Norway will be one of two countries hosting a dedicated country pavilion at the Maritime India Summit 2016 in Mumbai this week. A range of Norwegian maritime companies will present their competence and technology at the pavilion.
The Maritime India Summit is a flagship initiative of the Indian Ministry of Shipping, and provides a platform for foreign companies to explore potential business opportunities in the Indian maritime sector. The summit is being organised for the first time this year, and will take place in Mumbai from 14 April to 16 April.
Norway and South Korea are the only countries hosting dedicated country pavilions during the summit. Innovation Norway has organized the 132 square meters pavilion which will present Norwegian companies working in the maritime sector, including DNV GL, Goltens, Jotun, Kongsberg Maritime, NORINCO and Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics. The Norwegian Business Association in India, which represents about 20 maritime companies from Norway, will also participate.
A large number of foreign delegates will attend the summit. Mr. Olav Akselsen, who is the Director General of Norwegian Maritime Authority and a former Minister for Petroleum and Energy, will lead the Norwegian delegation, which will be meeting Minister of Shipping, Mr. Nitin Gadkari, and representatives of the National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI).
Mr. Akselsen will also give a speech at the Session on Maritime Nations. The topic will be Norway's maritime policy, as well as safety and environmental sustainability in the maritime industry. There will also be a Norway-centric panel discussion, concerning Norwegian expertise for maritime cluster-led development of coastal India. The panel will consist of representatives from DNV GL, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics, Jotun, Kongsberg Maritime and NORINCO. The panel discussion will be followed by a networking event with the Norwegian delegation in the evening.
The maritime cooperation between Norway and India is multifaceted and covers areas from manufacturing and maintenance of tools and equipment and over 2000 Indian seafarers working onboard Norwegian vessels. In 2010, Norway and India established a Joint Working Group on maritime affairs. Some of the areas identified for collaboration are coastal shipping and inland waterways, LNG-based shipping, cooperation in ports and sustainable shipping. The Norwegian fleet is one of the biggest and most modern in the world, and Norwegian shipping companies are engaged in all shipping segments.
The Norwegian maritime industry has developed many business partnerships in India, and is eager to do more.
