Flagship trade fair for the shipping industry Nor-Shipping has issued a call for the maritime and ocean industries to rise to pressing environmental and business challenges and convey to all stakeholders, including society at large, that they are moving beyond words and ideas toward ambitious, impactful ocean action.
“This is not a criticism, this is not a complaint, this is a requirement for us, all of us, as an industry,” said Per Martin Tanggaard, director of Nor-Shipping. “Awareness of environmental issues, particularly those related to our ‘home’, the ocean, is growing exponentially. Society sees us using this invaluable resource but they don’t always see us taking the necessary action to protect it.”
Using the hashtag #ACTION, Nor-Shipping hopes to inspire the maritime and ocean industries into action before their next event in June 2021. And according to Tanggaard, visible action will also have positive business ramifications: “The untapped business potential here is huge, with new possibilities for satisfying a growing global population’s energy, nutritional and logistics/trade demands. Business stakeholders want companies to deliver added value and, with the unique competency of our maritime professionals, knowledge and assets, we have the means to do so. But we must do so responsibly.
“I believe platforms like Nor-Shipping are tailor-made for us to demonstrate our worth to the world – for companies, organizations and individuals to say, ‘This is what we’re doing, this is the value we deliver, this is how we’re making a positive difference. This is the future, now.’ Nor-Shipping exists to support the sustainable development of our industry. I believe this message is key to that aim.”
Last year was Nor-Shipping’s most successful ever year and saw the event week reposition as ‘Your Arena for Ocean Solutions’, embracing a broader industry perspective to help enable new business opportunities.
“We need real action to enable a sustainable future for the industry, and society, with the IMO and new requirements at the forefront, demands it,” said Tanggaard. “Nor-Shipping will do all it can to facilitate, support and celebrate key achievements – for the next two years and far beyond.”