News: Ambassador hosts industry leaders at UK Nor-Shipping reception
The UK embassy in Oslo last night (Wednesday) played host to global maritime industry leaders for the UK reception at Nor-Shipping.
The joint government-industry reception demonstrates the ‘Team UK’ approach being adopted by both industry and government to promote the UK’s maritime sector and strengthen the UK’s position as a competitive maritime centre.
Running for 50 years, Nor-Shipping is a key fixture of the global maritime calendar, attracting industry players from across the world. The presence of leading figures from the entire maritime sector makes Nor-Shipping a recognised arena for strategic deal-making and networking.
Hosting the reception, Sarah Gillett, HM Ambassador to Norway told industry leaders of the UK government’s commitment to supporting, strengthening and growing the UK maritime sector.
The reception, she added, allows "our friends from around the maritime world to explore future partnerships and further business links with the UK’s world-class companies."
Gregory Darling, Vice Chair of Maritime UK and Chairman of the Gardline Group, described the UK’s complete package offer for global maritime business:
“As an island nation, the UK has long been the centre of global maritime business. You can find the breadth and depth of our expertise throughout the UK with particular maritime clusters in London, Merseyside, Southampton, Aberdeen, Hull and beyond.
“Today UK maritime capabilities are used by the rest of the world, and our pioneering technology, manufacturing, design, engineering and services mean the UK offers a complete package for all maritime business.”
This complete package comprises a world-class business environment, a culture of innovation, connected infrastructure, world-class education and training, and global influence. The UK is a high quality and innovative partner for maritime products and services, and an attractive centre to invest and base a maritime business.
Menon’s recent ranking of global maritime capitals again ranked London as number one in maritime finance and law.
During the reception, industry leaders were invited to visit the UK in September for London International Shipping Week. LISW17 will be the ‘must attend’ maritime event of 2017, offering over 160 industry functions and unique networking opportunities for leaders across all sectors of the international maritime sector. The week will provide a platform for deal making, and showcase the UK’s maritime offer.
The UK pavilion at Nor-Shipping is organised by SMI, who represent the UK’s marine engineering industry. The UK pavilion is showcasing highly innovative, world-leading UK maritime businesses, and can be found at CO3.