Port of Stockholm and Port of Helsinki gather stakeholders for stronger Finnish-Swedish cooperation
A well-attended seminar at the Finnish Institute in Stockholm became a meeting place to highlight the strong ties between Finland and Sweden. Together, the countries have a long history of shared values, culture and trade. This results annually in millions of passenger journeys and the transport of millions of tons of goods across the Baltic Sea.
Twice a year, Ports of Stockholm organizes a maritime meeting to bring together industry stakeholders to highlight important issues for the industry. This time the theme was Finland and Sweden - together we are stronger. The seminar was a joint arrangement between Ports of Stockholm and Port of Helsinki.
“We are very pleased to have the opportunity to organize this seminar together with Port of Helsinki and to see such a great commitment. It shows that the interest in our close relations with our neighboring country Finland is high on the agenda and that the role of shipping is extremely relevant”, says Jens Holm, Chairman of the Board of Ports of Stockholm.
During the seminar the importance of ports and shipping as critical infrastructure and as bridges between the countries, both physically and economically, was discussed. Ports, as core points in the European transport network, play a key role in promoting growth and sustainability in the Baltic Sea region.
“All Baltic Sea countries depend on maritime transport, especially Finland where 96 percent of the foreign trade is transported by sea. It is therefore important to bring together actors in the logistics chain and discuss the crucial role of shipping for travel, trade and strengthening competitiveness,” says Ville Haapasaari, CEO Port of Helsinki.
The seminar brought together speakers from the diplomacy, business and industry and touched on everything from sustainable shipping and future perspectives to concrete discussions with customers and industry players.
The speakers were:
- Magdalena Bosson, CEO Ports of Stockholm and moderator
- Ville Haapasaari, CEO Port of Helsinki
- Jens Holm, Chairman of the Board of Ports of Stockholm
- Maimo Henriksson, Ambassador of Finland to Sweden
- David Stenergard, Business Policy Expert Stockholm Chamber of Commerce
- Per Lyrvall, Country Manager Sweden Stora Enso
- Laura Brander, Sustainability Coordinator Orkla Suomi
- Liselott Lindström, journalist and foreign correspondent SVT
- Jan Hanses, CEO Viking Line
- Piret Mürk-Dubout, CEO Tallink Silja Sweden
- Erika Ehrnrooth, Chief Operating Officer Strawberry Finland
- Kaj Takolander, Vice President Port of Helsinki
- Stefan Scheja, Marketing Manager Ferries and Cruises Ports of Stockholm
Photo above: Ville Haapasaari, Stefan Scheja, Erika Ehrnrooth, Kaj Takolander and Magdalena Bosson.
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