Faroe Islands: World’s fifth largest carrier Hapag-Lloyd installs Faroese tracking software on 100,000 containers

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July 4, 2019

NordenBladet – Hapag-Lloyd*, the world’s fifth largest carrier, will equip all its 100,000 reefer containers with new tracking technology. The new product, called Hapag-Lloyd Live, will provide information about the location, temperature and more of Hapag-Lloyd’s cargo. The tracking technology is produced by Faroese company Globe Tracker.

“We are honoured to have been chosen by Hapag Lloyd because of our innovative strength and ability to provide a world-class cold chain visibility solution,” says Jákup Lamhauge, CEO of Globe Tracker. “We are extremely impressed with the rigorous detail, focus, diligence and high quality of their selection process, and could not be more pleased with the result.”

Juan Carlos Duk, Managing Director Global Commercial Development at Hapag-Lloyd, says: “With our corporate ‘Strategy 2023’, we have set ourselves the goal of becoming number one for quality. Customers expect more reliable supply chains, so the industry needs to change and invest sufficiently. It is imperative that we understand and fulfil our customers’ needs faster than our competitors.”

Earlier this year, Globe Tracker started working with Dole on tracking its reefer cargo. The two companies said the technology could help improve the quality of the shipments.

Globe Tracker is a privately held company that specialises in supply chain tracking, monitoring and cutting-edge sensor technology, providing true end-to-end supply chain visibility. Globe Tracker has offices in Denmark, the United States, Iceland, the Faroe Islands and Canada. It employs 14 people, five of which are stationed in the Faroe Islands.

Last month, French shipping major, CMA CGM announced plans to add 50,000 trackers to its containers. MSC previously announced it was connecting 50,000 containers last October, and Maersk even has a virtual assistant that helps shippers track their cargo.

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* Hapag-Lloyd AG is a German international shipping and container transportation company. It is composed of a cargo container shipping line, Hapag-Lloyd AG. The container transport arm of Hapag-Lloyd AG is currently the world’s fifth largest container carrier in terms of vessel capacity.

The company was formed in 1970 by the merger of two German transportation/maritime companies, Hamburg America Line (HAPAG), which dated from 1847, and Norddeutscher Lloyd (NDL) or North German Lloyd (NGL), which was formed in 1856.

Since its formation, Hapag-Lloyd has been sold to many organizations and has also undergone numerous mergers with other companies. For instance, Hapag-Lloyd was completely acquired by, and became a subsidiary of TUI AG (Hanover) in 1998. This major event was followed by TUI selling a majority stake of Hapag-Lloyd to various private investors in Hamburg in 2009 and again in 2012. Other important events in the company’s history include Hapag-Lloyd’s acquisition of CP Ships in 2005 as well as Hapag-Lloyd’s merger with CSAV in 2014 and United Arab Shipping Company in 2017.

Currently, the companies shares are owned by several public and private investors, with the largest stake controlled by CSAV.

Hapag-Lloyd was formed in 1970 through a merger of Hamburg America Line (HAPAG) and North German Lloyd.

Faroe Islands: Two Faroese winners at Nordic Food Awards EMBLA

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Helena-Reet Ennet

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July 4, 2019

NordenBladet – Two Faroese culinary concepts won awards at this year’s Nordic Food Awards, called Embla*. Gimburlombini from Nólsoy and Grøna Oyggin from Sandoy took home the top gongs at the awards show in Reykjavik in early June. Six different Faroese food concepts were nominated.

Gimburlombini were honoured as ‘Nordic Food Destination 2019’. The innovative and creative café on the small island of Nólsoy uses locally-produced resources in their food-making and include local villagers in their projects, creating a complete tourist experience, such as when tourists are invited to go foraging with chefs.

Grøna Oyggin, translated as ‘green island’, is a collection of farms on the island of Sandoy. Trailblazers in experimenting with Faroese vegetables using a specialised cultivation method for harsh environments, the farms have brought a great deal to the Faroese food industry, providing it with access to organic, Faroese-produced vegetables and functioning as an important part of the development of Faroese gastronomy. Grøna Oyggin won ‘Nordic Food Producer 2019’.

There were seven categories in total, each highlighting the ingredients, artisanship, communications and people involved in the world of Nordic food. The Embla Food Awards were launched by the six Nordic agricultural organisations in 2017 as a way of spreading knowledge of Nordic food. Their aim is to boost Nordic food culture and generate greater interest in it outside the region. The awards are held bi-annually.

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* EMBLA, the Nordic Food Awards, creates visibility for Nordic food and the innovative people behind it, both in the Nordic countries and internationally. The purpose of EMBLA is to strengthen the knowledge of Nordic food. EMBLA Food Awards, is held every two years, last time in Reykjavík on June 1st, 2019.

Apply now! NORAM Scholarships for Americans to study in Norway

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Helena-Reet Ennet

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July 4, 2019

NordenBladet – The purpose of the scholarships is to provide financial support for Americans to study in Norway. By supporting post-graduate study or research in areas of mutual importance to Norway and the United States, we hope to bring the two countries closer. Through awarding scholarships to American students and researchers, we invest in the growth of knowledge and understanding and it will strengthen the ties of friendship between the two countries.

Every year, NORAM (The Norway-America Association, Rådhusgaten 23 B, NO-0158 Oslo) offers up to ten scholarships to American students, based on merit and need. The amounts vary from 10 000 kr – 40 000 kr. The size of the individual grants will depend on the research subject, purpose and the intended length of stay in Norway.

Information on studies in Norway, and on the Norwegian system of higher education, can be found here: Study in Norway.

The application deadline is April 1st 2020 for fall 2020-spring 2021. Applications will open in January 2020.

Terms of the awards
Applicant:
Must be American citizen, planning to study/or currently studying in Norway.

Education:
Scholarships are only for full-time graduate level studies, both exchange and whole degree in Norway. Online courses are not approved.
The project description must be of academic merit, and the project must be feasible within the framework proposed.
Students can apply without being accepted to an institution before the application deadline, but must submit documentation of admission/invitation if awarded a scholarship.
The project/academic field must be of mutual benefit to the two countries.

Scholarship period and length:
The scholarships are given within the academic year (August 1st – May 31st), and are awarded one year at a time. Keep in mind that one can only be awarded two times.
The program period has to be minimum three months.
Applicants who are awarded/have applied for funding from other sources for the same application period applied must notify NORAM about this.

Read How to apply for NORAM scholarship here

Featured image: Norway (Pexels/monicore)

Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway is publishing a book to help raise the profile of Norwegian arts

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Helena-Reet Ennet

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July 4, 2019

NordenBladet – Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway has made promoting literature one of her main causes and now she’s publishing a book to help raise the profile of Norwegian arts. The Crown Princess is behind a collection of writing that will hit the shelves in September.

Mette-Marit will co-edit a selection of twelve stories and essays which will be published just ahead of the famous Frankfurt Book Fair. This year, Norway is the main contributing country at the event which is billed as the ‘most important marketplace’ in the world for print and digital publishing.

The book, which has the working title of ‘The Home Country and Other Narratives’ will feature work by authors selected by Crown Princess Mette-Marit and her co-editor, Geir Gulliksen. Among those chosen by the pair are Vigdis Hjorth and Dag Solstad. The company publishing the book, Aschenoug, says that the editors have picked writers whose work they value highly and all the pieces in the tome will be new and previously unseen.

It’s understood that any money earned by Crown Princess Mette-Marit by the book will be donated to charity although which organisations will benefit hasn’t yet been confirmed.

The Crown Princess has long shown her support for literature and promoting reading. She has hosted a ‘literature train’ event through Norway for several years, travelling by rail to different destinations for a week to encourage others to pick up books and to discuss Norwegian writing. This year, she hosted her first ‘literature metro’ where she used the underground system in Oslo to promote reading across Norway’s capital.

Mette-Marit once said she couldn’t imagine life without books, adding ‘ever since I was a child, I have been read to and given the opportunity to enter a world of fantasy’ and she says that reading has made her ‘a better, wiser and more thoughtful person’.

It’s a message she wants to share on an international stage as she prepares to head to Frankfurt for the book fair. The Crown Princess has played a high profile part in the build up to Norway’s big moment at the event and she is expected to travel to Germany in October for the fair itself. In the meantime, her debut as a literary editor will make its way to the shops as another part of her ongoing campaign to boost reading and a love of books.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bjoqe0eDaho/

Danish Crown Prince Couple to take part in a business visit to France

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Helena-Reet Ennet

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July 4, 2019

NordenBladet – The Danish Royal Court announced on 1 July that Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary will lead a Danish business delegation during an official business visit to Paris, France on 7 and 8 October 2019. The theme of the visit is “Denmark and France – together for a better life and a sustainable future”.

The purpose of the visit is to strengthen relations between Denmark and France and support Danish companies’ growth and position in the French market. This is a continuation of the work that took place during the French State Visit to Denmark in August 2018. France is an important trading partner for Denmark, and in 2018 the country was the eighth largest export market for Danish goods and services.

According to the Danish Royal Court: “The aim of the business promotion is to create a platform for concrete future collaborations that will develop and adapt sustainable and innovative solutions to common challenges. The program includes, among other things, the holding of seminars on wind energy investments, urban development, the achievement of the World Goals (SDG), health and company visits to some of France’s largest companies, and to hospitals and infrastructure projects that match Danish competencies.”

The program of the visit has not been announced yet but it will focus on three sectors: healthcare with a focus on elder care, smart hospitals, and life science; Energy and Sustainable Cities with a focus on wind energy, district heating, and cooling and intelligent and sustainable Cities as well as sustainable lifestyles with a focus on fashion, design, and furniture.

The Court also announced that Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary will take part in the opening of a business conference, attend seminars and visit major French companies and hospitals. They will also host a reception for Danish and French companies and organizations among other guests. Prince Joachim and Princess Marie might take part in the reception as they will be living in Paris by then but this will not be confirmed by the Court until closer to the visit.

Featured image: Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary (Instagram/@detdanskekongehus)

OSCE Parliamentary Assembly focuses on human rights and promoting of security

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Helena-Reet Ennet

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July 4, 2019

NordenBladet —

From today until next Monday, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly meets for its Annual Session in Luxembourg. The theme of the Summer Session is the role of Parliaments in advancing sustainable development to promote security. The Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) is represented by Heljo Pikhof, Johannes Kert and Anti Poolamets.

Member of the Estonian Delegation Heljo Pikhof said that she participated in the work of the General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions, where debates on protecting children in conflict zones, educating schoolchildren to avoid human trafficking, and religious tolerance and overcoming discrimination against minority faiths would be held. Combating xenophobia, aggressive nationalism and intolerance will be spoken about as well.

Pikhof added that reducing the impact of migration among the youth and achieving gender equality would be discussed at the working lunch. “We will weigh different initiatives and share the experiences of countries on which initiatives could support young men. Besides educating young women, we have to speak of equal rights also to young men, so that they would understand what gender equality means,” Pikhof said.

Johannes Kert emphasised that he would highlight the issues of the conflict in East Ukraine and the militarisation of Crimea, the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov by Russia in the work of his committee. In Kert’s opinion, it is important that regardless of Russia’s aggressive policy, international organisations help improve the security and human rights situation in Abkhazia, Georgia and South Ossetia.

Anti Poolamets said that parliaments had a decisive role in migration governance and promoting dignified return policies. Poolamets thinks that terrorism and the challenges related to the return and relocation of foreign fighters need special attention.

The topics on the agenda of the 28th Annual Session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly also include the impact of Brexit, energy security, issues relating to climate change, fight against corruption and promoting of good governance.

At the Summer Session, the observers will give an overview of the reports on the recent OSCE election observation missions. Besides that, numerous bilateral meetings and thematic side events will be held. The Session will also include a meeting of the Assembly’s Standing Committee, and elections of the OSCE PA President, Vice-Presidents and heads of committees.

The work of the committees will culminate on 8 July in the adoption of the Luxembourg Declaration, containing recommendations to national governments, parliaments and the international community in the fields of political affairs, security, economics, environment, human rights and humanitarian questions.

Riigikogu Press Service
Epp-Mare Kukemelk
+372 631 6356, +372 515 3903
epp-mare.kukemelk@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Welcome to the Estonian Song and Dance Celebration 2019!

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Helena-Reet Ennet

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July 3, 2019

NordenBladet – In 2019 Estonia will festively celebrate the 150th anniversary of the song celebration – the first song celebration was held in Estonia in 1869. This summer the song celebration will take place for the 27th time and dance celebration for the 20th time.

The Estonian Song Celebration is a tradition, also listed in UNESCO listed treasures, that dates back to the year 1869. In almost 150 years, the song celebration has had a significant effect on the development of Estonian identity and politics. The tradition has enriched the Estonian language and culture. More than once has it encouraged the population to oppose the occupying forces while pursuing the wish for freedom and self-determination.

The 27th song and 20th dance celebration My Fatherland is My Love will take place in Tallinn from July 4–7, 2019

The title of the song and dance celebration that will take place this summer My Fatherland is My Love is a verse from a song of the same name that has become the hymn of the song celebrations; the piece was written by Lydia Koidula and published at the time of the first song celebration. The guiding principle of song celebration conveys important values – the keeping of one’s culture and traditions and the love of the Estonians towards their fatherland.

The celebrations start with a festive procession on July 6th at 1 p.m. that will proceed from the Freedom Square in the centre of Tallinn to the opening concert of the song celebration at the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds. The procession is 5 kilometres long and the roads in the centre of Tallinn and around the Song Festival Grounds are closed to traffic at the time of the procession. All of the participants of the song and dance celebration will take part in the procession divided by counties and everyone can watch the procession free of charge.

The festive opening concert of the 27th Song Celebration with the title To the Teacher will take place on July 6th at 7 p.m. The concert will begin with the opening ceremony during which the flame of the celebrations will be lit in the tower of the flame and the President of the Republic of Estonia will give a speech. Selected choirs that will perform choral and orchestral music of high artistic level entwined into a programme arranged by the different schools of Estonian composers will take the stage. The concert that will last about three hours will give an overview of the history of Estonian music of 150 years and will finish with songs that will be sung jointly by both the audience as well as the choirs. The concert will be held at the Song Festival Grounds in the open air. The audience will have to take into account the weather conditions and in the event of rain we kindly ask the audience to wear waterproof clothes – umbrellas are not permitted as they impede the other audience members’ visibility. The entrance to the concert is subject to a fee or invitation.

The Song Celebration will take place at the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds on July 7th at 2 p.m. Different types of choirs will take the stage one by one (children’s choirs, boys’ choirs, mixed choirs, orchestras etc.). The concert will last about six hours. The concert will be held at the Song Festival Grounds in the open air. The audience will have to take into account the weather conditions and in the event of rain we kindly ask the audience to wear waterproof clothes – umbrellas are not permitted as they impede the other audience members’ visibility. The entrance to the concert is subject to a fee or invitation.

The year 2019 is the year celebrating the anniversary of the song and dance celebrations. Throughout the year various events that involve choral music and folk dance will take place. Information about the song and dance celebration can be found on the internet at www.laulupidu.ee

Join the celebrations! Spread the word and buy your tickets now (piletilevi.ee)!

Featured image: Song festival 2017 (NordenBladet)

Estonia: Mihkelson: Mental hygiene helps handle propaganda

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Helena-Reet Ennet

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July 2, 2019

NordenBladet – Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Marko Mihkelson believes that having strong mental hygiene is the best way for handling propaganda both at the level of the individual and the society.

“The more aware and educated the user is, the harder it is to carry out influence activities and, through it, polarise open societies,” Mihkelson said in The Hague, Netherlands, at the conference on Russia’s influence campaigns, organised by Free Russia Foundation

In Mihkelson’s opinion, Europe should at last get used to the fact that Russia is conducting ceaseless hybrid war against us, where media space is used for influencing the public and the politicians in the name of a strategic aim – to demolish the post-Berlin Wall Euro-Atlantic security architecture.

“We do not so much need new regulations and legislation restricting media space, as we have to create the best possible informational deterrence within the framework of existing legal space, from the Constitutions to the fight against corruption,“ Mihkelson added.

In his speech, Mihkelson asked rhetorically why we were alarmed about the selling of the Russian S440 anti-aircraft weapon system to Turkey, but at the same time gave the green light to the activities of the media warriors of Sputnik and RT to win over the minds and hearts of our people.

At the end of his speech, the Deputy Chairman of Foreign Affairs Committee emphasised that Europe still had very much to do to increase the awareness about information wars.

Source: Parliament of Estonia

Crown Prince Haakon of Norway opened the General Assembly of the European Broadcasting Union

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Helena-Reet Ennet

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June 28, 2019

NordenBladet – Crown Prince Haakon was present at the opening of the General Assembly of the European Broadcasting Union in Norway on Thursday. This year, the Norwegian state owned TV-channel NRK is host to the meeting in Oslo.

The Crown Prince was the one to welcome the European Broadcasting to Norway. The Crown Prince also shared some of his TV-memories from when he was a child. Crown Prince Haakon said: “When I was a kid, we had only one Norwegian TV channel: the NRK. I must admit that some Saturday evenings with my family, gathered in front of the TV, could be a small challenge. My interests and wishes and what was that evening’s entertainment was not always in sync. We watched the weirdest of shows. Still, all of us did it – and we did it together. And the day after, when we went to school or work, everyone else had seen the same.”

The Crown Prince also addressed the changes that have taken place in recent years and the commercialization of the TV industry. Crown Prince Haakon said: “Many things have changed since those days. Technology is transformed. The media landscape is obviously very different. Today in Norway we have TV2, handheld devices and, of course, the internet.”

To many people’s surprise, the Crown Prince also commented on the new existence of fake news, saying: “The truth, the reality, can be uncomfortable. Public service media is in many ways the antidote to fake news. As you all know, today, trust is a scarce resource, a most valuable means. And when we doubt, relevance diminishes, and we turn to something else. Perhaps to fake news, not the real news. Which is why we need the independent public service media even more – committed to the truth and to high journalistic standards.”

Following the speech, EBU’s President and BBC Director General Tony Hall invited Netflix Chief Reed Hastings to an open discussion. They talked about the future of TV. The European Broadcasting Union is the world’s leading organization for public broadcasters with 117 members from 56 countries.

The organization also has 34 associated members from Asia, Australia, Africa and America. The event in Oslo has a lot of support with more registered broadcasters than ever.

Featured image: Crown Prince Haakon (Instagram/@crownprincessmm)

Denmark: Queen Margrethe approves the establishment of a new government in Denmark

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Helena-Reet Ennet

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June 28, 2019

NordenBladet – Queen Margrethe has approved the establishment of a new government in Denmark following an election earlier in June. The discussions to form a new government started the day following the election on June 6. Queen Margrethe was asked by at the acting Prime Minister’s Council, that the Social Democrats Mette Frederiksen had to lead negotiations on the formation of a government. Frederiksen said yes to Queen Margrethe ‘s request and had now formed a government.

On Wednesday Mette Frederiksen informed Denmark’s ruler that she has conducted negotiations with representatives of parties in the parliament and stated that under her leadership a government consisting of representatives of the Social Democratic Party can be formed, which is supported by a majority in the Danish parliament.

Queen Margrethe has subsequently invited Mede Frederiksen, chairman of the Social Democratic Party, to form such a government. Her Majesty Queen received the new government this Thursday at Amalienborg Castle.

At the Queen’s side was her son and successor, Crown Prince Frederik. The royal family will not speak about the time when the Queen is no longer here, but there is an increase in the times when the Crown Prince follows his mother in this kind of events. At this change of government, the successor to the throne was present, and this is not common at all.

Crown Prince Frederik has in several long periods been temporarily regent in Denmark when Margrethe has travelled or otherwise been unable to take care of her duties as queen. He has also been involved in meetings with both Lars Løkke Rasmussen and Mette Frederiksen in connection with the transfer of power after the parliamentary election this year.

Queen Margrethe has approved the establishment of a new government in Denmark following an election earlier in June. The discussions to form a new government started the day following the election on June 6. Queen Margrethe was asked by at the acting Prime Minister’s Council, that the Social Democrats Mette Frederiksen had to lead negotiations on the formation of a government. Frederiksen said yes to Queen Margrethe ‘s request and had now formed a government.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzNyJfUgch0/

The Monarchy of Denmark is a constitutional institution and a historic office of the Kingdom of Denmark. Queen Margrethe II ascended the throne on the death of her father, King Frederick IX, on 14 January 1972. On her accession, Queen Margrethe II became the first female monarch of Denmark since Margrethe I, ruler of the Scandinavian countries in 1375‒1412, during the Kalmar Union.

Mette Frederiksen will be the eight prime minister to serve under Queen Margrethe.