2022 Nor-Shipping Ocean Leadership Conference --- January 10-13, 2022 --- Oslo, Norway

With the widespread disruption to the maritime event calendar in 2020, Nor-Shipping 2022* has emerged as the natural hub for the industry to gather, re-energise and focus on achieving future ambitions. However, when it’s difficult to predict what will happen tomorrow, let alone next summer, clear challenges remain. Here Karen Algaard, Director Operations and Strategy, explains how Nor-Shipping is adapting to ensure it safeguards and supports its stakeholders.

“The industry needs something positive and tangible to focus on, now more than ever, and that’s Nor-Shipping, January 2022*.”

Karen Algaard isn’t afraid to confront the elephant in the room. After a year like no other, where the maritime events calendar has been nothing short of devastated, the question marks over future large-scale gatherings hang heavy in the air. Nor-Shipping, with its biennial schedule, has been safeguarded from the ramifications that have derailed other big names, but it still faces a clear challenge.

“It’d be naïve to think otherwise,” she states matter-of-factly, “but we have contingency plans in place (more on that later) and are constantly monitoring the situation to ensure we adopt an approach defined by optimal safety, responsibility and the best results for exhibitors, participants and all attendees.

“We’re confident of delivering a very successful Nor-Shipping in 2022* and, from the feedback we’re receiving industry-wide, so are our customers. The signs so far are very promising.”

A platform for ambition

Algaard, who joined from Höegh LNG, where she was Head of Contract Management and Controlling, in March this year (“perfect timing” she jokes) is keen to substantiate the “very promising” remark.

On the business front she reveals that over 75% of planned exhibition space at the halls in Lillestrøm, near Oslo, is now booked (“and we’re getting new bookings on a weekly basis”). In addition, co-director Per Martin Tanggaard has now secured all of the headline partners for Nor-Shipping 2022* – the main and leading partners are due to be revealed imminently – with only a few remaining opportunities for new and commercial partnerships. Importantly, Algaard adds, away from the revenue streams, the ‘buzz’ is growing within the industry itself, fuelled by Nor-Shipping’s focus on #ACTION and sustainable success within the ocean space. It’s the kind of positivity, she says, that can help empower businesses in these difficult times.

“Short-term challenges don’t override the need for long-term solutions,” she states. “To meet the ambitions of our industry and society; to use ocean resources in a responsible, sustainable manner; to meet the targets of the IMO on the decarbonisation of shipping – these things don’t happen in isolation. We need platforms for development, strategy, knowledge sharing and collaboration. And Nor-Shipping, with its established focus on innovation, partnerships and enabling the Blue Economy is the perfect platform. Our industry is well-aware of that and, from everything we hear in the marketplace, they’re looking forward to shifting up a gear and really engaging with one another at Nor-Shipping. There’s real excitement.”

Eliminating risk

But of course – going back to confront that elephant – there must also be real concern.

After all, if there’s one thing COVID-19 has taught us it’s that there is ‘no business as usual’ – things change, and fast. So, how can anyone plan for that? READ MORE