Nor-shipping 2025
From 6-9 June, the World Maritime University will be at Nor-Shipping, the platform for sustainable ocean development, helping leading maritime players plot profitable courses into the future.
Ocean Campus
2-6 June 2025
Hall D stand D2-55a
WMU is pleased to be the lead partner for Nor-Shipping's Ocean Campus initiative to strengthen and support the pipeline of new talent entering the world of maritime and ocean business. Colleagues from WMU will be available at our booth, Hall D stand D2-55a, the entire week.
WMU/U Arctic Side Event
13:30 - 15:00, 4 June
Hall D - Ocean Campus
https://nor-shipping.com/programme-2025#event/6029
WMU will co-host a 90 minute side event with UArctic. Registration is not required, but space is limited, and first come, first served.
A 45-minute presentation by WMU will include delivery of two keynote addresses. WMU Professor Claudio Aporta, Canadian Chair, Marine Environmental Protection; Head, Ocean Sustainability, Governance and Management will speak on the topic of Arctic shipping and Indigenous coastal communities. Professor Dimitrios Dalaklis, Safety and Security; University of the Arctic (UArctic) Chair in Search and Rescue (SAR), will speak on the topic of Educated Guesses about Regulatory Interventions Needed in the Arctic. The WMU portion of the side event will be moderated by Professor Aykut Ölcer, Director of Maritime Research and Head of the Maritime Energy Management Specialization and will include a question and answer session.
Educated Guesses about Regulatory Interventions Needed in the Arctic
By Professor Dimitrios Dalaklis
Historically, the High North region has been approached as a hostile and inhospitable environment, rather unsuitable for economic activities, because of a self-explanatory reason: dire, year-long freezing conditions which, at a minimum, severely hindered or even completely blocked the necessary access (and transport connections). However, in recent years, the continuous warming of the Arctic atmosphere and ocean are driving broad environmental changes; the “new” Arctic physical environment is associated with diminishing sea-ice coverage, declining snow cover, and melting ice sheets. All these are heavily influencing living conditions and business activities in the wider region and at the same time create a pressing need for regulatory interventions that will support a safe and prosperous future for the Arctic. This rapid pace of change in the Arctic requires the quick adaptation of regulatory frameworks, further infrastructure development, and effective implementation of innovative environmental protection strategies.
As certain indicators are clearly pointing out that human presence and economic pursuits will expand in the wider region, particularly in resource extraction, fishing and maritime transport, there exists a critical need (but, at the same time, a unique opportunity) to refine and implement regulations that address emerging challenges in environmental protection, safety, and resource management. The World Maritime University (WMU), as the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) premier centre of excellence for maritime postgraduate education, research, and capacity development is heavily researching and focused upon Arctic developments and related policy interventions. It is also working along with various other stakeholders within the UArctic framework to develop knowledge and influence the development of policies suitable to address the numerous challenges of the Arctic region. Cooperation and engagement with all stakeholders are the necessary foundation for ensuring a prosperous and sustainable future for the High North.
Arctic shipping and Indigenous coastal communities
By Professor Claudio Aporta
As sea ice recedes in Arctic waters, shipping activity is steadily increasing. Extended navigation seasons, the opening of previously impassable routes, and easier access to renewable and non-renewable resources have created new economic and geopolitical realities in the region. At the same time, in the North American Arctic, geographically dispersed small Indigenous communities—primarily Inuit—who have inhabited coastal and marine areas for millennia and have already been severely affected by climate change, are expressing growing concern about the impacts of increased shipping on their environments and ways of life.
This presentation offers a brief overview of Inuit engagement in contemporary Arctic shipping, with particular reference to Canada’s Low Impact Shipping Corridors Initiative and the role of the Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) at the International Maritime Organization (IMO). It also introduces a new project at the World Maritime University (WMU) that explores the historical role of Inuit communities in shaping and supporting shipping practices in the Canadian Arctic.
Blue Talk
14.25-15.10, 5 June
Hall E, Blue Talk Stage
https://nor-shipping.com/be_bt_committee#event/5760
Professor Aykut Ölcer, Director of Maritime Research and Head of the Maritime Energy Management Specialization, will represent WMU at the Blue Talk 13 - Running out of people. Modern ships with the latest compliance requirements will need the right kind of crews. Crew recruitment, education, training and welfare are no longer the soft debates, but critical discussions about the future of the industry. The aim of this Blue Talk is to bring together thought leaders to discuss a way forward that is equitable and fair, given where most crews are sourced from.
While the skills shortage in the industry is not a new issue, it has become an increasingly pressing one in recent years. In 2023, the Global Maritime Trends 2050 report described two possible scenarios to tackle this shortage by having Africa’s young and talented demographic play a pivotal role and increasing the number of women seafarers to 25 percent of the total workforce in shipping. Professor Ölcer will highlight the Deep Dives project results, a new report published by Lloyd's Register Foundation, and based on research conducted by WMU. Deep dive on seafarer sustainability: Supporting the opportunity for Africa and women to create a sustainable supply of seafarers for the future, highlights that investment in Africa and support for more women to play a significant part in maritime roles provides a viable option in a sustainable future for seafarers. Key recommendations include increasing women’s participation, modernizing training curricula, strengthening policy and regulation, enhancing industry collaboration, and leveraging Africa’s talent pool.