Despite the fact that African economies are becoming more connected to the world economy than ever before, many international companies have not discovered the great business opportunities on offer in Africa.

With this in mind, Nor-Shipping, one of the world's leading maritime events, will put Africa on the agenda at the 2017 event.

"We are delighted to present the first Africa week to our delegates next year," said Birgit Liodden, Nor-Shipping director. "The goal is to create a high-quality platform for leading European and African maritime industry players to investigate business opportunities on the continent that represents the second biggest growth market in the world."

The program for 2017 has been dubbed Africa@Nor-Shipping 2017, and will represent the very first time that Nor-Shipping has featured a platform promoting mutually beneficial business opportunities between Africa and Europe in the maritime and ocean industries.

A dedicated conference, Africa Pavilion, and a social program with unique networking opportunities are all part of the Africa focus during Nor-Shipping week 2017.

A wide range of topical issues will be covered that not only represent key challenges and opportunities, but also highlight opportunities for improving sustainable business practices in the maritime and ocean industries on both continents.

North and South meet at the sea

Norway is host to a world-leading maritime and ocean industry cluster featuring cutting edge innovation, technology, competence and commercial solutions, and is a spearhead in implementing greener and more sustainable business practices in the global ocean and maritime industries. Africa@Nor-Shipping 2017 will provide a platform for exploring new opportunities and partnerships between Africa, Norway and the Nordics in the maritime industries, matching Norway's ocean industries expertise with the enormous growth potential and forward leaning business climate of sub-Saharan Africa.

The basis for the 2017 African participation is an agreement between Nor-Shipping and two influential organisations, the Norwegian-African Business Association (NABA) and AO Energy Consulting (AOEC).

Under the agreement, NABA and AOEC will partner with Norway Trade Fairs/Nor-Shipping in order to: "support and facilitate more business activity and improved business relations between the maritime and ocean industries in the Nordic countries and the African region, leading up to and during Nor-Shipping 2017."

NABA and AOEC will also be pavilion co-organisers for the African Pavilion during Nor-Shipping 2017. Companies from Africa's maritime sector are invited to contact NABA and AOEC to discuss taking part in the Africa Pavilion.

About, About, About

Nor-Shipping is Europe's leading maritime event week, held this year in Oslo between 30 May and 2 June 2017. Its top-quality exhibition, high-level conferences and prime networking opportunities attract the international maritime industry to Oslo every other year. For more than 50 years and with visitors from around 80 countries, Nor-Shipping has provided a platform for the maritime world to explore the future.

The Norwegian-African Business Association (NABA) seeks to promote business opportunities on the African continent and to serve as a bridge between Norwegian and African business communities. NABA aims to increase more efficient and less risky trade between Norway and Africa. As a member of the European Business Council for Africa and the Mediterranean (EBCAM), NABA is linked to more than 4000 European companies present on the African continent.

AO Energy Consulting (AOEC) provides business development and strategy advice and support services to the electric power and oil and gas industries, with a strong focus on value creation and the optimal use of organisational resources. It is also involved in projects to develop infrastructure assets in West Africa's electric power sector. AOEC is a member of NABA.

With the beautiful Cape Town being one of the most important ports on the trade-routes of Africa, this event is of particular interest to ship suppliers, Cape Town-based, such as Link Ship Chandlers, in fact, all South African ports along its coast line.