Is the introduction of the island exception an advantage for shipping companies? What about the Finnish maritime cluster?

The introduction of the island exception can endanger both the Åland shipping company operations and the future competitiveness of the entire Finnish maritime cluster. The history books tell an interesting story about Gustaf Adolf Mauritz Erikson (1872 – 1947), a ship owner from Åland Archipelargo. When the world's sea transport started using steamships in the … Continue reading Is the introduction of the island exception an advantage for shipping companies? What about the Finnish maritime cluster? →

A quick guide to maritime greenhouse gas emission regulations

By 2050, shipping will change more than it has in decades due to stricter environmental regulations. But what are those regulations? Do we know what the cryptic abbreviations EEDI, EEXI, MRV, CII mean? And above all, which ships they concern, which of them is important and what pitfalls are there. Here is a very short … Continue reading A quick guide to maritime greenhouse gas emission regulations →

Why do container ships slow down?

We notice that ocean-going container ships have once again slowed down. This is due to the down turn of the global economy, which also affects the operations of shipping companies. Slowing down helps to save on fuel costs and prevent a decrease in freight revenues. There are two ways to achieve profitability in the shipping … Continue reading Why do container ships slow down? →

The green transition and the labor shortage are revolutionizing transport logistics

In this decade, transport logistics will change more than ever since introduction of motorised road transport. We are facing two big challenges – the price of fossil fuels is getting higher and higher and the labor shortage is worsening. In practice, we are in a situation where transportation as we have learned is no longer … Continue reading The green transition and the labor shortage are revolutionizing transport logistics →

The port information platforms serve also private companies – Future of the Single Window?

I will always remember that phone call. 25 years ago, I had just started my work at a shipping company. I had learned how information related to ships and cargo is exchanged. Telephone, telex, telefax and, to an increasing extent, e-mail attachments were used. I also got to know the Portnet system, which was implemented … Continue reading The port information platforms serve also private companies – Future of the Single Window? →

Competitiveness of a maritime cluster

The number of successful companies in a maritime cluster can be considered as a measure of competitiveness of a regional maritime cluster. In order for these companies to settle and also stay in the area, the area must also be attractive, i.e. it must offer resources such as capital, labor, skills and subcontracting opportunities, and … Continue reading Competitiveness of a maritime cluster →

Finland’s export’s dependence on sea transport is decreasing all the time – How in the future?

In 2022, only a good half of the value of Finnish exports was transported by sea. The share of sea transport in exports is decreasing all the time, while the share of services is increasing. What will be the need for Finnish sea transport in the future, when the green transition can even make Finland … Continue reading Finland’s export’s dependence on sea transport is decreasing all the time – How in the future? →

How did Finnish sea transport volumes look like in 2022?

In 2022, Finland's foreign trade by sea was 95 million tons. The amount varies every year, but in practice, for the last 20 years, foreign trade by sea has remained at the same level. Figure 1. Finland's foreign trade by sea (source: Statistics Finland, Statfin). About 10 percent of this foreign trade was on trucks, … Continue reading How did Finnish sea transport volumes look like in 2022? →