Nor-Shipping Recruits First Sustainability and Technology Chief

Nor-Shipping is continuing its mission to build “your arena for ocean solutions” with the recruitment of its first Head of Sustainability and Technology, Silje Bareksten. The development marks another step in an evolution that aims to realign the event week to support, serve and enable the maritime industry of tomorrow.

Over the course of 2018 Nor-Shipping has rebranded, repositioned to help its maritime base exploit the potential of increasing “ocean industry” activities and announced that its exhibition Hall A will now focus on the Blue Economy; showcasing firms and concepts that balance business with sustainable resource use and environmental protection. 

Bareksten’s appointment fits neatly into this context.

“Maritime is in pole position to help society build a thriving and sustainable ocean economy,” comments Nor-Shipping Director Per Martin Tanggaard, “and we want to help our exhibitors and visitors realize the huge potential on the horizon.

“Leading players are already well aware that commercial and environmental sustainability go hand in hand, while digital technology can be the key to better efficiency, resource use and decision making. We see these areas as intrinsically linked. As such we thought it imperative to recruit a talented individual who could focus exclusively on leading our efforts in this regard, using proven experience to help steer our strategy and maximize value for the industry. Silje is the perfect candidate.”

Bareksten will now lead the development of the Blue Economy hall and champion Nor-Shipping’s green and digital initiatives. Prior to taking on the new role she was Head of Smart City in Oslo, where she created the first smart city accelerator and helped position the Norwegian capital as a smarter, greener, more inclusive and creative place to live and do business. She has also worked as Innovation Manager for technology transfer company Inven2 and has experience from CERN in Geneva, Switzerland, alongside the International Space University (ISU). 

Speaking about her new role, Bareksten notes: “The oceans hold the key to our future, and an increased focus on sustainability, new regulations and emerging technologies represent both huge business opportunities and vital ingredients for the prosperous development of society.

“It’s my aim to help drive Nor-Shipping in a direction which proves that longstanding commitment to environmental progress, investment in diversity and openness to change is not only necessary, but profitable. The potential is vast for the players who can act fast to create growth through sustainable and responsible practices. We’ll be doing all we can, at Nor-Shipping 2019 and beyond, to help them succeed in these ambitions.”

Nor-Shipping 2019, which is expected to attract over 30,000 visitors from across the globe, takes place in Oslo and Lillestrøm, Norway, from June 4 to 7, 2019.

Hall A will be designed as an innovative, intimate and inspiring space for exhibitors and visitors, helping them demonstrate and engage with “tomorrow’s business solutions today.” It will focus on five proposed areas - sustainable ocean economy, sustainable infrastructure, decarbonization, protection of ocean life, and the development and implementation of responsible practices – to create a framework for growth.

Nor-Shipping’s other ‘themed’ halls showcase IT & Navigation, Safety & Rescue, Shipbuilding & Repair, Maritime Services & Logistics, and Propulsion & Machinery.