On 9–11 September 2025, members of the Maritime Transport Research Group from the Estonian Maritime Academy at TalTech visited VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, one of the core partners of the BALTIC-FIT project. The three-day programme combined partner discussions, internal workshops, company visits, and participation in a major international innovation event.
The programme began on 9 September with a visit to ESL Shipping, hosted by Suvi-Tuuli Lappalainen, Advisory Board member of BALTIC-FIT and HSEQ Manager at the company. The group gained valuable insights into ESL’s fleet operations and sustainability practices.
On 10 September, the consortium held the BALTIC-FIT partner meeting in a hybrid format. Partners reviewed project progress, shared results, and discussed upcoming activities. The day continued with an internal workshop designed to strengthen cooperation and knowledge exchange within the team.
The highlight of the visit came on 11 September, with the 2nd Innovation Workshop of the BALTIC-FIT project, organised by VTT in Espoo, Helsinki. This year, the event was combined with the Team Renewable Arctic Future (TRAF) R&D Workshop, creating a unique platform for dialogue between researchers, industry representatives, and policymakers. The specific focus was shipping and port operations in ice-covered regions in winter — a critical challenge for the Baltic Sea and Arctic transport.
The workshop opened with welcoming words from Teemu Manderbacka (VTT), followed by contributions from international experts. Ulla Tapaninen (TalTech) presented case studies from the Baltic Sea region, addressing sustainability challenges and opportunities. Professor Zhen Gao (Shanghai Jiao Tong University) shared insights into the Chinese R&D landscape for offshore wind energy, while Mikael Lind (RISE) highlighted the role of maritime informatics in decarbonisation and supply chain optimisation. VTT experts concluded with presentations on propulsion efficiency, underwater noise, and alternative fuels. In the afternoon, participants joined a hands-on workshop in smaller groups, working on solutions for vessel requirements in the Baltic Sea region, port competitiveness, and feedback on proposed decarbonisation measures.
By combining regional case studies, global perspectives, and technical innovations, the workshop underlined the importance of international collaboration in advancing energy-efficient, zero-emission shipping — particularly in ice-affected waters.
The visit to VTT reinforced the strong partnership within the BALTIC-FIT consortium and showcased the project’s commitment to innovation and sustainability in maritime transport.
