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Nor-Shipping 2025: Future-proof maritime solutions

Maritime CleanTech is going ‘all in’ at Nor-Shipping 2025, seizing the opportunity of a unique global gathering to support and enable those pioneering sustainable ocean development. Here CEO Ada Jakobsen outlines the organisation’s initiatives, objectives and ambitions, explaining why NOW is the time to accelerate progress. Groundbreaking efforts Nor-Shipping has long been a flagship arena for ocean innovation, so for Maritime CleanTech, it’s the perfect stage to showcase the groundbreaking efforts of the 150 partners and unique ‘full spectrum’ cluster. As they prepare for the 2025 event in June, the focus is clear: collaboration, innovation, and action. They are committed to ensuring that the industry does more than just talk about the green transition—they drive it forward. Future of global shipping Nor-Shipping provides an invaluable platform to connect stakeholders Nor-Shipping provides an invaluable platform to connect stakeholders, amplify the voices of the members, and highlight the pioneering work that is shaping the future of global shipping. It is a place where ideas turn into action, and discussions lead to partnerships. That’s why, this June, the presence will be stronger than ever. Spotlight on innovation As ever, the main focus will be showcasing the partners and their bold efforts to enable a greener future for the industry – whether it’s advancements in sustainable fuels, smarter operations with digital solutions, wind-assisted propulsion or other innovations. That’s why they are proud to join Nor-Shipping as a Blue Talks partner, where they will put the partners in the spotlight and give them a unique platform to connect with a global audience. Future green innovations Exploring potential collaborations for future green innovations with interested stakeholders In addition to participating in the official Blue Talks programme, they will also curate an exclusive programme of their own on the Blue Talks stage, ensuring a lively mix of presentations and discussions highlighting cutting-edge green solutions. The community stand, located right next to the Blue Talks stage, will serve as an extension of the stage area — offering additional space for networking, in-depth discussions, and exploring potential collaborations for future green innovations with interested stakeholders. Critical role Additionally, they are honoured to co-host two of the official Nor-Shipping conferences—the Offshore Wind Conference and the Hydrogen Conference. These are two hugely important sectors that are key to underpinning the maritime and energy transitions, and both forums will offer critical discussions on advancing green maritime solutions. The goal is to ensure that these conversations lead to real-world impact, highlighting groundbreaking projects like Apollo, developing ammonia-powered engines, and Ship-aH2oy, making scalable fuel cell technology a reality. The partners have the vision and expertise to transform challenges into opportunities Future-proofing progress The theme of Nor-Shipping 2025, #future-proof, aligns seamlessly with the own mission The theme of Nor-Shipping 2025, #future-proof, aligns seamlessly with the own mission. Future-proofing the maritime industry is about more than resilience—it is about proactive transformation.  Green shipping is the only way forward, and the solutions that partners are developing are not just theoretical; they are already making waves. Norway’s maritime landscape Over the past decade, they have witnessed a massive shift in Norway’s maritime landscape. From the rapid deployment of electric passenger vessels to the launch of the first hydrogen-powered ships, the partners have shown that innovation leads to real progress. Now, they are accelerating the deployment of clean fuels, energy efficiency solutions, and digital technologies that will make maritime operations more sustainable and competitive on a global scale. Green AI for Sustainable Shipping Through initiatives like GASS and STEESMAT, they are working on digital solutions Through initiatives like Green AI for Sustainable Shipping (GASS) and STEESMAT, they are actively working on digital solutions that optimise fuel consumption and energy efficiency.  Meanwhile, projects such as Ocean Charger—a collaborative effort with key industry players—are pioneering offshore electric charging infrastructure, providing a critical link in the transition to emission-free shipping. Adoption of green technologies The maritime industry is at a crossroads, and global uncertainties demand that it double down on its commitment to sustainability. Political and economic shifts may introduce challenges, but they are transient. The need for cleaner maritime solutions is enduring. This is why Maritime CleanTech remains steadfast in its mission to unite the industry, advocate for progressive policies, and champion the adoption of green technologies. Strengthening collaboration Nor-Shipping is the ideal setting to forge these partnerships and ensure that sustainable solutions As an industry cluster, the strength lies in collaboration. No single entity can drive the transition alone, but by bringing together shipowners, technology providers, policymakers, and financial stakeholders, they can accelerate the shift to a greener, more resilient industry. Nor-Shipping is the ideal setting to forge these partnerships and ensure that sustainable solutions receive the visibility and support they need to scale up. Call to action The message for Nor-Shipping 2025 is clear—there is no future-proof shipping industry without green solutions. Tackling climate change is not just a challenge for shipping; it is a challenge for society as a whole. The time to act is now. Through their presence at Nor-Shipping, they aim to not only showcase the groundbreaking work of the partners but also inspire meaningful dialogue and action across the industry. Whether it is through the Blue Talks, the Hydrogen and Offshore Wind Conferences, or direct engagement at the community stand, they invite stakeholders to join them in shaping a sustainable future for global shipping. The road to a zero-emission maritime sector may be challenging, but with the right collaborations and a shared commitment to progress, they can and will make it a reality.

Jotun Hull coatings key to decarbonising shipping

As the supplier of marine coatings, Jotun partners with a broad range of stakeholders working to decarbonise shipping. But is the industry moving fast enough? Jotun’s President and CEO Morten Fon shares his views on how leadership, innovation and collaboration can accelerate the transition to a low carbon future. From his corner office on the seventh floor of Jotun’s Headquarters and R&D Centre, Morten Fon, Jotun’s President and CEO, has stunning views of the marine traffic going in and out of the port of Sandefjord, Norway. While the BREEAM-NOR-certified building is new (completed in 2020) Fon’s view would be familiar to the company’s founder, Odd Gleditsch sen., who established the company on the same piece of land in 1926. Reducing harmful emissions “Jotun’s roots in the maritime industry stretch back almost a century, so we have lived through a great many challenges in this highly cyclical industry,” he says. “But in my view, how the industry manages climate change over the next decade will have an enormous impact on how the industry operates for generations to come.” While Fon acknowledges that the industry still has a long way to go to reach IMO GHG targets (which call for a reduction in carbon intensity by at least 40 per cent by 2030 compared to 2008), he sees some encouraging signs of change. “In addition to embracing new technologies, more stakeholders than ever before are working in partnership on ambitious projects to reduce harmful emissions.” Commercialising alternative fuels Fon supports all these efforts, many of which are focussed on developing and commercialising alternative fuels for ships. But he notes that it will take time before the necessary infrastructure is in place to meet the existing demands of the world fleet. And time is running out. Morten Fon, President and CEO, Jotun said ”As a leader in hull performance, we are focussed on where we can make a difference,” he says. “After all, maintaining a cleaner hull with minimal fouling means a vessel has less resistance when sailing through water, reducing the amount fuel required to achieve the same speed. And less fuel burned results in lower emissions. But we also see we can have a greater impact by working with others.” Propeller performance standard “In fact, Jotun has a long history of collaboration. Many Jotun product innovations involve partnerships with owners and shipyards, while others involve cooperation with technical partners and relevant stakeholders in both the private and public sectors.” “For example, in 2013, Jotun helped form an ISO working group made of 53 experts to develop the industry’s first hull and propeller performance standard (ISO 19030), released in 2016. And last year, Jotun joined the Clean Hull Initiative (CHI), which aims to develop a global standard for proactive hull cleaning in international shipping.Creating standards gives owners the tools to measure performance,” says Fon. “And what can be measured can be managed.” Proactive hull cleaning solution As a pioneer in proactive hull cleaning, Jotun is a key partner in the CHI As a pioneer in proactive hull cleaning, Jotun is a key partner in the CHI. In fact, Jotun launched Hull Skating Solutions (HSS), the world first proactive hull cleaning solution, in 2020. HSS includes a remotely operated underwater hull cleaning unit (the Jotun HullSkater), which uses non-abrasive brushes to remove fouling before it can attach to the hull, without damaging the antifouling coating. To develop this technology, Jotun worked with a team of partners, including Kongsberg Maritime, Wallenius Wilhelmsen, Semcon, Telenor and DNV. “HSS is a good example of how partnerships are key to developing unique solutions to help industry improve environmental performance,” he says. “HSS not only maintains an always clean hull it lowers the risk of spreading invasive species, which can wreak havoc on local marine eco-systems. Protection of biodiversity goes hand in hand with decarbonisation in the shipping industry, and both require a clean hull and attention to biofouling management.” Sharing standardised reports Fon is also encouraged by the industry’s embrace of data-driven services to improve performance. “Increasingly strict regulations, combined with growing pressure from cargo owners to lower emissions, have resulted in more focus on transparency,” he says. “To achieve compliance and become more competitive, owners have to be able to measure, record and share standardised reports on emissions and the condition of their hulls.” The ability to document regulatory compliance extends to protecting sensitive marine eco-systems The ability to document regulatory compliance extends to protecting sensitive marine eco-systems. “Many countries have become more sensitive to invasive species and will deny port access to vessels who cannot document a clean hull,” says Fon. “Good biofouling management policies and the tools to measure and report on performance, will help owners avoid the so called ‘dirty hull syndrome’, a growing issue for owners.” Offering enhanced services Fon says that with the launch of Jotun’s Hull Performance Solutions (HPS) in 2010, the company got an early start on developing its own digital services. “In addition to our premium hull coating SeaQuantum x200 and high-end technical service, HPS includes a performance-based guarantee, calculated using data taken from onboard sensors,” he explains. “Access to this data not only allowed us to verify HPS performance, it gave us some real insight into hull performance over time adding to our understanding and expertise.” With more than 1,400 HPS applications to date, Jotun now has the industry’s most extensive database on hull performance. “Based on data collected over a decade, we have developed advanced algorithms on hull efficiency to offer enhanced services, such as the Business Impact Calculator and Jotun Voyager, a decision support tool helping customers select the right hull coatings for individual trades,“ he says. Optimising hull performance “And last year, we launched HullKeeper, a digital platform to help ship operators optimise hull performance, using remotely operated inspection drones, ROVs and other technologies, regardless of the applied coating.“ When asked if all these investments in hull cleaning robots and digital services means Jotun is changing its business model, Fon laughs. “Never!” he says. “Everything we do supports our core offering: Marine coatings. That’s why we invested in one of the most advanced R&D facilities in Norway,” he adds, gesturing at the gleaming white building visible next door. “We have over 100 chemists working every day to develop next generation products to meet the evolving demands of the industry and remain committed to solving the industry challenges today, and tomorrow.” Improving energy efficiency Fon acknowledges that managing biofouling represents only a small piece of the decarbonisation puzzle Fon acknowledges that managing biofouling represents only a small piece of the decarbonisation puzzle. To achieve meaningful change, Fon believes owners need common global regulations and more support from the public sector to accelerate the green energy shift. In the meantime, owners would be wise to consider an “all of the above” approach to improving energy efficiency. “As we will see at Nor Shipping 2023, there are a lot of solutions out there but in my view, investing in premium hull coatings is ‘low hanging fruit’, especially now that regulations on emissions and biofouling guidelines are tightening and bunkering costs remain high,” he says. “Owners have to paint the hulls of their vessels anyway, so why not choose a hull coating that is not only proven to reduce fuel costs and corresponding emissions, but can help them compete for high value cargoes by keeping their CII ratings high?” Jotun hull performance coatings In fact, Jotun has calculated (based on EU MRV data) that HPS helps lower carbon intensity by an average of about 20 per cent per year, and, depending on the trade, can expect a return on investment in about the same time period. “Even when more expensive alternative fuels become available, clean hulls will help owners maintain operational efficiency and profitability and limit the risk of invasive species,” Fon says. “We calculated that in 2022 alone, ships using Jotun hull performance coatings avoided 7.9 million tonnes of C02 emissions, so the impact is significant.” Expensive alternative fuels Fon is realistic about the challenges that face the industry, but insists that leadership, innovation and collaboration are the way forward. “We see ourselves as part of the solution, but we also know that by working with other industry players, we can maximise our impact,” says Fon. “At Jotun, we are committed to being a part of the solution and Nor-Shipping is a great place to make new friends!”

Nor-Shipping 2025 Partners with Emirates to Elevate Attendee Experience

Nor-Shipping 2025, taking place 2-6 June in Oslo and Lillestrøm, has announced a major partnership with Emirates.  The pioneer airline has signed as Lounge Partner, taking charge of the luxurious Emirates Lounge at the exhibition centre, while also offering Nor-Shipping participants and visitors exclusive fares. Exclusive benefits for attendees A first-class meeting place with exclusive benefits, and premium hospitality elevating the Nor-Shipping experience"Emirates is a global brand known for quality and service, and we are proud to have them as our Lounge Partner in 2025. Together, we will create a first-class meeting place for our participants, offering comfort, networking opportunities and exclusive benefits", says Sidsel Nordvik, CEO of Nor-Shipping. Attendees booking return flights from Emirates gateway cities to Oslo will be able to access a special 10% discount on Flex and Flex Plus in Business and Economy Class, and 5% off Saver tickets in Business and Economy Class. In addition, Emirates Skywards Platinum members will enjoy free lounge access during the week, enjoying a unique location serving delicious drinks and snacks, while offering a space for business and social meetings with a relaxed, friendly and informal feel. Perfect partners Nor-Shipping plays a crucial role in driving the future of ocean and maritime industries, fostering global connections"The ocean and maritime industries are integral to the future well-being and development of global society, and Nor-Shipping is essential as a platform for enabling and supporting their progress," says Terje Grue, Emirates Country Manager for Norway and Iceland. The synergies between their global reach and ours make this partnership a perfect fit. This connect people, businesses, and nations with comfort and quality service. Now, take a look forward to bringing decision-makers to this unique event and supporting them on the ground to foster business, deals, and sustainable maritime development, Grue adds. Growing excitement Nor-Shipping is expected to attract in excess of 50,000 participants this June, when it celebrates its 60th anniversary, with exhibitors from all over the globe spanning the full spectrum of maritime and ocean-related business. In addition to the exhibition, a full conference programme – including The Ocean Leadership Conference, The Ocean Invest Conference, Blue Talks, and the Deepsea Minerals Conference, to name a selection – and social and networking events will ensure something for everybody. Nor-Shipping travel window The travel period for delegates travelling to Nor-Shipping starts five calendar days prior to the official start date and ends 15 calendar days after the last official day of the event. Both the out-bound flight and return flight must be taken during this period.

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