Nor Shipping - Experts & Thought Leaders

With Nor-Shipping 2025 just around the corner, Euronext Oslo Børs CEO - Øivind Amundsen shares why Oslo remains the exchange of choice for global shipping companies – thanks to its fast, flexible listings, maritime-savvy investors and a regulatory environment built for efficient capital-raising. When it comes to shipping finance, there’s one stock exchange that continues to punch above its weight – and it’s not in London or New York. “Shipping is part of the Norwegian DNA,” says Øivind Amundsen, adding “That gives us a structural advantage others simply can’t replicate.” Deep financial expertise Oslo has quietly become the world’s pioneer venue for shipping listings by number of companies, with maritime firms accounting for 10% of total market capitalisation. From Okeanis Eco Tankers to Himalaya Shipping, a steady stream of international companies have also chosen to list – and raise capital – on the Norwegian stock exchange. “Shipping is a volatile sector,” Øivind Amundsen acknowledges. “In many markets, investor interest disappears during a downcycle. But in Norway, investors stay engaged. They understand the sector’s rhythm and are prepared to invest through the cycles.” That long-term view is embedded in an ecosystem that brings together deep financial expertise, maritime heritage and institutional commitment. “You’ve got brokers, investment banks, analysts, auditors – all with specialist shipping knowledge,” he explains. “They know how to evaluate risk, and they’re not scared of volatility.” Strong shipping presence Euronext Oslo Børs boasts 313 listed companies and NOK 3.8 trillion in market value Euronext Oslo Børs boasts 313 listed companies and NOK 3.8 trillion in market value – equivalent to nearly 80% of Norway’s GDP. It forms part of the wider Euronext group, which connects over 1,800 listed companies and a €6.3 trillion aggregated market. Yet Oslo retains a distinct profile within that landscape, especially for maritime and energy firms. Its peer group is deep and diverse – from car carriers and bulkers to LNG, offshore and diversified fleets – and the OBX Index includes a strong shipping presence, with 12 of the 25 most-traded companies in shipping or energy. That visibility matters. “It’s not just about access to capital,” says Øivind Amundsen, adding “You’re also getting sector-specific analyst coverage, media attention and institutional engagement.” Maritime-savvy investors Oslo is especially well-positioned for smaller or mid-sized shipping companies. Its listing ecosystem enables a natural progression from Euronext Growth to Euronext Expand or directly  to the main market, Euronext Oslo Børs, providing flexibility and structure as companies scale. Examples like MPC Container Ships, Cool Company and 2020 Bulkers all illustrate the pathway – and reinforce Oslo’s reputation as a long-term partner for maritime companies, not just a launchpad. “These listings highlight Oslo’s appeal as a hub for accessing capital and maritime-savvy investors who value cyclical and niche strategies. The streamlined and fast listing process and the regulatory flexibility attract companies seeking to efficiently raise capital,” said Øivind Amundsen.  Efficient and reliable platform Still, some companies seek a broader reach via a dual listing on the NYSE Still, some companies seek a broader reach via a dual listing on the NYSE. That can be valuable, Amundsen adds – but it comes with trade-offs. “New York offers liquidity and visibility, but the regulatory burden and costs are higher. And shipping interest there tends to disappear quickly in a down market.” His advice? “For large companies, dual listing might make sense. But for most, Oslo remains the more efficient and reliable platform – especially in uncertain times.” Capital-intensive industry While the US has long been seen as more flexible in regulatory terms, recent EU reforms may be shifting the balance. The EU Listing Act, which came into force in December 2024, significantly reduces the burden on companies raising capital, particularly through secondary issues. “This is especially important for shipping,” explains Øivind Amundsen, adding “It’s a capital-intensive industry, and companies need to move fast. Being able to raise capital without months of paperwork is a real advantage.” The new Omnibus Regulation will also ease ESG reporting requirements for smaller companies, helping Oslo maintain its edge. “We’re seeing a welcome shift in Europe – away from over-regulation and towards practical competitiveness,” he says. “That’s good for shipping, and good for Oslo.” Sustainable finance options Oslo’s bond market is also playing a growing role in maritime finance Oslo’s bond market is also playing a growing role in maritime finance, with recent high-yield issuances from SFL Corporation, Ocean Yield and Diana Shipping reflecting strong investor appetite. Oslo is also innovating around access. Through its partnership with PrimaryBid, retail investors can now participate in private placements and accelerated offerings. “We’re democratising access to capital,” says Amundsen. “And we believe that will be increasingly important.” The exchange also offers a dedicated ESG bond list, positioning Oslo as a strategic partner for companies seeking sustainable finance options. Navigating capital shifts Amundsen is cautiously optimistic about the next five years. “After years of shocks – COVID, war, geopolitical upheaval, tariff flip-flops – what we need now is some stability,” he says. Still, Oslo is prepared. “We’ve built a resilient, globally connected exchange that supports shipping and energy companies through every phase of their journey. And we’re well placed to help them navigate capital shifts and decarbonisation efforts.” Today, 19 jurisdictions are represented among the companies listed on Oslo Børs. “That tells you something,” he says. “This is a global platform – and a trusted one.” Full-spectrum gathering It’s fitting that Oslo also plays host to Nor-Shipping – one of the most important meeting places for the maritime world. “Everyone in the industry is here,” says Amundsen. “Not just shipowners, but bankers, investors, technology providers, advisors – it’s a full-spectrum gathering.” This year, Euronext Oslo Børs is once again a partner of Nor-Shipping, hosting the opening bell ceremony for Nor-Shipping on Monday 2 June. While they won’t have a stand, the team will be present in full force – with Amundsen himself speaking at the Ocean Leadership conference on the future of maritime finance. “For us, it’s not about booths – it’s about conversations,” says Øivind Amundsen, adding “Nor-Shipping gives us the chance to connect with the industry, share insights and help shape what comes next.”

Nor-Shipping 2025, taking place in Oslo and Lillestrøm 2-6 June, has announced the shortlists for two of its most coveted accolades, the Next Generation Ship Award and the Ocean Solutions Award. Celebrating innovations, technologies and pioneering projects capable of balancing both environmental and commercial sustainability, the initiatives attracted a huge number of entries from across the world. Selecting the eventual winners was, according to Nor-Shipping Director Sidsel Norvik, “tougher than ever”. Pioneering projects Nor-Shipping’s Next Generation Ship Award champions trail-blazing projects that are either newbuildings under construction, conversions, retrofits, or recent deliveries. This year’s shortlisted entrants are: Windcat Workboats’ Elevation Series CSOVs: Hydrogen-powered, offshore service vessels developed in collaboration with Damen and CMB.TECH. Solvang Shipping’s Clipper Eris retrofit: Carbon capture and storage retrofit on a 21,000m3 ethylene carrier, reducing GHG emissions. NYK’s Sakigake conversion: The world’s first ammonia-fuelled tugboat, converted from LNG fuel to demonstrate low-carbon alternatives. Samskip’s SeaShuttle feeder vessels: Hydrogen fuel cell-powered zero-emission container ships for shortsea routes. Bibby Marine’s eCSOV hybrid vessels: Offshore wind support vessels designed for long-term zero-emission operations. From challenge to opportunity The Ocean Solutions Award, meanwhile, is open to Nor-Shipping participants with landmark innovations capable of helping the industry meet some of its most pressing challenges. As always, the competition was intense, with the expert jury eventually selecting the following shortlisted nominees: Wärtsilä Carbon Capture and Storage: A modular system designed for integration into existing propulsion setups, reducing CO₂ emissions. Zeabuz autonomous ship platform: Pioneering remote and autonomous vessel operations to address crew shortages and enhance safety. Wärtsilä ammonia solution: A full-scale deployment of ammonia as a marine fuel, showcasing safety and operational efficiency. ORCA AI situational awareness: An AI-driven platform enhancing navigational safety through real-time risk detection and data analysis. bound4blue’s eSail system: Innovative ‘suction sail’ wind propulsion solutions cutting fuel consumption, emissions and easing regulatory compliance for a wide range of vessel types. Fierce competition “What a year,” comments Nor-Shipping Director Norvik. “The competition was fiercer than ever, with some outstanding entrants, so getting this far in the awards should be a huge source of pride for all the shortlisted companies and teams." “The evolving nature of the competing fields every time we run these initiatives is a testament to both the progress within the industry and the continued commitment of key stakeholders to build a cleaner, smarter, and more resilient maritime future. We’re proud to support these innovations and can’t wait to see the winners enjoying the spotlight when the shipping world meets next month in Norway!” Winners of the Next Generation Ship Award The winners of the Next Generation Ship Award and Ocean Solution Award will be revealed in front of an audience of key industry decision makers at Nor-Shipping’s Ocean Leadership Conference on 3 June. This year’s Nor-Shipping programme, celebrating the 60th anniversary of the event week, focuses on the theme of #Future-Proof. More than 50,000 decision makers, and around 1,000 exhibiting companies, will attend the unique week-long event.

Nor-Shipping, in partnership with YoungShip, reveals the shortlist for this year’s Nor-Shipping Young Entrepreneur Award, with the drive to decarbonise, digitalise, and deliver greater inclusivity within the maritime industry taking centre stage. Set to be presented on 2 June at Nor-Shipping’s After Work ‘kick-off’ at Oslo’s famous Leketer’n venue, the prestigious accolade celebrates under-40s making waves with commercially viable solutions addressing key ocean industry challenges. Previous winners include Cristina Aleixendri, COO and Co-Founder of bound4blue, and Boyan Slat, CEO of The Ocean CleanUp. The final four The quartet selected by an expert industry panel, after intense competition and discussion, are: Joachim Bachmann Nielsen, CEO/CTO of Kvasir Technologies, a company transforming low-value biomass into scalable, carbon-neutral marine fuels; Fabian Fussek, Co-Founder & CEO of Kaiko Systems, an AI-powered platform helping shipping companies enhance safety, compliance and maintenance; Josephine Le, Founder of The Hood Platform, a digital hub breaking down barriers in maritime recruitment and supporting next generation talent; and Alisha Fredriksson, CEO and Co-Founder of Seabound, a climate tech innovator developing onboard carbon capture systems for hard-to-abate shipping emissions. United by ambition “These finalists are pursuing goals that chime perfectly with industry needs, and the #Future-Proof theme of Nor-Shipping 2025,” comments Sidsel Norvik, Director, Nor-Shipping, adding “They have the talent, ideas and ambition that can define future industry opportunity, shaping smarter, cleaner, and more inclusive operations and businesses.” He continues, “Each brings a different background, a fresh perspective, and innovative solutions to pressing industry challenges, but they’re united by a passion and determination to make a real impact. I wish them the very best of luck – both for the award and the years ahead.” A platform for the future Nor-Shipping Young Entrepreneur Award is delivered in collaboration with YoungShip The Nor-Shipping Young Entrepreneur Award is delivered in collaboration with YoungShip, the global non-profit network for young maritime professionals. Erlend Holberg of YoungShip praised the calibre of the 2025 field, commenting: "For this industry to be truly sustainable, commercially as well as environmentally, we have to open pathways for the next generation to access the networks, support and markets they need to succeed." Benefit from the ideas Erlend Holberg added: "That way all stakeholders, from businesses and society, can benefit from the ideas, enthusiasm and energy that – as we saw from the huge field of talent competing for this prize – is so abundant in our young professionals worldwide. I can’t wait to see who wins this coveted title at Nor-Shipping 2025." This year’s Nor-Shipping programme, celebrating the 60th anniversary of the event week, runs from 2–6 June in Lillestrøm and Oslo.