NBAS, in partnership with Maritime and Port Authority Singapore, the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Singapore and Innovation Norway, hosted a special insights panel Towards Zero Emissions. Together with a number of experts from leading companies in the field, we explored the Norwegian contribution to sustainability in the maritime sector. These are the main insights and highlights from the event.
We are facing a common challenge
Norway and Singapore are “ocean partners”, driving innovation and new tech solutions for the maritime industry with the aim of driving positive environmental change. “It is therefore very timely and outmost important that this year, Singapore Maritime Week has focused on discussing and presenting possible solutions that will help drive the changes needed for our planet” says NBAS President Leonard Stornes.
“We [Singapore and Norway] focus on knowledge as a driver for change and development” says Norwegian Ambassador to Singapore, H.E. Anita Nergaard. She emphasizes that both our nations are forward-looking and acknowledge the fundamental challenge of climate change to human life. Moreover, Singapore and Norway seek to contribute where we can and where we have something to offer.
Singapore and Norway both supported “the Paris agreement for shipping”, which requires emission cuts of 50% by 2050. To reach these targets, new solutions must be invented, new fuels must be tried and tested, and new ecosystems must be explored. “Achieving zero emissions from shipping is no small feat, however, there are many interesting technologies either commercially available or under development today that will help us to just that” says Director of Innovation Norway, Pål Kastmann.
‘Electrification of short sea shipping
With moderator Ronny Waage (Managing Partner, Heron Advisory), Erik Barclay (SVP, New technology & New ventures, Yinson Green Technologies), Hege Økland (Managing Director at NCE Maritime Cleantech), Pia Meling (VP at Massterly, a Wilhelmsen and Kongsberg JV) and Pål Kastmann (Commercial Counselor, Norwegian Embassy Singapore, and Director Innovation Norway Singapore)
Norway currently has 30 electric vessels under operation – and it will be 60 by the end of the year. There are a number of more initiatives in the pipeline and under development. The panelists discussed the success factors behind these Norwegian projects, their driving forces, as well as their financing.
Decarbonizing deep sea shipping
With moderator Ronny Waage (Managing partner, Heron Advisory), Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen (CEO, DNV Maritime), Quah Ley Hoon (Chief Executive, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore), Dr Sharin Osman (Regional Head of Maritime Advisory and Director, Maritime Decarbonisation and Autonomy Centre of Excellence, DNV), Narsimha Rao (SVP Production, Supply Chain and Operational Excellence, Yara) and Lasse Kristoffersen (Chief Executive Officer at Torvald Klaveness).
The panelists discussed the potential and limits for “Norwegian” fuel sources like hydrogen and green ammonia, as well as LNG as the interim fuel. They also touched on a number of challenges in the journey towards decarbonization, including infrastructure, investements, physical capacity and safety.
Useful resources:
- Shipping’s big problem
- Green ammonia may decarbonize the shipping industry
- The maritime industry in times of the pandemic
- Decarbonize – stay profitable
- “Someone has to go first” – Ferry and RoRo insights
- Decarbonization is the main task of our generation
- Kongsberg maritime and massterly to equip and operate two zero-emission autonomous vessels for ASKO
- Yara partners with Statkraft and Aker Horizons to establish Europe’s first large-scale green ammonia project in Norway
Event recording:
Event sponsors:
Yara is a gold sponsor for the event. Read more about their green ammonia project here.
DNV is a gold sponsor for the event. They recently established a regional Centre of Excellence in Singapore for South East Asia to drive decarbonization and autonomy in shipping. Read more about it here.
Flokk provides our chairs for the event.
Norwegian Cultural Center is our year sponsor. They have recently launched in Singapore and will be hosting a range of exciting events throughout the year. Stay tuned!
NBAS is collaborating with upcoming artists in Singapore and Norway to showcase their work, while we get a creative take on our graphic profile. In April 2021, NBAS features Doodle twins. Learn more here and purchase their art here.
