PRESS RELEASE: Nor-Shipping has revised its shipping awards initiative, combining its two existing categories into one for 2019. ‘Your Arena for Ocean Solutions’, taking place in Oslo and Lillestrøm, Norway, from 04 to 07 June 2019, is merging the Energy Efficiency Award and Next Generation Ship Award into a single accolade that supports and showcases the on-going evolution of maritime.
The new, standalone Next Generation Ship Award will, according to Nor-Shipping Director Per Martin Tanggaard, champion the projects that best represent the global ambitions of the modern industry.
Star performer
“Since their introduction in 2011, our awards have grown into an established and popular initiative that see the best shipping technology, ideas and talent fighting it out for recognition,” he notes. “However, the industry does not stay still and we’re committed to evolving with it to support sustainable success and highlight new business opportunities.
“As such we thought the Energy Efficiency Award had had its day. The IMO’s Energy Efficiency Design Index, introduced in 2013, is now firmly established, meaning that efficiency is now mandated for most new vessels. Therefore it makes perfect sense to combine this category into the Next Generation Ship Award, allowing us to really focus in on one star performer every two years.
“This increases the prestige of the title and leaves us with one winner that will encapsulate shipping’s drive to be smarter, greener, and more efficient, demonstrating how the industry is acting today for success tomorrow. This is an award that we believe every forward-thinking owner, operator, yard and supplier will want to be associated with.”
Open for entries
The call for entries for the new accolade has now been launched, with further details found at the Next Generation Ship Award website. It is open to all vessels that have either been delivered or which have undergone major conversion since the 2017 Nor-Shipping Exhibition, or that are scheduled for delivery within three years of the 2019 event.
Nor-Shipping’s expert jury will look to identify the project demonstrating the greatest advances and innovation in design, assessed with respect to energy efficiency, innovation, suitability and flexibility, technology utilisation, safety and security, and environmental sustainability. All ship types will be given equal consideration, regardless of size or segment.
Refining focus
The awards move marks another step forward in the recent evolution of Nor-Shipping, which is refining its focus to embrace new ocean business opportunities and support the on-going development and success of its core maritime audience.
Nor-Shipping’s final Energy Efficiency Award in 2017 recognized the 43,000 dwt Venture Joy handymax, with Color Line’s Color Hybrid ferry collecting the coveted Next Generation Award.
