Nor-Shipping and WISTA Enable Sustainable Arctic Opportunities

Nor-Shipping is joining WISTA at its AGM and Conference in Tromsø, Norway this month to help delegates address the opportunity, and challenges, of developing responsible maritime activity in the far North. Taking place from October 23-26, WISTA’s “Breaking the Ice” program features high profile industry and political figures from Norway and beyond, with Nor-Shipping’s Director Per Martin Tanggaard appearing as a keynote speaker.

Inclusive and informed

“New technology and environmental conditions present growing business opportunity in the Arctic region, but they must be approached with the sensitivity and care this unique area demands,” comments Tanggaard. “The tourism, energy, maritime and wider ocean industry segments are looking to unlock potential, but we urgently require an inclusive and informed dialogue to determine standards, practices and the approach that business takes.

“As such we applaud WISTA for convening a conference – within the Arctic Circle itself – that seeks to plot a pathway for sustainable success, both commercial and environmental, in this vitally important territory. Nor-Shipping will do what we can to help the organization with this crucial drive forwards.”

Accelerating opportunities

Speakers at the conference, which offers an array of activities spanning networking, panel discussions, workshops and presentations, include Frederick Kenney, Director of Legal and External Affairs at the IMO, Daniel Bjarmann-Simonsen, State Secretary to the Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry, Nina Jensen, CEO of X FOUR-10/REV, Harald Solberg, CEO of the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association, and Kristin Westvik, NCS Strategy Manager at Equinor, amongst others.

Tanggaard, who became WISTA Norway’s first male member earlier this year, will talk about achieving success through sustainability, diversity, cross sector collaboration, innovation and more. This chimes with Nor-Shipping’s recent decision to devote the whole of Hall A at its 2019 exhibition to the concept of Blue Economy. 

This aims to highlight, promote and accelerate business practices and players that balance sustainable resource use and environmental protection with commercial growth. The move supports Nor-Shipping’s wider strategy to open up fresh long-term opportunities in the ocean space for its traditional maritime customer base.

Ambitious approach

“Nor-Shipping has been a long-term supporter of WISTA,” comments Bjørg Ekonrud, President, WISTA Norway. “WISTA’s Waves of Change conference is an established part of the Nor-Shipping program and they, like us, are committed to promoting and facilitating greater diversity within our industry.

“Breaking the Ice will cover a broad spectrum of issues and themes – including change management and diversity, the environment, energy and logistics, search & rescue, the digital shift, and green technology. It’s highly ambitious in its scope, but it has to be. We want to develop dialogues that can be the foundation for responsible development and, with the quality of participants and expertise lined up for Tromsø, we believe we can get off to a very good start.”

WISTA now boasts more than 3,000 members from 44 national associations. In addition to Tanggaard’s participation, Nor-Shipping’s Sofia Fürstenberg Stott, formerly of Maersk and now spearheading the development of the Blue Economy hall, will appear on a panel debate at the conference.

Nor-Shipping 2019 takes place at Norges Varemesse’s Lillestrøm exhibition halls and across numerous venues in Oslo from June 4 - 7, 2019. The WISTA Waves of Change 2019 conference is scheduled to take place on Tuesday June 4 in Lillestrøm.