Nor-Shipping show postponed over COVID-19

Organizers of the maritime trade show Nor-Shipping have postponed the annual event until January 2022 over COVID-19 concerns.

The Norwegian exhibition will now be held Jan. 10-13 2022 instead of June 2021.

Nor-Shipping 2019 saw more than 50 000 participants (a 34% increase over 2017), gathering from over 85 nations, at the main exhibition halls in Lillestrøm and across venues throughout nearby Oslo. However, under the current circumstances, the planned 2021 program could not have delivered the same industry impact, experience and value, state Nor-Shipping Directors Karen Algaard and Per Martin Tanggaard.

“Nor-Shipping is renowned as the global gathering point for ocean stakeholders,” Tanggaard said. “A place where they can meet in person, connect, share knowledge, build relationships, and really enable the strategies to unlock sustainable success in the ocean space. 2019 demonstrated that appeal, and it was our plan to build on that in 2021, giving this unique community even more support, even more value, and even more success. It’s now become clear we can’t deliver on that ambition.”

Nor-Shipping 2021 postpones to January 2022 over COVID-19 concerns.

The decision to postpone has been taken in consultation with all Nor-Shipping partners and a number of exhibitors, who overwhelmingly supported a move to enable greater contact and connection. Of those approached, over 90% of exhibitors were in favor of the rescheduling, with many stating that any participation in a summer 2021 event could have been challenging. 100% of partners backed the decision. It was further noted that the opportunity to provide a “once in a lifetime” Norwegian winter experience could be a significant draw for participants, as well as an opportunity to tailor memorable exhibition stands and activities.

The Norwegian Institute of Public Health has stated an expectation that social distancing measures will be in place until either the end of summer or autumn 2021. As such, Algaard says a postponement is the sensible move – for both the event and the industry it showcases and supports.

Nor-Shipping is currently working on a selection of digital initiatives to take place during 2021. Further details of these, and the 2022 event, will be released in the near future.