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February 24 News
The Norwegian American Chamber of Commerce
NEWS AND EVENTS
FOR THE NORWEGIAN-AMERICAN BUSINESS COMMUNITY
 
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PRESS FROM THE CONFERENCE
HACC NACC Conference: Geopolitics Meets Supply Chains
The February 2023 Hellenic American / Norwegian American conference (“HACC / NACC”, referring to the two Chambers of Commerce who organized the event) included a session on an important topic that has retreated from the news headlines, but is still of vital importance to shipping industry participants. Indeed, moderator John Stratakis framed the Supply Chain panel with questions of how logistics is connected to Geopolitics (the overarching theme of the one day in person gathering). The remarks of panel member Peter Tirschwell (involved in maritime journalism and heads up the very important TPM event, the leading gathering for liner shipping and logistics participants) stood out on this panel. In response to a question from Stratakis, Tirschwell described the events of the last few years as “One big shock- unlike any that had been experienced previously….and, now, as quickly as it materialized- it vanished.” He went on to opine that “Everything about the supply chain is largely back to normal,” but then asked the question about whether participants should think about building resilience into the system, saying that was a big discussion item, presumably to be a big topic at the end February TPM confab to be held at Long Beach, California. Later on, he said that ports still remain highly vulnerable to another surge (with backups at ports responsible for the havoc of 2021 into early 2022). Read full story: gcaptain.com

Navigating the new world of sanctions
Shipping and energy have become the focus of foreign policy initiatives with an increasingly complex regime of sanctions that are more insidious than in the past. The annual joint conference of the Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce, held in conjunction with its Norwegian counterpart, returned to its “in person” format last week with the theme of “Navigating Geopolitical Currents in a Time of Crisis”, The event’s timing came within two days of the new round of G7 led price caps, on refined products originating at Russian facilities, so it was little surprise to learn that sanctions were in focus. George Tsimis, a lawyer with a practice specialising in resolution of shipping disputes and a self-described history buff, who served as the moderator of the all-important panel discussing sanctions, reminded attendees that the first sanctions were actually a Greek device - The Megarian Decree - in advance of the major conflict between Athens and Megara around 433 BC. Read full story: seatrade-maritime.com

Bugbee at the crossroads of energy past and future – good business but bad for society
Scorpio Tankers and Eneti president tells why dynamics are lining up for both businesses — for better or worse. Robert Bugbee describes the Scorpio Group’s public companies as being at a crossroads of sorts as the world sorts out its energy needs and priorities. Bugbee is president of Scorpio Tankers, one of the world’s largest product carrier owners, and of Eneti, which switched out of dry bulk shipowning to become a player in wind turbine installation vessels (WTIVs). The world’s geopolitical framework is presenting strong opportunities for both of these very different New York-listed companies. But that’s not entirely a good thing, Bugbee said on Tuesday in a keynote address to the annual Hellenic-American Norwegian-American chambers of commerce joint shipping conference in Manhattan. “We have two companies – one in the past and present, and the other in the present and near-future. We can see these conflicts coming every day,” Bugbee told the audience. Delays in building for offshore wind projects have created a shortage of WTIVs, he said. “That’s good for Eneti, just as the disruption with Russia and clean-products cargoes is good for Scorpio Tankers. But neither is good for society,” Bugbee said. The conference adopted a theme of “navigating geopolitical challenges in a time of crisis” for this year’s event, and Bugbee was true to that score as he discussed world events both in an historical context and in their implications for shipping. Read full story: tradewindsnews.com

International Group lobbied for clarity around Russian oil price cap
Trade group argued for safe harbour and emergency provisions, P&I executive said. Questions around the G7 Russian oil price cap abound, but not for lack of trying from the International Group of P&I Clubs. The trade group lobbied governments for changes to price cap rules to make things more comfortable for shipping, Skuld vice president Nik Ivanov and Shipowners Claims Bureau chief operating office Dan Tadros said at the annual HACC-NACC Shipping Conference in New York on Tuesday. “When we first got there, the original version of this oil cap, the price cap included the word ‘shipper’, because to the US government, ‘shipper’ meant the ship, the charterer, the supplier, anyone who gets the oil,” said Tadros, who sits on the International Group’s sanctions committee and held discussions with US government officials on the rules. Read full story: tradewindsnews.com

Back to the future in ship finance: Did somebody say ‘syndications’?
Lender Martin Lunder has been around long enough to remember when the loan instruments were popular. It’s a word that hasn’t been used — or at least not used accurately — in the world of ship finance in a long time. But veteran lender Martin Lunder uttered the word “syndications” at Tuesday annual New York conference of the Hellenic-American Norwegian-American chambers of commerce and he meant it. Lunder – a senior lender at Nordea for more than 30 years before forming consultancy Green Harbour Advisors – said on a financial panel that the form of lending may, just may, be heading for a comeback in the changing money landscape. Read full story: tradewindsnews.com

More to come in shipping M&A cycle
The ship finance speakers at the annual shipping conference of the Hellenic American and Norwegian Chambers of Commerce recently believe more merger and acquisitions deals are on the horizon. Mark Friedman from Evercore talking about the markets, said that “one of the impacts of the stronger markets is increased consolidation…balance sheets are stronger…cash balances are higher”. “Given what’s going on, the M&A part of our business is the most active,” he said on the finance panel at the conference organised by the Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce and the Norwegian-American Chamber of Commerce. Read full story: seatrade-maritime.com
NEWS
Upgraded sustainable ship launched

Hurtigruten goes green with the MS Richard With. Last October, Hurtigruten Norway launched its first environmentally upgraded battery-hybrid powered ship, MS Richard With. It is the first of seven in the Coastal Express fleet to be upgraded and now features state-of-the-art technology that will significantly reduce both CO2 and Nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions. “With MS Richard With back in operations as a fully upgraded ship, guests can sail the Norwegian coast on a quieter, state-of-the-art, and environmentally friendly ship, while enjoying a traditional experience unlike anything in the world. Over the next year, all our seven Coastal Express ships will be upgraded to be more sustainable,” said Hedda Felin, CEO of Hurtigruten Norway. As part of a major effort to make Hurtig­ruten Norway’s fleet more sustainable, the company has invested over a million dollars toward green upgrades that will be implemented by early 2024. This move follows its sibling company, Hurtigruten Expeditions, introducing the world’s first battery-hybrid powered expedition ship, MS Roald Amundsen, in 2019. The expedition cruise brand now has three battery-hybrid powered ships in its fleet. “Becoming a green company means investing in efforts with documented effects, such as the ones we are doing now. As a result, by next summer, we will have three upgraded hybrid ships sailing the coast, and our entire fleet will be more energy efficient, cutting CO2 emissions by 25% and NOx  by 80%,” said Felin. Read full story: The Norwegian American

Is Norway’s Cuisine Really So Bad?
Despite the popularity of Norwegian salmon around the world, a new survey has ranked Norwegian food as the world’s worst cuisine. The result has caused quite a stir in the country’s media. Readers of online food encyclopedia TasteAtlas ranked Norway’s cuisine as the world’s worst cuisine among the 95 countries included in the survey. The rankings take into account audience votes for ingredients, dishes and beverages, with Italian, Greek, Spanish, Japanese and Indian cuisines coming out on top. The cuisines of Nordic neighbors Sweden (62nd), Finland (72nd) and Iceland (91st) also fared badly in the rankings. Denmark in 35th was the only Nordic nation to emerge with my credit. So, is Norwegian—and Nordic—cuisine as bad as the survey suggests? It is fair to say that some of Norway’s most traditional foods are hardly inspiring. Meats and fish were salted or air-dried in the days before refrigeration to preserve them for the winter months. Dishes such as lufefisk—aged stockfish cured in lye—and salted meats still feature on traditional menus today with plain, boiled potatoes a common accompaniment. Modern home cooking prioritises convenience, so much so that a frozen pizza brand is often considered by many to be Norway’s unofficial national dish. The actual national dish, a mutton, cabbage and boiled potato dish known as fårikål, is mostly loved for its ease of preparation. Read full story: forbes.com

The Emergence Of Oslo, Norway As Scandinavia’s Artistic Hub
Oslo is well known for its unique skyline, from Oslo City Hall to Oslo Cathedral, Nobel Peace Center, and the Norwegian Opera & Ballet with its slanted exterior rising out of the harbor, inviting visitors to walk on its roof. Something newfangled, however, is brewing along the fjord, which is good news for anyone interested in art. You’ll notice the avant-garde trendsetting art right away when you walk through the doors of THE THIEF, a waterfront Nordic Hotels & Resorts luxury property in Oslo, Norway that offers entrancing guest experiences. Located on the ever-evolving Thief Island, or the district of Tjuvholmen—the city’s new cultural hub situated near the downtown area, THE THIEF’s permanent collection has been smartly curated by Sune Nordgren, a Swedish art historian and the former director of Norway’s National Museum of Art. Each of the guest rooms and suites have original artwork created by established as well as rising artists, handpicked by Nordgren. In-room televisions creatively showcase “Art-on-Demand” functionality. Read full story: forbes.com
REVIEW
Front Fighters
Documentary film review
If you have ever thought that Norway’s war history is interesting, then I suggest that you read through this and at the very least take a look at the series that this article is about. We Norwegians seem to have an insatiable need for information about our own war history.

Of course, it is an important part of our culture, past and present, but it is also something that the generations who experienced the war years chose not to talk about. Their experiences must have been so traumatic that they simply repressed them. Another side of the same issue could be that much of what subsequently came to light about what happened during World War II was so shameful that it somehow becomes an “addendum” and in a way “too much.” An example is the way we treated the women who during the occupation period had romantic relationships with German soldiers. They were physically and mentally abused in a way one would not think possible. Their children were also ostracized and harassed in the worst way. “German youth” was a slur for generations in the post-war years. Now it turns out that themes from Norwegian war history have become very popular again. The public flocks to cinemas and streams TV series because of their insatiable desire for more information and enlightenment. Part of the reason, I think, is because new, more or less unknown stories from the occupation period 1940 – 1945 are constantly appearing. They are stories that have not been told before and thus appear as “news” so many years later. Read full review:  The Norwegian American
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO NORWAY
Oslo Landmarks: 7 Must-See Sights In Norway’s Capital City

Thanks to its busy international airport, Norway’s capital city Oslo is a popular destination to begin a trip to Norway or Scandinavia. The city surprises many with its access to nature, including the metro ride into the forest and the public ferries to the peaceful islands of the Oslofjord. The city is also home to rich cultural heritage and iconic landmarks that provide a fantastic introduction to both historic Norway and modern Scandinavian design. There are many must-see landmarks around the city, many located along the rapidly-developing waterfront. Whether you want to dig deep into Norwegian cultural heritage and modern Scandinavian lifestyle, or simply use the opportunity to take some memorable photographs, these seven landmarks are a great starting point for your itinerary. Read full story: forbes.com

Oslo vs Bergen: The Best Option for a City Break in Norway
Both Oslo and Bergen are good choices for a city break when visiting Norway. Here's what to expect in both cities and how to choose between them. Norway’s two biggest cities Oslo and Bergen offer unique and diverse experiences, from their rich cultural heritage to their outdoor experiences. There are plenty of things to do in both places. If you're planning a trip to Norway and can't decide between these two destinations, we’ll help you decide. Discover what sets each city apart, from their food, art, and entertainment scenes to the best outdoor activities and sights. Let’s start by taking a general overview of both cities. We’ll begin with the capital. Read full story: Life in Norway

7 Stunning National Parks To Visit In Norway
There’s few things more important to the Norwegian people than nature. From a young age, Norwegians are regularly taken out into the wilderness to learn the mountain code, learn how to ski and other elements needed to embrace friluftsliv, the outdoors lifestyle. Getting the balance right between granting access to nature while protecting the country’s biodiversity is a major challenge for authorities. Norway’s 47 national parks are an important part of that balance, helping to protect large areas with distinctive biodiversity. Like the other Nordic countries, Norway ensures public access to the wilderness through a ‘right to roam’ law. This grants people the right to undertake traditional activities as hiking, fishing and camping even in the national parks, as long as nature is respected. While Norway plans to create more national parks, there are already endless options to visit the present parks. From the highest peaks in Scandinavia to glacial valleys and vast mountain plateaus, there’s a wealth of wilderness to explore. Here are seven national parks worthy of attention for those planning a hiking trip to Norway. Read full story: forbes.com

Tromsø: Things To Do In Northern Norway’s Biggest City: lifeinnorway.net
10 Scenic Towns In Norway Sure To Spark Wanderlust: TheTravel
25 Very Best Places to Visit in Norway:  Life in Norway
10 reasons to visit Norway: msn.com
10 Best Norway Travel Guides: MSN Guide
NEW NACC MEMBER VIAPLAY
Viaplay, Europe’s leading streaming service, has arrived in the US and here is a gift for the lovers of highest quality international series and movies. Click the yellow button on the banner below to activate your free trial offer. 
Viaplay is the leading provider of international streaming entertainment in eleven countries in Europe, and the Nordics most prolific producer of original series, films and documentaries. 
Now they are bringing the best in exclusive international entertainment to this side of the Atlantic. From gripping crime dramas and provocative young adult series to critically acclaimed films and documentaries, there are thousands of hours of great storytelling to discover.
As a member of NACC, we are pleased to offer you a free month trial to explore all that Viaplay has to offer.
NORWEGIAN LANGUAGE CLASSES AT SCANDINAVIA HOUSE

HYBRID LEARNING AT SCANDINAVIA HOUSE

Enrollment is still open for the spring schedule of Norwegian language classes at Scandinavia House, beginning February 21! In courses held either in hybrid format (both in-person and via Zoom) and as remote learning only, students will be able to begin or continue their language learning at levels ranging from introductory to intermediate, from the very basics of structure and pronunciation to advanced conversation skills and cultural discussions. 

Norwegian 1
*In-person and via Zoom*
MONDAYS & TUESDAYS—5:45-6:45 PM
February 21 through May 15, 2023
$675 ($607.50 ASF Members); 20 hours total.
ENROLL

Norwegian 2
*In-person and via Zoom*
MONDAYS—7-9 PM
February 27 through May 15, 2023
$675 ($607.50 ASF Members); 20 hours total.
ENROLL

Norwegian 3
*In-person and via Zoom*
TUESDAYS—7-9 PM
February 21 through May 9, 2023
$675 ($607.50 ASF Members); 20 hours total.
ENROLL
HISTORY LESSON
The Case against Knut Hamsun: The Norwegian American
PAST ONLINE EVENTS
HACC NACC Shipping Conference replay
Norway Means Business

Decades of trade and commercial cooperation have been mutually beneficial to Norway and the United States in industries such as energy, clean technology, defense and the maritime sector. 

Both nations have set ambitious climate goals, agreeing to cut emissions in half by 2030. Industry will play a crucial role in reaching that goal, while at the same time creating well-paying jobs and sustainable growth. American and Norwegian business and innovation communities are leading the development of the clean technology needed, such as offshore wind, zero-emission transportation and Carbon Capture and Storage. 

This year’s Norway Means Business will gather prominent leaders and experts to explore the opportunities for our two countries and industries to work together as true partners in creating sustainable jobs and growth.​​
View Webinar
Ambassador’s Guided Tour of Modern Norway
Why did Will Ferrell attack Norway during the Super Bowl? Why do Norwegians love paying taxes? And how did the relatively small country create the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund? Beyond the often cited paid parental leave and universal healthcare, Ambassador Anniken R. Krutnes guides us through the social, economic and labor policies that have founded modern Norway.
View Webinar
NACC´s Energy Exchange - Insight From The Industry:

Offshore Wind
 
View webinar here
Nordic Series - Fintech Edition

 
The Five Nordic Chambers of Commerce in New York are hosting a webinar series with the aim to shine a light on successes within the Nordic Fintech region.
 
Hear and learn from leading Fintech experts, financial sector specialists and emerging startups on disruptive innovations and the future of Fintech.

Please join us May 19th at 11am ET for an introduction to Nordic Fintech Ecosystem.

View the webinar here
Nordics Navigate New Norms and Numbers
Please join the Nordic Consulates in Chicago for an hour of thought-provoking information and discussion about social policy. 
 
What is the new normal and how do we navigate it?
 
View the recording here
Visa & Immigration to the U.S. and Norway
 


Please joins us for a webinar to learn more about navigating the flow of information regarding visas, travel restrictions and dual citizenship.
View the recording here
BARN: Your Springboard to the U.S. Marketplace
 

Please joins us to learn about BARN - the Business Accelerator Resource Network

- Our panelists shared their experiences and success stories from entering the US market

- Find out how you can play a significant role in launching new Nordic businesses in America

BARN's Mission: To provide trusted advice and superior support to Nordic business leaders as they successfully launch their products and services in the American marketplace.
View the recording here
The 27th Annual HACC NACC Shipping Conference
 
Program
View the recording of the conference here

UN Sustainable Development Goals:
COVID-19 and the Decade of Action
The United Nations shared vision to end poverty, rescue the planet and build a peaceful world are laid out in the UN‘s Sustainable Development Goals from 2015. The Nordics have an important voice in this mission and are responding with a Nordic “Build Back Better and Greener” plan as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Watch the five Nordic Permanent Representatives to the United Nations, Volvo Car USA, Marel, Novozymes, DNV-GL and Vaisala in two panel discussions on the Decade of Action and the Nordic Response.
 
View the webinar here

NORWEGIAN AUTHORS YOU SHOULD KNOW  
Nordic Authors You Should Know at Scandinavia House continues with a focus on Norwegian literature with Jan Grue, Roy Jacobsen, Kaja Kvernbakken, and Ruth Lillegraven, moderated by author and translator Karen Havelin. The event will begin with short readings of each of the authors’ work in both English and in Norwegian, followed by interviews with the authors and a conversation on Norwegian literature today.

Support has been provided by NORLA. Media support for the series is provided by the journal EuropeNow, published by the Council for European Studies at Columbia University.

View the discussion here

A Dialogue with Stavros Lambrinidis, Ambassador of the European Union to the United States
Join us for a conversation on current U.S.-EU relations, as well as developments in transatlantic business and trade featuring Stavros Lambrinidis, Ambassador of the European Union to the United States, moderated by Gerry Baker Editor-At-Large, The Wall Street Journal. This event is a joint initiative of all the bilateral European chambers headquartered in New York.

View recording of the conversation here
 

Cruise Industry Update
New Technologies Make Cruising Safe Again
How is the industry meeting the unprecedented challenges presented by the Covid-19 virus.  Through the use of new technology and business tools the industry is creating an efficient and proactive business operation that will ensure a positive and safe consumer experience in the future.
Panelists:
Anders Aasen, Vice President, Global Marine Operations, Global Technical Solutions & Accommodations, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd.

Capt. Jan Solum, Area Manager, Atlantic & Caribbean, DNV GL Cruise Center,  Maritime Fleet in Service & Advisory Services

Teemu Pajala, Technical Manager, ABB Marine & Ports

Moderator:
Myra Shannon -Fuller, Communications Manager Americas, DNV GL - Maritime

View Recording Here

Immigration Implications in Uncertain Times
 
How to navigate the flow of information of visas and dual citizenship.

Panelists:
Susan Meyer, Honorary Consul for Illinois  

Donald Garner, Founder, LL.M. Law Group

Moderator: 
Bjorn Rektorli, President, NACC Chicago

View recording here

Norwegian Fashion in New York
Where do we go from here?
How has the current pandemic changed the fashion landscape.

Welcome remarks by Consul General Harriet E. Berg

Moderator: 
Elise By Olsen, Editor in Chief, Wallet
Panelists:
Kris Goojha, Fashion Consultant, New York
Alexander S. Adams, CO-Founder and Managing Director, Varsity Headwear 
Ditte Kristensen, Co-Founder, Oslo Runway
Charlotte Fische, Founder and Creative Director,  Moiré

View Recording here

Norwegian Health-Tech Innovation in the Face of a Pandemic
How have innovative Norwegian companies assisted in the Covid-19 crisis in Norway, the United States, and throughout the world.
Panelists:
Kathrine Myhre, CEO, Norway Health Tech
Michael Eimstad, VP Sales and Marketing, EpiGuard
Henry Vaage Iversen, COO, boost.ai
Kyrre Lekve, Managing Director, Simula Research Laboratories 
Moderator: 
Ryan Marth, Partner, Robins Kaplan LLP

View Recording here
Maintaining Maritime Business Operations in Times of Crisis
The firm grip of the coronavirus pandemic on the global economy has been disruptive in the maritime sector. Continuing business in a safe and flexible manner and keeping close contact with partners and customers are key to ensuring the viability of the whole industry.
Panelists:
Allan Krogsgaard, Principal Surveyor and Business Development Director, DNV GL
Laura Sherman, Director, Marketing & Communications Operations Technology Officer, IRI/The Marshall Islands Registry
Boriana Farrar, Vice President-Counsel Senior Claims Executive, Business Development Director, Americas Shipowners Claims Bureau, Inc.
James Knutson, HSQE Manager & DPA, Sealift Inc.

View recording here 
 
Managing Transatlantic Business in Uncertain Times
How to navigate challenges relating to COVID-19 shutdowns and manage responsible reopening on both sides of the Atlantic.

Opening remarks:
Ambassador Kaare Aas.

Panelists:
Eirik Tord Jensen, Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace USA
Ryan Marth, Robins Kaplan
Kaare Risung, Advokatfirmaet Schjød
Moderator:
Idar Voldnes, Intrapoint


View recording here

Image by Chloe Friberg, NACC Mid-Atlantic
IMMEDIATE IMPACT OF COVID-19
for Norwegian Businesses in the US
What is the immediate impact on business and revenue.
What are the long-term predictions.
Are there any silver linings?
New opportunities and markets?

Panelists:
Hege Barnes, Director, Innovation Norway, New York.
Max Knagge, General Manager, Scandinavian Airlines, SAS - Americas.
Thomas Walle, CEO & Co-Founder, Unacast.
Moderator:
Svenn Richard Andersen, Business and Communications Adviser, Norwegian Consulate General in New York

View recording here

Image by Chloe Friberg, NACC Mid-Atlantic
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DISCLAIMER The above news bulletin contains excerpts from sources noted in the attribution link at the end of each excerpt. The Norwegian American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. has not verified the accuracy of such content and disclaims any and all liability (including attorneys' fees) arising as a result of such excerpts.       
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