In connection with the 50th anniversary, Norwegian Trade Fairs, the non-profit foundation that owns and operates Nor-Shipping, is donating a rescue vessel to the Norwegian Society of Sea Rescue (NSSR), showing its commitment to contributing to safeguarding the Norwegian coastline.
To be named Nor-Shipping, it will be NSSR’s second rescue vessel of a brand new speedboat class, developed by Norwegian design firm Eker Design. A volunteer crew of three from the sea rescue corps will man the vessel.
“Through Nor-Shipping, the Norwegian maritime industry has been of great importance to Norwegian Trade Fairs for many years,” says Siv Lunde Kolrud, CEO of Norwegian Trade Fairs. “On the occasion of Nor-Shipping’s 50th anniversary, we wanted to give something back to the industry. It was important for us to give a gift that could make a difference in the long term.”
Better preparedness
The new vessel will be an addition to NSSR’s fleet and will contribute to better preparedness along the Norwegian coastline. To be delivered in the first half of 2017, it will be stationed at a location where it will be needed the most, based on the emergency situation at hand.
“Through this donation to NSSR, we give a gift that addresses one of the industry's key challenges – safety at sea,” says Birgit Liodden, the newly appointed Nor-Shipping Director. “This is our 50th anniversary present to maritime safety, the maritime environment and those living and working along the coastline.”
NSSR hopes more organizations will follow Norwegian Trade Fairs’ example. The plan is to build an additional 10 rescue vessels of this type in the next three to four years, as well as three large seagoing rescue vessels.
“NSSR is extremely grateful for this significant gift,” says Nicolai Jarlsby, NSSR President. “It is wonderful that by doing this, Norwegian Trade Fairs and Nor-Shipping take such an important social responsibility. We at NSSR hope that this donation will inspire many of the Norwegian and international companies that gather at Nor-Shipping.”
“NSSR saves lives and secures the coast,” says Rikke Lind, NSSR General Secretary. “This gift will help us in our work. Ten new such rescue vessels would make it possible for us to respond faster and help many more.”
Rescue vessel Nor-Shipping will be delivered in the spring of 2017, with the naming ceremony due to take place during Nor-Shipping 2017.