IT FEELS good, doesn’t it?

After a year and a half in home office chairs, bound by endless digital meetings, many of us can venture out into the world again and meet one another face-to-face.

Although the pandemic isn’t ended, and we must still exercise caution, the restrictions that kept us apart — closing offices and locking down borders — are gradually lifting. In Norway, for example, the national measures in place for 561 days are no more. That means no limits on social and business gatherings (indoors or out), no social distancing, and international travel that, for the majority, is free from restrictions.

In other words, it means a ‘normal’ Nor-Shipping is once again possible, after the summer 2021 event was put on ice.

So, get ready, block off your schedule and dust off your suitcase; from January 10-13, you are cordially invited to join your fellow industry decisionmakers in Oslo and Lillestrøm for Nor-Shipping 2022.

The timing, in some respects, couldn’t be better.

Not only will Nor-Shipping 2022 act as the first, full ‘post lock-down’ nternational maritime and ocean industries event, but it will also come post COP26, when the world, including maritime, has to find the ambition, solutions and partnerships to navigate towards a truly sustainable future.

To do this, we need one another.

People are the heart of maritime, and it’s the face-to-face meetings, often spontaneous at events and conferences, that build relationships, transfer knowledge and inspire the innovations that create real game-changing value.

Just think, after all this time maintaining our businesses, planning for the future and building ideas, products or services, we can be let loose to share this pent-up potential with the rest of our industry.

I’ve spoken to many business leaders in the past weeks who have come home from their first physical meetings positively enthused by the energy they’ve experienced.

Imagine that shared between 50,000 participants at Nor-Shipping, with around 900 exhibiting companies, from more than 60 countries.

I believe magic — in terms of chemistry, deals and discoveries — will happen this coming January.

Get social

As important as the 22,500 sq. ft exhibition space in Lillestrøm is, the social arena in Oslo — where Nor-Shipping After Work will be held at Aker Brygge — will see thousands of industry stakeholders gather to enjoy fine food, drink and company in one of the Norwegian capital’s ‘hottest’ locations.

The power of meeting your peers and connecting (especially after such a prolonged break) should not be underestimated.

Next year’s Nor-Shipping will also offer something unique, with the first ever January event delivering the chance to experience an industry winter wonderland. Expect themed activities, tailored partner events, and an unforgettable few days in the beautiful Oslo region.

Leading the way

Referring back to COP26 and our need for sustainable success, the demand for leadership is greater than ever.

Key stakeholders must work together, transfer expertise, showcase innovation and plot the path to tomorrow with the unity and collective ambition to achieve both business and climate goals.

That is why Nor-Shipping 2022 is kicking off with the Ocean Leadership Conference, gathering some 800 C-level executives whose businesses are creating new solutions or making progress with decarbonisation and sustainability, to focus on the need to take positive #ACTION - the main theme of Nor-Shipping 2022.

For the first time, this opening conference will take place in Nor-Shipping’s own Nova Studios in Lillestrøm — recently revamped to provide an optimal environment for keynotes, round-table discussions and industry mingling.

It’s a fresh beginning for a conference that commands industry attention.

The same can be said of Nor-Shipping itself, an event we’ve been waiting for, for an overly long time.

I hope to share that experience with you at Nor-Shipping 2022, Your Arena for Ocean Solutions.

For further details please see www.nor-shipping.com.