Program

The program for the 2026 Port Conference explores how geopolitics, technology, energy transition and changing trade patterns affect transport, logistics and value chains.

August 19

17:00 - 19:00

Port Manager Forum

PwC has created a meeting place that is targeted at the port director/leadership group in Norwegian ports. We welcome you to an informal port gathering the day before the Port Conference.

Location: Caledonian Hotel

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19:30

Get-Together

This year's Get-Together will take place like last year, the day before on the top floor of Kunstsilo, a stone's throw away from Caledonien.

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August 20 - Port Conference

08:30

Registration/lunch

09:30

Opening

Arne Thomassen / County Mayor Agder County Municipality and Mathias Bernander / Mayor Kristiansand Municipality

What about: the value chain's need for a robust infrastructure 

Knut Arild Hareide / Managing Director / Norwegian Shipowners' Association

Item owners

From producer to consumer – a product owner's perspective on robust logistics

Anders Hustoft / Transport Director / Rema 1000

Port authority and operator

How is cooperation on development between public and private actors possible?

Christian Løvaas / CEO / Westport and Geir Mosether / Port Manager / Moss Port

Shipping company

Norwegian Shipowners' Association - Title to be announced later 

Knut Arild Hareide / Managing Director / Norwegian Shipowners' Association

AP MØLLER – MAERSK - Title to be announced later 

Paul Lorck-Olafsen / Head of Sales Norway / AP MØLLER – MAERSK

Infrastructure

From shore power to power emergency - a new chapter for ports

Camilla Neumann-Berg / BDM - Head of Southern Europe / Plug

Ports of the future: Digitization and automation hand in hand

Marianne Hagaseth / Senior Researcher / SINTEF Ocean AS / Energy and Transport

Lunch

Port development

Green transition in practice – how do we accelerate emission cuts and what is the role of ports?

Ingvild Kilen Rørholt / Head of Transport and Maritime / Zero

Concept: Railway, sea and 4 markets

Christer Nederstedt / Marketing and Sales Manager / Port of Umeå

Supply readiness and security - from strategy to inaction

Vidar Karlsen 

Break/coffee

Global Outlook - Hybrid war

Photo: Ole Andreas Vekve / Armed Forces

When economics becomes geopolitics – the battle for value chains, technology and power

Eirik Melle / Senior Analyst / Danske Bank Norway

How Europe's ports see competitiveness as a driver of resilience

Isabelle Ryckbost / Secretary General / ESPO

Ports on the front line – preparedness in a new geopolitical reality

Brigadier Morten Lie Andersen / Deputy Commander/Chief of Staff / Armed Forces Logistics Organization (FLO)

Summary and conclusion

Harbour Lounge at Moi

The harbor lounge Hos Moi at Fiskebrygga is the natural meeting place after the conference. A place to make contacts, share experiences and continue the dialogue in a relaxed atmosphere.

Conference dinner

The conference dinner is one of the highlights of the Port Conference. After an eventful day, participants gather for a pleasant evening of good food, good conversations and valuable meetings. The dinner provides a unique opportunity to strengthen relationships, expand networks and continue the dialogue in an informal and social setting.

Entrance at Pier 10 - Cruise Pier.
Doors open at 6:45 PM.

Access is through the ISPS area, and we ask everyone to follow the marked route and signage to the venue.