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April 27 News
The Norwegian American Chamber of Commerce
NEWS AND EVENTS
FOR THE NORWEGIAN-AMERICAN BUSINESS COMMUNITY
 
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NEWS
Norhybrid brings power to the people; Smart wind turbines for renewable energy
 

In a twist on a political slogan, Carl Ivar Holmen, CEO of Norhybrid says they’re bringing “power to the people.” The latest Norwegian innovation in sustainability coming to the United States is the urban wind turbine, a compact, easy-to-assemble device installed on a roof that harnesses solar and wind power to create energy where it’s being consumed and is user-controlled. They can be placed in clusters to maximize availability. In February, Holmen and new Chief Commercial Officer Trond Sørensen visited Minneapolis and New York. “We’re part of a business incubator in Norway and they have a relationship with BARN (Business Accelerator Resource Network at Norway House in Minneapolis),” said Holmen via Zoom from Norway House. “Minnesota is one of the key markets for our technology. Wind conditions and their policies supporting renewables are good. We wanted to see if BARN could be helpful with networking. So far, we’ve been very pleased.” The conditions are ripe for Norhybrid since President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act calls for an emphasis on sustainability and renewable energy. “We have escalated our plan to enter the U.S. market a lot due to that, which has yielded a lot of interest and additional money for investments in this industry,” said Sørensen. “We are using the coming months to plan and prepare for the introduction and then expect to hit the ground running in the first quarter of next year.” Read full story: The Norwegian American

DNV joins Standards working group on methanol bunkering as interest in low-carbon fuels for shipping surges
DNV has joined a working group on methanol bunkering, managed by the Standards Development Organization at Singapore Chemical Industry Council (SCIC-SDO), the classification society announced at Singapore Maritime Week. The multi-stakeholder working group will develop a Technical Reference (TR) for methanol bunkering for Singapore, the world’s largest bunkering hub. The SCIC, appointed as the Standards Development Organization by Enterprise Singapore, formed the “Working Group on Standard Development for Methanol Bunkering”, in consultation with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). The working group, which includes government agencies, bunker suppliers, bunker craft operators, engine manufacturers, testing and certification bodies, shipowners and operators, terminal operators, as well as classification societies such as DNV, will be developing a Technical Reference (TR) for methanol bunkering for Singapore. The TR will cover custody transfer requirements (quantity and quality) for the delivery of methanol as a bunker fuel. It will examine all aspects of bunkering, from the bunker tanker to the receiving vessels, examining the operational and safety requirements for methanol bunkering, as well as crew training and competency. Read full story: Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide

Kongsberg Digital relaunches Vessel Performance
Kongsberg Digital is relaunching its application for vessel and fleet optimization, Vessel Performance, for offshore vessel operations. The new version of Vessel Performance provides enhanced onboard decision support through an improved and more user-friendly interface. By optimizing running engines and reducing excess equipment usage, Vessel Performance assists the crew in reducing fuel consumption and maintenance costs. The Vessel Performance data is also shared in real-time with onshore personnel. The accessible data and analysis increase operational awareness for the users, making it easier to detect the cost saving opportunities, which is normally a time-consuming task in the offshore industry due to the complexity of the systems onboard. “Olympic Subsea has been using Vessel Performance since 2021,” says Runar Stave, CTO at Fosnavaag, Norway, headquartered Olympic Subsea. “With Vessel Performance, our crew onboard has been able to monitor and take immediate action in order to reduce running hours, fuel consumption, and emissions. This has led to best practices and significantly greater awareness by the crew for Smarter, Safer and Greener operations. With the new functionality, we will improve and optimize our operations even more in terms of cost, efficiency, and sustainability. “ Read full story: Kongsberg Digital relaunches Vessel Performance - Marine Log

Norway’s Long-Term Energy Dilemma
The helicopter carrying the heads of Nato and the European Commission flew in thick cloud off the Norwegian coast, right until it reached the Troll gas platform when the sky brightened up almost miraculously. Troll, Norway’s largest gasfield, has certainly proved its worth to Europe in recent months, providing about 10 per cent of the gas needs of the continent, including the UK. Ursula von der Leyen, president of the commission, and Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg came as much to thank Norway for increasing the flow of gas to get through a difficult winter as send a message to Russia not to try to sabotage any North Sea infrastructure. The hosts on the platform — Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre, and Equinor chief executive Anders Opedal — were all smiles as they took their two guests 300 metres below sea level to the bottom of one of the platform shafts. But behind the bonhomie, there are also big differences in emphasis on what the energy future might look like. Since the start of the Ukraine war, Norway has displaced Russia as Europe’s biggest source of gas. Along with its main oil and gas group, state-controlled Equinor, Norway has argued increasingly that it is the democratic supplier of choice to the continent. Read full story: ft.com

Norway's wealth fund posts $84 billion quarterly profit
Norway's $1.4 trillion sovereign wealth fund, one of the world's largest investors, on Friday posted a 5.9% return on investment for the first quarter boosted by rising equity markets. "It's actually one of the strongest quarters we ever had," Deputy CEO Trond Grande said in a video posted on LinkedIn. Despite market turmoil in March amid concerns of a new banking crisis, equity markets provided the biggest boost for the fund, with a nearly 8% gain, he said. Meanwhile, falling interest rates benefited its bond portfolio, which returned almost 3%. "The rise of the equity market was to a great extent driven by the technology and consumer discretionary sector," Grande said in a statement. The profit of 893 billion Norwegian crowns ($83.89 billion) contrasted with a loss of 653 billion a year earlier. Read full story: Reuters

Rare Viking Age Iron Bars Discovered in Valdres

Iron bars likely used as a means of payment have been discovered in Norway, in what archaeologists say is a very rare and exciting find. Here’s what we know so far. Grete Margot Sørum found nearly 1000-year-old iron bars while cleaning her parents' house. It's been a century since a similar discovery in the country. The iron bars were found near the historic King's Road in Aurdal, Valdres. According to the NRK article, her father found the bars in the 1980s while digging a well but stored them away. Sørum took the bars to Valdres Folk Museum. They were then sent to the Innlandet county archaeologist. The 32 small bars, each weighing about 50 grams, were likely used as a means of payment in the Iron Age and Middle Ages. They are all cast in the same shape and a hole in each bar suggests they were tied together in a bundle. This is likely to make it easy for people to carry them with them, and exchange them for goods from other places in the country. Read full story: Life in Norway

An Introduction to Norwegian Waffles
Norwegian waffles are a must-have snack when visiting Norway. Here’s everything you need to know about this traditional treat. If you ever visited Norway, you almost certainly came across Norwegian waffles at some point during your travels. This seemingly ever-present treat is simple to make and can be enjoyed with a variety of toppings. So whether or not you have tasted Norwegian waffles before, grab your apron and join us as we explore the world of Norwegian waffles, or “vafler” as we say in Norway. Read full story: An Introduction to Norwegian Waffles - Life in Norway (recipe for Norwegian Waffles in the article).

PLAN YOUR TRIP TO NORWAY
5 Things To Know About Whale Watching In Norway

Anticipation builds as you sail out with a small group into the freezing waters of Arctic Norway. The chilled winds take their toll. Just as you are about to lose hope, you hear a gasp from one of your group. One of the ocean’s gentle giants leaps out of the water, the tail arching and splashing down. For the next few minutes, a pair of whales leap through the water as if showing off just for you. It’s a humbling reminder of the vast world of life that lies beneath our oceans. The hope for such an experience brings thousands of nature tourists to remote Northern Norway every year. But just as a northern lights display can’t be guaranteed, whales don’t always perform on demand. By knowing just a little about whale watching in Norway, you can drastically improve your chances. Sperm whales of up to 20 meters in length can be spotted off the coast of Vesterålen all year round. Orcas, fin and minke whales are attracted to Northern Norway from October to January by migrating herring, although exact locations vary.  Humpbacks can also be seen during this time and later in the year especially around the Lofoten and Vesterålen islands. From the end of May to September, orcas and porpoises are often seen off the coast of Lofoten. While less commonly sighted, the blue whale can sometimes be seen around Svalbard. Read full story: forbes.com

7 Things To Do In Ålesund
One of Norway's most distinctive looking towns, Ålesund is packed with fascinating architecture and history in a truly spectacular natural setting. Art nouveau touches and a delightful pastel palette grace many of the downtown buildings, while the Sunnmøre Alps provide a dramatic backdrop to this town surrounded by water. There’s enough to do in and around the town to keep you busy for a few days, so Ålesund is a must-do stop or even a base for any road trip along Norway’s west coast. With direct flights from Amsterdam and Copenhagen as well as Oslo, Ålesund is also a great choice for a long weekend break from much of Europe. There’s no better way to get your bearings in this compact town than with a walk to take in the fabulous architecture and waterfront views. Make sure to explore both sides of the main waterway that splits the downtown area in two. Sadly, the art nouveau look of downtown Ålesund was a result of tragedy. After a fire left much of the former wooden town in ashes, it was rebuilt with German money in the style favored at the time. The result is an urban landscape that’s unique in Norway. Include Apotekergata, St. Olavs plass and Kongens gate on your walk to get a good appreciation for the variety of architecture in the town. Read full story: forbes.com

5 Things To Expect On The Hurtigruten Coastal Cruise Of Norway
Cruising along the coastline of Norway for 12 days, the Hurtigruten calls at small communities every few hours, day and night. For some, the Norwegian coastal voyage is a dream come true, a chance to take in Norway’s spectacular scenery in the most relaxed way possible. But it’s not for everyone, especially those used to action-packed modern cruises. 
The eight ships in the Hurtigruten fleet servicing the coastal route do vary in size and facilities, but the core concept is the same. While competitor Havila now operates a handful of new ships on the route, Hurtigruten still operates departures on most days. Here’s what to expect when taking a trip on one of the Hurtigruten coastal voyage ships. If you’re used to Broadway shows, live music, water slides, and constant fun and games on a cruise, you’ll need to adjust your expectations. The landscape is the star attraction on a Hurtigruten Norway trip.Unlike larger cruise ships which often sail far from land, Hurtigruten vessels often take the inside passage along the Norwegian coastline, weaving in between islands to provide an unbeatable scenic sail. Read full story: forbes.com


Quality Hotel Ålesund: Ideal Choice for Norway’s Coastal Ferry
A review of the Quality Hotel Ålesund, a waterfront hotel next to the Hurtigruten terminal in downtown Ålesund. I recently spent three nights in Ålesund over the Easter break. It’s long been one of my favourite cities to visit in Norway and I’ve stayed in several different accommodations over the years. This time, I was arriving on the Hurtigruten’s MS Nordnorge at half past midnight, so I wanted to book into a hotel as close as possible to the coastal ferry port. A quick look at the map and the choice was easy. Ålesund is not big, but after 15 hours on the Hurtigruten I knew I didn’t fancy even a short walk across the city! The waterfront location of the Quality Hotel Ålesund was perfect. It is one of two Quality Hotels in Ålesund. The other one—Quality Hotel Waterfront—is on the other side of the city. It’s a very confusing choice of names for the two hotels given that they are both on a waterfront. So, just make sure you know which one you’re booking. Read full review: Life in Norway

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

HISTORY LESSON
Erik the Red: The Norse Explorer who Settled Greenland: Life in Norway
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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