NHO

In the early 2000’s Norway and Russia were attempting to come to terms with various jurisdictional issues between the countries. Before the historic economic pact was signed almost a decade later, NHO, a Norwegian business confederation of over 20,000 companies, contracted with Ocean Futures AS of Oslo to do a fact finding report on various aspects of the northern sea region.

Ocean Futures engaged UP-Ideas to create a series of 8 maps to accompany their reports. These maps juxtaposed sets of information that had never been shown together before, allowing for a broader picture of resources, infrastructure and transport corridors.

The first graphic, completed prior to the 8 map series, challenged UP-Ideas to boil down the complexity of coastal jurisdictional controls to its bare essence. Three maritime legal terms: Territorial Sea, Exclusive Economic Zone, High Seas; have very specific legal meanings that are not well known. This means that they are often used improperly. After much discussion and work, UP-Ideas was able to do this in a clear and simple graphic.

The 8 map series was designed to work in print at a size of 11×17 up to a 48” wide. Per client requirements, all graphics were to be in vector format except for topographic and bathymetric shading.

The maps show jurisdictional boundaries, disputed zones, ice extent, fisheries production/processing, off-shore fossil fuel leases & wells, major transit corridors (sea & land), ports, pipelines, mines & refineries, lumber & mills. Maps were used in NHO’s annual conference with over 10,000 in attendance and have been featured in Norwegian newspaper articles and, reportedly, in high level Norwegian cabinet meetings.

In 2006, this series earned the Electronic Mapping Award for best in category and the coveted British Cartographic Society Award for best in show.