Highlights from the Maritime Hydrogen Conference
A few weeks ago, the Maritime Hydrogen Conference took place in Florø, attracting 125 active participants from the hydrogen and ammonia value chain. The conference centered on networking, providing participants with many opportunities for mingling and engaging in discussions throughout the event.
From vision to reality
The theme for this year's conference was "From Vision to Reality” and we heard from many players who have taken significant steps forward. Norwegian Hydrogen has started hydrogen production, Future Proof Shipping is operating a hydrogen vessel with Nike as a client, Exmar has ordered two ammonia ships, and eCap Marine has contributed to converting an OSV in the Netherlands for hydrogen operation.
The hydrogen landscape can be challenging, and we focused on highlighting the progress made as well as the motivation to move forward. Jens Berge from Norwegian Hydrogen opened the conference emphasizing the importance of handling change and seizing the opportunities available, even if they didn’t align with your original plans. This, along with the reminder that this is a marathon and not a sprint, is something that resonates after the conference.
Hydrogen Valley
The hydrogen and ammonia value chains are diverse and to make sure there was something for everyone we reduced the time allocated for the plenary session and offered more options. One of these was our new concept, "Hydrogen Valley," featuring various stations. To highlight a few examples: In Support Scheme Avenue, you could discuss project funding, at Policy Station you connected with legal experts from Thommessen, and at Hydrogen Valley High, you learned how to effectively pitch your project. We also had a Tech lane, the only station with technology providers. For one hour, participants had the opportunity to "go shopping in the valley," and based on the positive feedback received, we plan to further develop this concept in the coming years!
Breakout session shaping our future activities
The conference featured three breakout sessions, including one titled "What Now? Shaping our response" where participants collaboratively developed an action plan to engage with government authorities ahead of the next elections. This session, led by Martin Hennum, fostered high engagement among diverse stakeholders. Moving forward, we will use this plan to guide our activities for the upcoming year.
Additionally, another session focused on the potential of oxygen as a byproduct, leading to fruitful dialogue on both technical and commercial aspects. It was evident that many questions remain, and this fall we will begin forming a working group to further explore this topic. Please reach out to maria@oceanhywaycluster.no if this is relevant for you!
Social success!
With networking as a key focus of this conference, the evening program played a crucial role. Participants had the chance to enjoy a beer tasting with Kinn Bryggeri, a local brewery renowned for its high-quality craft beer. Later that day, we set sail for open waters, heading to Kalvåg for a fantastic three course meal at the restaurant Knutholmen. This is a highlight every year and I can guarantee our return!
10 year anniversary coming up!
Reflecting on this year's successful event, we already look forward to next year, which will mark the 10th anniversary of this conference! Stay tuned!
