Nor-Shipping has confirmed that Joseph E. Stiglitz, the renowned Nobel laureate in Economics and former Chief Economist at the World Bank, will be a keynote speaker at this year’s Ocean Leadership Conference, taking place in Lillestrøm, Norway, 6 June. The event, which traditionally fires the starting gun for Nor-Shipping’s main exhibition, will gather global industry leaders to hear insights from an array of ‘star names’ from the world of ocean business and beyond. The theme of this year’s conference is #PartnerShip.

Stiglitz, who won the Nobel Prize for Economics in 2001, will top the bill with a sweeping presentation that delivers a ‘big picture’ snapshot of today’s increasing complexity – taking in macroeconomics, geopolitical impacts and the energy transition. As with the other speakers, and the whole of Nor-Shipping 2023, enabling and supporting #PartnerShip will be a natural focal point.

Living legend

“We’re thrilled to confirm a speaker of Joseph Stiglitz’s calibre and international standing,” comments Knut Erik Dahle, Nor-Shipping Head of Conference and Event. “He has near ‘living legend’ status within the field of finance and economics, with insights and expertise that offer value to anyone with an active interest in how to understand, and navigate, a world of accelerating developments and evolving opportunity.

“The Ocean Leadership Conference is a key gathering place for this industry’s decisionmakers, so it’s imperative we deliver a line-up of the highest quality. I’m delighted to say we’re well on the way to building a truly memorable collection of diverse, fascinating participants, with more major international names to be released soon. Tickets, as always, will be in short supply.”

Higher level

Alongside the US economist, other key names include Espen Barth Eide, Norway’s Minister of Climate and Environment, who will open the conference, and Guy Platten, Secretary General, International Chamber of Shipping. Kjerstin Braathen, CEO, DNB, and Remi Eriksen, Group President and CEO, DNV Group, will join Stiglitz for a discussion investigating the business opportunity inherent within maritime’s energy transition.

Further high-level participants include Bo Cerup-Simonsen, CEO, Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping, Lynn Loo, CEO, Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation, and Lasse Kristoffersen, CEO, Wallenius Wilhelmsen.

Transitioning to tomorrow

Together they will discuss topics ranging from ‘partnerships for the future’ through to ‘enabling the maritime turning point’. The issues, and the participants, could not be more relevant for an industry, and a world, transitioning to a new tomorrow, notes Sidsel Norvik, Director, Nor-Shipping.

“It’s always so exciting to see these events take shape,” Norvik comments, “watching as they work to mirror the developments shaping our world at present, while providing unique insights into the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.

“The speakers are always a major attraction, and this year will be no exception! But it’s also important to recognise the role the conference has as a networking event for c-level executives. There’s no other event, anywhere, that attracts this audience, so it really is a ‘must’ for our most ambitious industry players. It’s also, without doubt, a great way to get the Nor-Shipping week started!”

Great expectations

According to organisers, the 22,000m2 of exhibition space on offer at Nor-Shipping 2023 is almost sold-out, with expectations that this could be “the biggest ever” outing for Your Arena for Ocean Solutions. In addition to the Ocean Leadership Conference, a range of themed conferences will offer “something for everyone”, while a host of social, networking and knowledge sharing activities is now being finalised. Stand-out events include the first ever Nor-Shipping Offshore Wind and Offshore Aquaculture Conferences, alongside the Ocean Leadership Conference, the Second Maritime Hydrogen Conference, and the Fourth International Autonomy Summit.

Entrance tickets have now been released, with an early-bird discount available prior to 1 May. Included in the price is free use of public transport in Oslo (Zone 1) and between the Lillestrøm exhibition centre, entrance to all the exhibition days, access to the After Work @Aker Brygge social scene in Oslo, and entrance to all Technical Seminars and Blue Talks.