Feature / 04 Jun 2023

Nor-Shipping: Partnerships key to sustainable future

This week sees the return of Nor-Shipping, with key decision-makers from around the world coming together in Lillestrøm, Norway, to discuss and potentially unlock new business opportunities in the maritime sector.

The event welcomes players across segments, sectors, industries and borders, bringing the world together for a brighter, more sustainable and profitable business future. Last year, Nor-Shipping 2022 attracted almost 30,000 participants with 596 of the world’s leading maritime companies showcasing products and services – and the scale of this year’s event is again expected to demonstrate its increasing global importance.

The overall focus continues to be on sustainability with this year’s theme - ’Partnerships and Finding Investments and Technology to Drive Sustainability Efforts’ - reflecting what is happening in maritime globally.

GAC Norway has several sustainability projects and initiatives underway, in line with the GAC Group’s commitment to sustainability and accelerating decarbonisation across the wider maritime industry.

As the middle point between customers and suppliers, the company works to “raise the bar” with sustainable credentials and they are in a strong position to create a positive impact on ‘Partnership for the Goals’, one of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

SDG17

A key partnership projects is GAC Norway’s involvement with HyValue, a major Norwegian hydrogen energy project. By drawing on the GAC Group’s broad experience and expertise of low carbon and sustainable bunker fuels, they are supporting the HyValue initiative to help develop strategies for the storage, handling, and bunkering of hydrogen for maritime applications.

Further, GAC Norway and long-term customer, global geophysical marine seismic services provider Shearwater GeoServices AS joined forces last year for an exclusive sustainability workshop which saw employees from both companies sharing their respective experiences, values and commitment to sustainability. And by examining the daily operational challenges they face, current practices were assessed and areas where greater sustainability can be introduced were identified.

OOE return

GAC Norway also supported the One Ocean Expedition, which saw the Norwegian tall ship Statsraad Lehmkuhl take students, scientists, trainees and professionals around the world to gather experience and knowledge about the ocean and advance maritime research.

Positive impact
“As GAC is a service provider, it is important that we support all our clients and present the benefits and cost effectiveness of working with sustainable practices,” says GAC Norway’s General Manager, Mikael Rodseth. “Similarly, suppliers who want to work with GAC have to go through a strict vetting process which requires them to acknowledge and comply with our code of conduct stipulating requirements on ethics, Quality, Health, Safety, and Environment (QHSSE) management and more.

“Sustainable practices are at the top of the agenda right now – hence the importance of following GAC’s expectations, ethics, and environmental guidelines.

“It takes two hands to clap and multiple parties to help ensure that we hit the respective net-zero targets for decarbonisation.”

Hyvalue

Nor-Shipping 2023 plays a big role in bringing together people and businesses with a common goal for sustainable ocean development - and GAC Norway is playing its part in that.

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