Maritime world has never stood still – the growth is ongoing
Åland Maritime Day 2025 brought together the actors shaping the future of shipping.
On May 22, 2025, the island of Åland became the meeting point for hundreds of maritime professionals, policymakers, innovators and students as the annual Sjöfartens dag (Åland Maritime Day) took place in Mariehamn. Held at the Alandica Culture & Congress Center, the event featured over 100 exhibitors and several topical seminars spanning market trends, security in the Baltic Sea, and pathways toward green maritime technologies.
From future fuels to electrification – industry insights on stage
Speakers from companies such as Eckerö Line, Stena RoRo, Finnlines and Wärtsilä offered insights into the evolving landscape of short sea shipping, sustainability demands, and new energy solutions. Håkan Fagerström of FinFerries gave an inspiring presentation on electrifying archipelago ferry connections, while Wärtsilä’s experts addressed propulsion decarbonisation and methane slip reduction in engine development.
These topics directly relate to the goals of the Sustainable Flow project, which develops a digital tool to help reduce port-related CO₂ emissions across the Central Baltic region. Seeing how aligned the industry’s direction is with Sustainable Flow project’s purpose was both encouraging and energizing.
Security and sustainability: the twin challenges of Baltic maritime
The Alandia seminar on Baltic Sea security brought forward timely concerns – from geopolitical instability to insurance risks. Panelists such as Jan Hanses (Viking Line) and Professor Henrik Ringbom (Åbo Akademi) highlighted the growing need for resilient maritime infrastructure.
At the same time, a shared vision emerged: digitalisation and sustainability are not only trends, but necessities. This aligns strongly with our project’s approach, where collaboration and data-driven tools empower smarter decision-making at ports.
A valuable arena for dialogue and visibility
The event served as a valuable arena for networking and building visibility among maritime stakeholders. Whether engaging in discussions at exhibition stands or joining informal meetups, the conversations reinforced the relevance of the Sustainable Flow initiative in the Baltic Sea ecosystem.
What’s next?
Inspired by the conversations and insights shared at Åland Maritime Day 2025, we continue our work toward more sustainable and data-driven maritime logistics. As one participant aptly stated: “We no longer have the luxury of waiting. The solutions are here — we must scale them.
Writer: Natalie Kylliäinen, SAMK
