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.
The event was opened by Jaak Jaak Viilipus, Director of Maritime Affairs at the Ministry of Climate, Riina Palu, Chair of the Estonian Maritime Cluster, and Ulla Tapaninen, Professor at TalTech Estonian Maritime Academy and BALTIC-FIT project Coordinator, and followed by the engaging presentations by guest speakers Wolfgang Lehmacher and Maurice Jansen offered on optimization of supply chains and sustainable port management. Their insights set the tone for a fruitful day of collaboration and knowledge sharing.
The workshop participants took part in parallel workshops on maritime decarbonization:
- Decarbonization through Digitalization (moderated by Wolfgang Lehmacher, Kadri Haufe, Mikael Lind)
- Sustainable Ports (moderated by Maurice Jansen, Hele-Mai Metsal)
- Decarbonization in Shipping: Potential and Existing Technologies (moderated by Ulla Tapaninen, Hannes Lilp, Teemu Manderbacka)
An additional highlight for attendees was a special training session on Navigating EU Funds for Green Maritime Initiatives and Successful Proposal Writing Strategies, followed by the chance to receive individual consultations for EU proposal writing. This session was moderated by Anna Zmiievska, Anromind, a BALTIC-FIT partner.
We would also like to acknowledge the workshop and training moderators, and all attendees for their active participation and discussions. Special thanks to Maritime Transport research group members Kristel Rauk Deniece M. Aiken, PhD, Kadi Kasepõld, Kristin Kerem, Riina Otsason, Seçil GÜLMEZ, Suvi-Tuuli Lappalainen, Jonne Kotta who made this event happen with their hands and thoughts and also to Andres Laasma, Mari-Liis Tombak, Olli Pekka Hilmola and Tõnis Hunt. This event underscored the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing in driving innovation in the maritime sector.
