation, research and finance. The projects, which are traditionally international in scope, will have to impress across key criteria of energy efficiency, innovation, suitability and flexibility, technology utilisation, safety and security, and environmental sustainability.

Collaborations between companies are welcomed, while all ship types are given equal consideration, regardless of size or segment. To qualify for the award, newbuilds should be scheduled for delivery within three years of Nor-Shipping 2023, while retrofits and conversions must be undertaken since the original date of the last biennial event scheduled for 2021.

“With #PartnerShip as the main theme of the next Nor-Shipping, it’ll be especially interesting to see how different stakeholders have come together to enable these often paradigm-shifting projects,” adds Sidsel Norvik, Nor-Shipping Director. “The maritime industry needs close collaboration to seize the opportunities, and tackle the challenges, ahead, and these vessels often deliver unique insights into which concrete solutions can help us navigate towards a successful, sustainable future. I look forward to another year of exciting entries and close competition!”

Setting sail in June

The winner of the 2022 award was Havila Voyages’ coastal cruise ferry Havila Capella, which boasts LNG hybrid operation, and the world’s largest battery pack on a passenger ship, amongst other energy saving innovations.

The Next Generation Ship Award will be announced at the Nor-Shipping Opening Ceremony in Oslo City Hall on 5 June 2023.

Nor-Shipping 2023 runs from 6-9 June in Oslo and Lillestrøm. Alongside the awards initiatives, which also include the Young Entrepreneur and Ocean Solutions Award, international visitors can look forward to the main exhibition, spanning some 22,000 m2, and an activity programme that boasts the C-level Ocean Leadership Conference, Blue Talks, The Fourth International Autonomy Summit, AfterWork social schedule and much more.