Organisers have revealed that the latest
Nor-Shipping was the most successful ever, with a record number of delegates
attending the Lillestrøm-based exhibition halls and associated activities in Oslo.
In all, almost 50,000 people participated in Nor-Shipping 2019 official events
between 3 and 7 June – a 34% increase over 2017 figures.
Although Nor-Shipping has been operating
for the past 54 years, this was the first time organisers extended its remit to
encompass ocean industry businesses as well as the traditional maritime
audience. As such the international event week – which welcomed exhibitors from
47 countries and visitors from over 85 nations – was rebranded as Your Arena
for Ocean Solutions.
It was a move that, Nor-Shipping
Director Per Martin Tanggaard says, appears to have paid off.
Industry engagement
“There is huge growth potential for
commercial activity within the ocean space,” he comments, “and maritime is in a
prime position to exploit that, profit from it and serve the needs of a growing
global population. Nor-Shipping 2019 sought to deliver value for its core
shipping audience by engaging new ocean actors – and providing unique,
high-level expertise and insight – to enable the co-operation that will allow
maritime to prosper in the future. It seems to be a strategy that has worked
well, for us and, most importantly of all, for our audience.
“I’ve lost count of the number of times
I heard it was ‘the best Nor-Shipping ever’ from visitors and exhibitors. That
is, of course, very satisfying, but it’s due to them that’s it been so
successful! Nor-Shipping is nothing without the continuing engagement and
support of our industry. So I’d like to extend a very big thank you to everyone
that attended for making it such a success.”
Strength in numbers
In total 30,200 unique visitors came
through the doors at Nor-Shipping’s 22,500 sq m exhibition space at Lillestrøm,
interacting with 846 exhibiting companies. This was the first time the entire
floor space at the halls was filled, with stands selling out with two weeks to
go before opening. A total number of 300 high-level speakers participated
across more than 220 conferences and events, delivering valuable takeaways on
subjects as varied as cyber security, collaboration, decarbonisation, green
financing, alternative fuels, renewables, digitalisation, gender equality and
evolving ocean regulations, amongst other key issues.
The social scene at Nor-Shipping 2019
was equally as vibrant, with 2,500 industry decision makers attending the BBQ
at DNV GL’s headquarters, countless networking opportunities and a lively party
atmosphere in the evenings on Festival Street in Oslo city centre.
Building for the future
“We judge our success through the eyes
of our exhibitors, delegates and other key stakeholders,” concludes Tanggaard.
“If it has delivered value for them and met, or hopefully exceeded, their
expectations then we’ve done our job well. The early indications in that
respect are certainly positive.
“But Nor-Shipping doesn’t stop here.
Just because the main week is over doesn’t mean our work is done, quite the
opposite in fact – it’s only just beginning. It’s now up to us to start
planning for Nor-Shipping 2021. We’ll be looking to build on the success of
this year and refine our offering to stay as relevant as possible, providing
our industry with the platform it needs for successful, sustainable and
profitable development far into the future.
“We hope to engage as many people as
possible going forwards to best determine how to achieve that aim. Nor-Shipping
2019 may have been the ‘best ever’, but we definitely want to surpass it in
2021! I look forward to welcoming the maritime and ocean industries here again in
two years time.”
The next Nor-Shipping will take place in Oslo and
Lillestrøm, 1 – 4 June 2021.
