Nor-Shipping Crowd-Sources to Turn Industry Problems into Profit

Nor-Shipping invites the next generation to find solutions to this generation’s challenges through its unique ‘Problem to Profit’ initiative. The leading global maritime event week, taking place in Oslo and Lillestrøm, Norway, from May 30 to June 2, 2017, will work with key industry players and networks to identify unresolved industry ‘pain points’, before using social media to engage young people in a process that could set a new course for the world of shipping.

Nor-Shipping 2017 is taking a proactive approach to the challenges facing the industry, adopting an overall theme of ‘Catalyst for Change’, while dedicating exhibition Hall A to Disruptive Sustainability. Problem to Profit marks another move against convention, tapping into fresh talent while building bridges between established players and future leaders.

“Shipping is a driver for world development and prosperity, but the industry faces mounting challenges and needs to develop a more sustainable path forwards,” explains Nor-Shipping Director Birgit Liodden. ”This new concept will engage a broad spectrum of young people – from those already working in the industry to business entrepreneurs, students and those simply interested in sustainability – in a search for ideas and solutions that established shipping actors may not have considered.

“We believe this is an exciting opportunity for the industry to reach out beyond its traditional borders, mobilizing the potential of talented young individuals it wouldn’t otherwise be able to connect with. This is a unique opportunity for new ideas, across new platforms, and a new type of conversation. We’ll be working hard to realise its full potential.”

Nor-Shipping is anchoring the initiative in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals, utilizing them, and its next generation advisory network, to identify a number of relevant pain points. Key industry figures will contribute to videos on the issues, to be posted on the Nor-Shipping website and YouTube. Educational institutions and young people from the industry and beyond (including those from the fields of tech, finance and communication) will then be invited to participate in sharing solutions, submitting videos of their ideas.

The best submissions will be shared through Nor-Shipping’s online channels, with standout contributors invited to the event’s Ocean Opportunity Talks in Oslo. Five individuals will be invited to participate in Ocean Opportunity Pitch Sessions during Nor-Shipping week, competing for cash prize, mentors and summer internships.

“It will be very interesting to see the perspectives from universities, colleges and young individuals who are perhaps considering these challenges for the very first time,” Liodden concludes. “We encourage our network to share details of relevant maritime universities and colleges, as well as organizations for young professionals and entrepreneurs, to ensure we can engage and involve young talents and change-makers worldwide.

“By connecting the industry with tomorrow’s talent we know that both sides will learn new things and build bonds with mutual benefits. The output of Problem to Profit will be an open, sharing initiative available for the global industry.

“Nor-Shipping is excited to initiate this campaign promoting our industry's broad span of opportunities for the next generation and, we hope, engaging audiences worldwide in finding solutions that can be catalysts for positive change within the maritime industry.”