Every year, the Maritime Transport Research Group marks the start of the academic season with a study visit to a European port. This tradition strengthens links between research, education, and industry, while offering fresh perspectives for ongoing and future projects.
On 26–27 August 2025, the group travelled to Turku, Finland, where a two-day programme combined academic exchange, training, and industry insights.
The visit began at Åbo Akademi University, where the group was hosted by Dr. Anastasia Tsvetkova and her research team. Their work focuses on marine ecology, sustainable use of marine resources, and the resilience of the Baltic Sea.
In the afternoon, participants explored Aboa Mare, a maritime academy and training centre operating in partnership with Novia University of Applied Sciences and Axxell. The visit included an introduction to state-of-the-art simulators and training methods for navigation, engineering, and autonomous shipping. The warm welcome by Head of Aboa Mare Riku Anttila and inspiring presentations by Petteri Niittymäki, Peter Sandell and Mirva Salokorpi left a lasting impression.
The second day brought the group to Meyer Turku Shipyard, one of the world’s leading shipbuilding companies, known for constructing the latest generation of cruise ships and LNG-powered ferries. Ilkka Rytkölä, Mirja Rasi-Mäki and Ida Sormunen guided the group through the yard innovations in sustainable shipbuilding and the company’s role in the green transition of maritime transport.
Finally, the group visited the Port of Turku that integrates passenger traffic, cargo operations, and green transport initiatives. Hosted by Markku Alahäme, the visit offered valuable insights into port management and future development plans.
The two-day excursion was an enriching experience, showing how academia, training institutions, shipyards, and ports can jointly contribute to sustainable and climate-neutral maritime transport in the Baltic Sea region.
