News

On 9 October 2026, members of the Maritime Transport Research Group  at TalTech Estonian Maritime Academy – Kristine Carjova, Ulla Tapaninen and Eliise Toomeoja – together with members of the BALTIC-FIT Advisory Board, took part in an international meeting with the Virtual Watch Tower (VWT) leadership and Steering Committee. The meeting focused on VWT’s progress

What will it take to build more connected, decarbonised and resilient logistics across the Baltic Sea region? At BALTIC-FIT Innovation Workshop #3, three keynote speakers will approach this question from different but closely connected perspectives. Per Thöresson, former Swedish Ambassador and senior diplomat, will set the broader geopolitical, trade and economic context for the future

The third BALTIC-FIT Innovation Workshop, organised by RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, will take place on 4–5 November 2026 in Marstrand, Sweden, bringing together representatives from across the maritime and logistics ecosystem. The workshop will explore how a more coordinated approach can contribute to greener, more connected, resilient and secure logistics in the Baltic Sea

As part of the BALTIC-FIT project, members of the TalTech Estonian Maritime Academy Maritime Transport Research Group started the new academic year with a study visit to two important Estonian ports – Sillamäe and Kunda. The visits provided an opportunity to explore port operations first-hand and gain a closer understanding of the infrastructure and superstructure

The BALTIC-FIT Summer School 2026 brought together PhD candidates and early-career researchers in Espoo, Finland, for four days dedicated to technological opportunities in maritime decarbonization. In this video, participants share their impressions, key learnings, and takeaways from the programme. The Summer School combined expert lectures on alternative fuels, hydrogen fuel cells, winter navigation, digitalisation, propulsion

The first days of the BALTIC-FIT Summer School 2026 in Helsinki are unfolding under a strong focus on technological innovation, operational efficiency, and practical solutions for maritime decarbonisation. Bringing together researchers, industry experts, and young professionals from across Europe and beyond, the programme creates a dynamic environment for sharing knowledge and perspectives on the future

The BALTIC-FIT Summer School 2026 has officially started, bringing this year’s focus to Technological Opportunities in Maritime Decarbonization. Hosted this year in Helsinki, Finland, the Summer School is organised by project partner VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd, one of Europe’s leading research institutions. More than PhD students, early-stage and senior researchers, professors and

On 20 May 2026, Kristine Carjova from the Maritime Transport Research Group at TalTech visited Riga Port Group / Riga Central Terminal together with the Women in Transport in Latvia Association. As one of the oldest cargo terminals in Riga, historically linked to coal handling, the terminal today reflects the broader transformation of port operations,

From 5 to 7 May 2026, the EARMA Annual Conference in Utrecht, the Netherlands, brought together research managers and administrators from across Europe to discuss the evolving role of research support in a changing funding landscape. Kristel Rauk (Estonian Maritime Academy) participated in the event within the framework of the BALTIC-FIT project, contributing to discussions

From 23 to 26 March 2026, the Nordic-Baltic Maritime Forum takes place in Helsinki, Finland, gathering maritime leaders, innovators, and policymakers from across the Nordic-Baltic Eight — Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden. The four-day programme combines site visits, networking, and thematic discussions focused on maritime decarbonisation, digitalisation, and the evolving role

On 12 February 2026, members of the TalTech Estonian Maritime Academy and the Maritime Transport Research Group participated in the Smart Sea Centre of Excellence Annual Seminar titled “Safety, Defence and Green Transition in the Maritime Sector – Whose Concern?” The seminar was organised by the TalTech Smart Sea Centre of Excellence and brought together

On 20 January 2026, the second capacity-building workshop on research dissemination, communication, and exploitation was held online within the framework of the BALTIC-FIT project. The session, titled From Open Science to Market and Policy Uptake in Maritime, was delivered by EU funding expert Anna Zmiievska (Anromind) and brought together researchers from the Maritime Research Group

Following the GreenSEA Dialogue 2026 conference, BALTIC-FIT continued its agenda in Singapore with a series of professional meetings focused on deepening cooperation in maritime research, education, innovation, and cybersecurity. 14 January 2026. Kristine Carjova (TalTech Estonian Maritime Academy), together with  Kristel Alver (Estonian Embassy in Singapore), visited the Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI). During the meeting

On 12-13 January 2026, representatives of the BALTIC-FIT project joined the international conference GreenSEA Dialogue 2026 – Green Singapore Europe Advancement for a Sustainable Maritime Future, held at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. Kristine Carjova (TalTech Estonian Maritime Academy) and Mikael Lind (RISE) were among the invited speakers, contributing to two high-level panels that addressed

On 1 December 2025, BALTIC-FIT representatives Kristine Carjova, and Ilkka Perälä (VTT) joined the conference Antarctica Day: Polar Science, Environment and Politics, held at the Estonian Academy of Sciences in Tallinn. The event was jointly organised by the Estonian Academy of Sciences, the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Estonian Ministry of Climate, and the

On 26 November 2025, Prof. Ulla Tapaninen, BALTIC-FIT coordinator, joined the SeaFocus International “Power of Youth” event in Helsinki, Finland – a high-energy gathering spotlighting the next generation of maritime minds. Prof. Ulla Tapaninen contributed with a presentation titled “Decarbonisation Challenge in Shipping” and spoke about what it really takes to cut emissions at sea

On 25 November 2025, Prof. Ulla Tapaninen, coordinator of the BALTIC-FIT project, took part in the S4M Seminar in Turku, Finland. The event brought together maritime professionals, researchers, and policymakers to explore how shipbuilding, sustainability, and smart material management are evolving in the face of digital and green transitions. Prof. Ulla Tapaninen delivered a session

On 19 November 2025, the second workshop on EU research management and administration by VTT was held at the TalTech Estonian Maritime Academy, as part of the capacity-building programme implemented under the BALTIC-FIT project. The first workshop took place in May 2025 during the BALTIC-FIT Summer School. This follow-up session, led by Kaisa Vehmas and

From 29 – 30 October 2025, the Kotka Maritime Research Conference (KOMAREC 2025) gathered maritime researchers, industry representatives, and policymakers to explore science-based solutions for a climate-neutral and resilient maritime sector. The BALTIC-FIT team was strongly represented during both days of the conference with research presentations and posters covering different aspects of sustainable maritime transport.

The BALTIC-FIT team warmly congratulates our project coordinator, Prof. Ulla Tapaninen, on being awarded the Estonian Maritime Academy Medal of Merit — the highest recognition of TalTech Estonian Maritime Academy. The award was presented during the Academy’s 106th anniversary celebration on 27 October 2025 in Tallinn, honouring Professor Tapaninen’s outstanding contribution to maritime research and

From 16–18 October 2025, the 25th International Multi-Conference on Reliability and Statistics in Transportation and Communication (RelStat-2025) took place at the Transport and Telecommunication Institute (TSI) in Riga, Latvia. The event gathered over 200 researchers, policymakers, and industry experts to discuss smart connectivity, data-driven mobility, and sustainable transport systems. Representing the Maritime Transport Research Group

On 9–10 October 2025, members of BALTIC-FIT — Prof. Ulla Tapaninen, Kristel Rauk, Dan Heering, and Kristine Carjova — visited the Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology (LUT) for a two-day staff exchange. Hosted by LUT experts from the School of Energy Systems and LUT Business School, the visit created a meaningful opportunity to connect maritime innovation

On 7 October 2025, BALTIC-FIT, represented by Kristine Carjova, participated in the Interreg Project Platform Development Workshop held at the Hilton Garden Inn Riga Old Town. The workshop gathered representatives of Interreg projects across the Baltic Sea region to explore the second call for Project Platforms and discuss how to build stronger synergies among ongoing

On September 26, 2025, the Maritime Transport Research group took part in the 21st International Maritime Conference in Tallinn – the oldest maritime conference in the Baltics. The event – co-organized with Tallink Grupp, the Estonian Shipowners Association and Corpore Conferences – gathered leading voices from across the maritime and transport sectors to explore the

As part of BALTIC-FIT, Riina Otsason from TalTech Estonian Maritime Academy recently visited the University of Zagreb Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture. This staff exchange provided an excellent opportunity to share experiences, strengthen academic cooperation, and explore future collaboration in the field of maritime research and innovation. Thanks to Prof. Nikola Vladimir for

On 18 September 2025, the BALTIC-FIT, Sustainable Flow, and Erasmus projects came together for a staff exchange hosted by the University of Dubrovnik in Croatia. Representing the Maritime Transport Research Group at TalTech’s Estonian Maritime Academy, Deniece Aiken, Seçil Oğuz, Kristine Carjova, and Riina Otsason took part in the programme. The visit included in-depth discussions

On 11 September 2025, the 2nd Innovation Workshop of BALTIC-FIT project took place in Espoo, Helsinki, Finland. The event was organised by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and held in cooperation with the Team Renewable Arctic Future (TRAF) R&D Workshop, bringing together researchers, industry representatives, and policymakers. The specific focus was shipping and port

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

The ESREL SRA-E 2025 conference is currently underway in Stavanger, Norway, bringing together over 900 participants and featuring more than 700 presentations across 14 parallel sessions. This prominent annual event, co-organised by the European Safety and Reliability Association (ESREL) and the Society for Risk Analysis Europe (SRA-E), serves as a key platform for advancing knowledge

From 11 to 13 June, members of the BALTIC-FIT project are participating in the prestigious 16th International Conference on Marine Navigation and Safety of Sea Transportation (TransNav 2025), hosted by Gdynia Maritime University and The Nautical Institute. The event brings together maritime experts, academics, and professionals from over 80 countries to discuss innovations in marine

The BALTIC‑FIT Summer School 2025 gathered PhD candidates and young researchers in Tallinn for a week of intensive training, expert-led sessions, and international exchange. In the video, the researchers share key learnings, impressions, and takeaways from the programme. From the “Future of Fuels Game” and remote simulator training to thesis workshops and networking activities, the

On 23 May 2025, a focused training workshop on Horizon Europe proposal writing was held as part of the BALTIC-FIT Summer School 2025, hosted at TalTech Estonian Maritime Academy. The session was the second in a series of capacity-building activities planned within the BALTIC-FIT project to support proposal development and strengthen institutional readiness for EU-funded

During 19–23 May 2025, the BALTIC-FIT Summer School 2025 took place in Tallinn, Estonia, hosted on the premises of the TalTech Estonian Maritime Academy. The school brought together PhD candidates and young researchers focusing on operational measures to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in shipping.  The event was organised through the joint efforts of members

On 23 May 2025, the final day of the BALTIC-FIT Summer School 2025 featured a focused workshop on how successful EU research projects are actually built and managed. Yrsa Cronhjort, Lead for EU Programmes, and Kaisa Vehmas, Senior Specialist for EU Projects, from the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland – one of Europe’s most

On 22 May 2025, during the BALTIC-FIT Summer School 2025, Anna Zmiievska, a EU-funding expert from Anromind, delivered a training workshop for the Summer School audience — including PhD candidates and young researchers, administrative staff from different TalTech Estonian Maritime Academy research groups, as well as researchers from VTT and the RISE Research Institutes of

Two dynamic days are behind us at the BALTIC-FIT Summer School 2025, currently taking place at the TalTech Estonian Maritime Academy in Tallinn. Yesterday, participants took part in an in-depth workshop titled “Structural and Regulatory Framework of IMO and Its Role in Maritime Decarbonisation”, led by Ellen Johanne Eftestøl (Norwegian Business School) together with experts

On the first day of the BALTIC-FIT Summer School 2025, participants took part in a dynamic Icebreaking Activity held at the EMERA Remote Shipping Operations Simulator of TalTech Estonian Maritime Academy. The session was led by Olev Tõnismaa, Head of the Simulator, lecturer at the TalTech Estonian Maritime Academy, and marine pilot at the Estonian

The Summer School opened on May 19 at the TalTech Estonian Maritime Academy with an opening address from Kristel Toom, Director for Research and Development, and a warm welcome by Prof. Ulla Tapaninen, BALTIC-FIT project coordinator. The first lecture, “Ports as a Force for Positive Change”, was delivered by Dr. Maurice Jansen from Erasmus University,

We are proud to share that Prof. Ulla Tapaninen — a member of TalTech Estonian Maritime Academy and BALTIC-FIT project coordinator — has been appointed to the Board of Port of Helsinki. Her appointment reflects strong recognition of her expertise in maritime logistics, digitalisation, and sustainable port development.  With over two decades of experience spanning academia,

On April 10th, 2025, the Maritime, Offshore Energy, and Port Logistics (MOEPL 2025) conference took place in Klaipėda, Lithuania. Organised by the Lithuanian Maritime Academy (Vilnius Tech), the event brought together researchers, business leaders, policymakers, and public sector representatives to discuss key challenges and innovations in maritime transport, renewable offshore energy, and sustainable port development. 

On 24 April 2025, members of the Maritime Transport Research Group — Ulla Tapaninen, Andres Laasma, Tõnis Hunt, Kristin Kerem, Kadi Kasepõld, Seçil Gülmez, Deniece M. Aiken, and Kristine Carjova — had the opportunity to meet with Professor Michael Ekow Manuel from the World Maritime University (WMU) at the Estonian Maritime Academy. During the meeting,

On March 20, 2025, the Maritime Cluster Strategy Day 2025 took place at the Tallinn TV Tower, bringing together over 40 stakeholders from the maritime sector to discuss the future of innovation, collaboration, and growth within the industry. Seçil Gülmez, Eliise Toomeoja, Roomet Leiger, and Tõnis Hunt from the Maritime Transport Research Group participated, contributing

From 7 to 9 March 2025, the international maritime exhibition Meremess 2025 took place at the Eesti Näituste Messikeskus exhibition centre in Tallinn. This is the largest event in the region’s maritime industry, showcasing over 200 different vessels, including motorboats, yachts, and sailboats. More than 105 companies from Estonia and abroad participated in the exhibition.

Kristine Carjova, project manager of BALTIC-FIT and representing the Maritime Transport Research Group at TalTech’s Estonian Maritime Academy, was recently featured in an interview for Meremees magazine. In the interview, she discusses the challenges and opportunities in maritime decarbonization, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and innovation in the Baltic Sea region. Carjova highlights how BALTIC-FIT

Prof. Ulla Tapaninen, BALTIC-FIT project coordinator and professor at the Estonian Maritime Academy, has been featured on the cover of the latest issue of Mente et Manus magazine. In her published article, Prof. Ulla Tapaninen discusses the key challenges and prospects of decarbonising maritime transport, emphasising the need for highly skilled professionals in the industry.

The 20th anniversary edition of Waterborne Days took place on 4-5 February 2025 in Brussels. Waterborne Days is recognised as one of the key annual platforms where researchers, policymakers, ports, shipbuilders, technology developers, and industry associations meet to exchange knowledge and shape long-term strategies for the sector. The conference gathered more than 300 experts from

The 20th International Maritime Conference, titled “Smart Maritime Economy,” took place on September 27, 2024, in Tallinn, Estonia, bringing together key stakeholders from the maritime, transport, public, and academic sectors. The event, held in a hybrid format, was organized by the Estonian Shipowners Association, TalTech Estonian Maritime Academy, Tallink Grupp, and Corpore Conferences. The event

On October 29–30, 2024, members of the BALTIC-FIT project participated in the Baltic Ports for Climate Conference in Tallinn, Estonia. The event was organized by the Baltic Ports Organization and the Port of Tallinn, bringing together experts and stakeholders from the port industry to discuss key trends in maritime transport and sustainability across the Baltic

On November 14, 2024, the BALTIC-FIT project team participated in the ABB Baltics Maritime Day conference, held in Tallinn, Estonia. The conference brought together around 80 industry professionals, including experts from the Estonian Maritime Academy of Tallinn University of Technology and representatives from the public sector, to discuss the latest developments and innovative technologies in

A great continuation of the BALTIC-FIT 1st INNOVATION WORKSHOP “MARITIME DECARBONIZATION” was the Marine Hackathon “Green Corridors”, organized by the Estonian Maritime Academy of TalTech in partnership with the AS Port of Tallinn.

Successful first INNOVATION WORKSHOP on “MARITIME DECARBONIZATION” was held by BALTIC-FIT project on September 12th in Tallinn, Estonia. Bringing together more than 70 leading experts from Estonia, Finland, and Sweden, representing businesses, operational companies, academia and authorities, the event focused on groundbreaking efforts to decarbonize shipping and position the Baltic Sea as a leader in sustainable maritime practices. The successful realization of this event was made possible by the collaborative efforts of the BALTIC-FIT project and the Estonian Maritime Cluster.

Training on proposal writing was held by Anromind in TalTech Estonian Maritime Academy on 11th of September 2024.

On 11 September 2024, Anna Zmiievska, a EU-funding expert from Anromind, delivered a workshop titled “Navigating EU Funds for Green Maritime: Initiatives and Successful Proposal Writing Strategies”, hosted at the TalTech Estonian Maritime Academy. Organised in the framework of the BALTIC-FIT project, this first session in a series of workshops was designed to enhance the

The BALTIC-FIT project kick-off meeting was held on September 11, 2024, in Tallinn. Consortium partners TalTech, VTT, RISE, and Anromind, gathered to align on the project’s objectives and timelines, laying the groundwork for the upcoming milestones.