Uncertain times demand collaboration. Representing leading stakeholders from the green maritime value chain, Maritime CleanTech’s board discusses the opportunities and challenges for the green transition of our industry.
Maritime CleanTech’s annual meeting recently appointed 12 leading executives to the board, the Chair of the board, Bjørn Sundland, welcomes the strategic discussions for moving forward with green maritime innovation:
— We are now seeing rising prices for raw materials, globally limited transport capacity, and rising energy prices. Especially here in Europe, we have seriously noticed how dependent we are on stable natural gas deliveries. I am confident that the best defense against uncertain times is to stand together and cooperate. Maritime CleanTech is experiencing growth in the cluster partnership and proves that the cluster model is vital for dealing with the energy transition in shipping, Sundland says.
Sundland, representing Equinor in his daily job, has been part of the Maritime CleanTech board since 2018. Ingrid Guddal, plant manager at Hydro Karmøy, is the new deputy chair:
— Renewable energy and the low carbon materials needed for realizing the zero-emission concepts are our most competitive advantage. This cluster cooperation is an important driver in making the green shift occur in the maritime industry. I’m happy to be elected as the deputy chair of this forward-thinking cluster, Guddal says.
Heidi Wolden, CEO of Norled, one of the largest ferry and express boat companies in Norway, is a new addition to the board. Wolden has also taken up the position of the leader of the political expert group in the cluster.
— A close dialogue with Norwegian and international political stakeholders is crucial to generating new green fuel infrastructure investments. Through the cluster cooperation in Maritime CleanTech, we can work together to create green jobs and opportunities for our industry, while at the same time reducing emissions related to maritime transportation, Wolden says.
— Maritime CleanTech’s partners represent a strong industry push for achieving a green maritime transition. This is taking our collaboration to new heights. I’m glad the board expresses their clear expectations for Maritime CleanTech to take a central role in the decarbonization of shipping. Our cluster collaboration is growing, and we’re eager to strengthen our work with the challenges involved – through innovation projects, scale-up mechanisms, and political dialogue, says CEO of Maritime CleanTech, Hege Økland.
The Board of Maritime CleanTech 2022-2023:
Bjørn Sundland (Equinor) – Chair of the board
Ingrid Guddal (Hydro) – Deputy chair
Hans Petter Nesse (Wärtsilä)
Erik Hjortland (Odfjell)
Aina Berg (NORCE)
Heidi Wolden (Norled)
Tor Inge Dale (Solstad)
Helge Gjøsæter (Leirvik)
Vermund Hjelland (Servogear)
Geir Bjørkeli (Corvus Energy)
Deputy board members:
Marie T. Vestbøstad (Aker Solutions)
Charlotte G. Krafft (Energiomstilling Vest)
The Board is elected by the Annual Meeting.