Manila -- The first Norway - Philippines Maritime and Energy Conference is set to Create Currents at the Manila Peninsula Hotel this October, celebrating the strong business relations in the maritime and energy sector.
Over 45 speakers and experts from both Norway and the Philippines are taking on the most pressing issues of our time. The conference aims to push sustainability and innovation in both sectors.
“Norway is a long-term partner of the Philippines. Our maritime cooperation spans over 100 years. We are bringing a century-old Norwegian tall ship to celebrate our common seafaring history,” says Norwegian Ambassador-Designate to the Philippines Christian Halaas Lyster.
“We are also looking to expand these strong ties into new industries, such as renewable energy, where Norwegian companies have a lot to offer,” he added.
The conference will coincide with the arrival of the 108-year old Norwegian ship Statsraad Lemkuhl in Manila. The vessel is currently on a global navigation around the world under One Ocean Expedition, a global campaign that shares knowledge about the importance of the ocean in achieving sustainable development for the future. Stratsraad Lemkuhl serves as a floating university/training vessel for students, scientists and professionals around the world and is arriving in Manila from Ishigaki, Japan.
PARTNERS AT SEA
Maritime Conference | 13 October 2022
Today, there are over 25,000 Filipinos working on Norwegian-controlled and Norwegian-owned ships. Moreover, there are over 50 companies with Norwegian maritime interests established in the Philippines.
Norway is the fourth largest shipping nation in the world measured by value, and one of the leading nations when it comes to shipping technology and zero emissions solutions for the maritime sector. The goal is ambitious: by 2050, the entire Norwegian fleet will be carbon neutral.
The conference will present solutions and technologies for the present transitional period and for a carbon neutral near future. Solutions and technologies involving hydrogen, ammonia, bio energy and offshore wind – to mention a few.
These rapid changes in the industry together with global socio-economic uncertainties will require agility from both ship owners and managers to attract, retain, and recruit for the future. Enhanced competence and skills development become even more important. With world class Filipino talents, the partnership of Norway and the Philippines will continue to strengthen.
SPEEDING UP THE ENERGY TRANSITION
Energy Conference | 14 October 2022
Norway is a world-leading player in renewable energy and ready to assist the Philippines in its goal of increasing the share of renewable energy in the energy mix by 30% by 2030.
“Norwegian companies and investors can play a very crucial role delivering renewable energy solutions to the Philippines. This for example includes developing offshore wind and floating solar, in addition to LNG as a transitional source of energy”, says Norwegian Ambassador-Designate to the Philippines Christian Halaas Lyster.
Norway is not a newcomer to the Philippine energy market. Norwegian company Scatec owns and operates four hydropower players together with Aboitiz Energy. Their joint venture, SN Aboitiz Power, also installed floating solar technology on the Magat Dam in 2019. The technology was provided by Ocean Sun, another Norwegian company. Others are also looking into deploying innovative solutions for floating solar in the Philippines.
On Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), Oslo-based BW is a partner of local company FirstGen LNG in developing LNG capabilities for the country. BW's FSRU facility and the ship BW Batangas, an LNG processing facility, is the debut project of the five-year LNG partnership.
Norway is also looking forward to introducing new renewable energy technologies, where the Philippines has a competitive advantage. A recent World Bank report has shown that the country has the potential to develop up to 178 GW of offshore wind. Norwegian companies are looking forward to exploring these opportunities with local partners in the Philippines.
The two-day conference is organized by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Manila, Norwegian Training Center (NTC), Norwegian Shipowners Association (NSA), and the Philippines - Norway Business Council (PNBC).
For more information about the conference, please visit: Norway - Philippines Maritime & Energy Conference | Creating Currents Together