Norway – pioneering sustainable shipping

                                                                                            Sjekkes mot fremføring

Ladies and gentlemen,

Thank you for the invitation to speak at this conference. The need for cleaner energy in shipping is increasing. The maritime community for batteries in Norway is growing. This is good news for both Norway and the rest of the world!

Let me introduce myself. My name is Daniel Bjarmann- Simonsen. Seven weeks ago, I entered into the position as State Secretary in the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries. I am glad to be here today. To listen and to learn. The Maritime sector will be one of my main priorities in the time to come.

Ulsteinvik – in the heart of a region that has played a major role in the maritime sector since the very beginning. Could there be a more perfect place to discuss how to make the maritime industry greener? During these two days you will share experiences and discuss challenges. So you can continue your good work. And move the maritime industry forward in the right direction. A greener direction. And make zero-emission technology and electrically powered vessels a reality. A vital contritution, saving the world with a green business case.

We have a long and proud traditions in shipping and maritime industry in Norway. The maritime sector is currently among our most global, innovative and forward-looking industries. And the Norwegian maritime cluster is a significant international player on the global arena.

In 2016, the industry created values for close to 141 billion Norwegian kroner. Excluding the oil companies, this constitutes around 9 percent of the total value creation of the Norwegian private sector. That’s substantial. Declining oil prices, however, hit the maritime sector hard, and these numbers are therefore lower than in 2014.

Despite the shock, the Norwegian maritime industry has shown resilience, adaptability, and is continuously exploring new market opportunities. Through the crisis, the industry has maintained its position as a global knowledge based industry with a strong position in markets worldwide. I just visited Kleven, whch serves as a good example.

The Norwegian Maritime Authority has been a key player in developing regulations for new technology. They do this in close collaboration with the industry and initiate processes for the development of global regulations. Like bringing autonomous ships on the IMO agenda last June, to mention one example.

The world is changing, and it is changing fast. Norway – as the rest of the world – is therefore in a period of necessary restructuring. The Paris Agreement’s aim is to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change. This is the frame of our work. And Norway will take action and reduce emissions by at least 40 per cent by 2030. There is no doubt that the industry – and the society in general – will benefit from a greener shipping industry and more environmental friendly solutions.

The government's policy for environmentally friendly shipping is outlined in the Maritime Strategy from 2015. However, our ocean industries have not developed separate from one another – and the development of environmentally friendly shipping is already benefitting other industries, such as the seafood industry and the offshore sector.

The idea of looking at the ocean industries in conjunction has been central to Norwegian politics in later years. In 2017  the government launched its ocean strategy, which focuses on further developing of our ocean-based industries, as well as a white paper for the oceans, focusing on the role of the ocean in our foreign policy.

A key part of the ocean strategy is the acknowledgement of the importance of crossover of technology and know-how between the ocean industries  and exploring new potential. Like applying offshore technology in fish farming and the digital revolution in developing autonomous ships.

Norway has taken the lead in developing green maritime solutions. Through green and innovatie requirements in public procurement ferry tenders, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration is challenging the maritime industry to push zero-emission technology further. From the first electrical ferry Ampere in 2015, we expect by 2021 that 63 ferries powered by battery solutions will be operating in Norwegian fjords.  The spill-over effect from battery powered solutions to other types of vessels has already begun. The ship of the year 2016 Vision of the Fjords is an excellent example. So is the fish farming vessel Elfrida.

Green requirements and innovative methods in public procurement tenders, is just one of many tools that have been put in place to support the development of a greener maritime industry. For instance:

• The NOx Fund has been one of the most important driving forces in stimulating the use of new emission reducing technologies, such as LNG. 
• The government has entered into a new NOx-agreement with the industry that will last from 2018 to 2025, and will continue to create new opportunities for the industry.
• ENOVA, the government enterprise responsible for the promotion of environmentally friendly production and consumption of energy, has provided more than 370 billion kroner in grants to more than 60 electrification-projects in Norwegian harbours since 2016.
• In 2016, the Norwegian Research Council, Innovation Norway and Enova launched the PILOT-E scheme. Pilot-E aims to support the development of more environmentally friendly technology for products and services. Shipping was the focal point of 2017, on-shore vehicles are the focal point in 2018.
• And, lastly, Innovation Norway, is supporting the development of green shipping through its innovation loans and programs.

Dear friends,

Norway affirms its commitments to the Paris Agreement and the UN sustainable goals. Green solutions within shipping and maritime industry is an extremely important contribution to this major task. The government wants the maritime industry to be a frontrunner in developing green maritime technology and zero-emission solutions. To make maritime batteries a success is one of the steps Norway is taking to prepare for a greener future. Solution and products from Norway to the world.

Thank you for your attention!