Leading maritime event week Nor-Shipping has unveiled its first keynote speaker, with thought leader, author and clean energy expert Tony Seba topping the bill. Seba will be joined in the coming weeks by a series of well-known shipowners, as Nor-Shipping compiles a programme of speakers and events to represent, challenge and engage the industry. Seba is a globally respected speaker, writer, entrepreneur and educator, mixing teaching duties at Stanford University with advisory roles, media appearances and authoring several books. His titles include the provocative Clean Disruption of Energy and Transportation – How Silicon Valley Will Make Oil, Nuclear, Natural Gas, Coal, Electric Utilities and Conventional Cars Obsolete by 2030. Nor-Shipping Director Birgit Liodden says Seba will inject disruptive innovation concepts from outside the shipping environment, helping the industry consider current and future challenges in a new light. She notes: “Tony Seba is an inspirational thinker and speaker, capable of tackling some of our industry’s, and the world’s, most pressing issues with ideas and insights that audiences can appreciate, remember and act upon. His understanding of digital technology and clean energy solutions is beyond cutting edge – assuring that he can deliver real value to an industry eager to plot a sustainable pathway into the future. “The theme of Nor-Shipping 2017 is Catalyst for Change, and that’s exactly what Tony Seba is. His work has the power to help shift the global conversation when it comes to the future of transport, energy and climate issues. He adds something unique to our diverse programme of events, and we’re delighted to have him on-board.” Alongside Seba, a number of yet to be announced shipping figures will bring insights from a broad spectrum of industry segments, spanning ownership, operation, ships services and logistics. Presentations will be far-reaching in scope, tackling issues such as balancing the drive for enhanced performance with greater efficiency, meeting tomorrow’s challenges through innovation today, and why quality matters, whatever the market conditions. “The global industry faces challenges on many fronts,” comments Liodden. “It’s our job to represent and support that industry, so we’re keen to address concerns and deliver valuable insights that can help. By signing up maritime leaders to share their wisdom, we can give our delegates something they can’t get anywhere else – the benefit of remarkable individual experience and expertise. “We aim to have something for everyone – ensuring a range of audience takeaways that, like our speakers themselves, can make real waves in the industry.” Nor-Shipping, which is held every two years, attracts around 35,000 visitors to Oslo and Lillestrøm, with almost 1,000 of the world’s leading maritime companies showcasing products and services to the industry, future talent and stakeholders through the shipping value chain. The Catalyst for Change theme of next year’s event is supported by a broad range of activity, including Problem to Profit, where shipping’s next generation seek to find solutions to this generation’s challenges, and Hall A’s focus on Disruptive Sustainability.