Sustainable Flow partners gathered in Helsinki to advance maritime decarbonisation
The Sustainable Flow project partners met in Helsinki on 13–14 October 2025 for a two-day meeting hosted by Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (SAMK). The event brought together representatives from partner ports to review progress, share experiences, and plan the project’s final implementation phase.
The meeting opened with a presentation by project manager Mika Lindfors (SAMK), who summarised the project’s achievements to date and outlined the roadmap for the coming reporting period. Sustainable Flow aims to support ports across the Central Baltic region in cutting CO₂ emissions through digital tools, renewable-energy investments, and intermodal transport optimisation.
At the heart of the project lies the Sustainable Flow digital tool, which is now nearing completion. Partners discussed its verification results and the forthcoming reports on measured emission reductions in pilot ports. Once finalised, the tool will be released as open-source software, enabling broader adoption and ensuring long-term usability beyond the project’s duration.
Collaboration and shared learning
The Helsinki meeting also provided a valuable forum for collaboration and shared learning. During the “lessons learned” session, partners exchanged experiences from Work Packages 1 and 2, focusing on digitalisation and renewable-energy solutions. Teams reflected on challenges encountered during implementation, identified practical ways to solve them, and discussed how to prevent similar issues in future projects.
The partners also looked ahead to the final stages of the project, preparing for upcoming meetings in Mariehamn (Åland, December 2025), Riga (January 2026), Tallinn (February 2026) and Pori (April 2026). The consortium’s final seminar is planned for April 2026, marking the culmination of three years of collaboration under the Interreg Central Baltic Programme.
Towards lasting impact
During the closing discussion, participants reflected on the future of Sustainable Flow beyond the project term — exploring possibilities for continued research, further tool development, and integration with the EU’s Baltic Sea Region energy and mobility initiatives (EUSBSR PA Safe).
Despite challenges and changes in partner participation, the meeting reaffirmed the consortium’s shared commitment to advancing digital and renewable solutions for sustainable port operations. As project manager Lindfors summarised:
“Sustainable Flow is not just about reducing emissions — it’s about building a digital foundation for ports that can lead the green transition together.”
