Professor Ulla Tapaninen's blog
The Finnish economy is highly dependent on world trade. Due to its geographical location, maritime transport is our most significant form of transport – especially now that trade with Russia has decreased significantly. In 2024, our foreign trade was worth 230 billion euros, of which almost exactly half was imports and half was exports. Of … Continue reading How did the Finnish maritime transport volumes look like in 2024?
The most important decision for shipping companies right now is what the fuel they will be using will cost in five years. My phone has been ringing lately as the transport sector ponders how shipping operations will change in the future due to tightening environmental regulations. But first, let’s get back to the basics: how … Continue reading How do shipping companies make a profitable business?
It would be easy to think that this exciting time in shipping companies is far behind. That big profits or losses can no longer be made in shipping business. But on the contrary, the shipping industry is still an industry that shows big profits and losses; and where business courage and foresight are rewarded. When … Continue reading The exciting world of maritime economics
Steveco's sales director Ville Kuitunen pointed out on LinkedIn last week that none of the ports owned by Finnish municipalities load or urload ships in the night shift. When I read academic studies on port efficiency, almost all the studies are about container ports, and usually the speed of container handling. This is a narrow … Continue reading Port efficiency
Background Russia started a war against Ukraine in February 2022. Russia largely finances its war by selling fossil fuels abroad, especially crude oil. The G7 countries want make to Russia's military actions difficult, but at the same time they fear that oil sale restrictions will significantly increase the price of oil and thus hinder the … Continue reading The shadow fleet carries Russian oil
The only way that shipping companies can be competitive in the future shipping market is to prepare their operations and their fleet towards the green transition. The regulations for the vessels, new fuels, emission trading and demands of customers and financiers require deep understanding of technical and operational alternatives. In 2023, the International Maritime Organization … Continue reading Regulations towards shipping decarbonisation
The global maritime transportation is undergoing a tremendous change – decarbonisation. As global pressure to address climate change intensifies, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) continues to advance its ambitious goals for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through its GHG Strategy. This commitment is taken centre stage at the 82nd meeting of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 82), being … Continue reading Unravelling the complexities of Life Cycle Assessment at MEPC 82
In the depths of the Internet you can find tips for all kinds of life's challenges. A few weeks ago, I read instructions on how to find a suitable partner in online dating: by asking what the other person thinks about the Jones Act. This X had received almost 700,000 views and more than 6,000 … Continue reading Jones Act as a first date question
Tales of Talsinki 