Another order for battery trains for Škoda Group. Up to 16 units will be delivered to Latvia
Latvia is preparing for another significant step in the modernisation of its rail transport. Autotransporta direkcija (ATD) announces that Škoda Group has been awarded with the contract to supply up to 16 battery electric multiple units (BEMUs) for regional transport.
The value of the contract comprising of the base delivery of nine trains, an option for seven additional vehicles, spare parts and training is nearly EUR 160 million. The first vehicles are scheduled to be deployed in the first half of 2029. Following the successful launch of battery trains in the Czech Republic at the turn of 2024 and 2025 and the signing of a contract for up to 36 battery trains for Slovakia, this is another order for the Škoda Group for this type of vehicle.
The units will also be the first Škoda Group battery-powered vehicles designed for a 1,520 mm gauge. They represent the next evolution of the successful platform of single-deck regional trains developed for the Baltic markets. The project is financed by the state budget of Latvia and EU Cohesion Funds, which are supporting the development of modern zero-emission mobility in Latvia.
Read full announcement (external link)
Originally published on 11 Dec
Announcements are published as a service to readers. The sender is responsible for all content. Announcements for publication can be submitted to announcements@thehanseatic.com.
KONE Corporation and a consortium led by Advent and Cinven, through their jointly controlled holding company Vertical Topco I S.A., have entered into an agreement to combine KONE and TKE in a cash and share transaction.
This industry-revitalizing transaction brings together two exceptional global businesses with highly complementary geographic footprints and innovation platforms. The combined group would have a balanced global presence, leading service and modernization capabilities, and the resources to accelerate the development of new solutions and digital services. As such it would be in a better position to meet its customers’ rising demand for safe, sustainable and data driven urban vertical transportation solutions. The combination would offer substantial value creation from realized synergies, estimated to be approximately EUR 700 million on an annual run-rate basis, benefitting customers and shareholders alike.
Read full announcement (external link)
Originally published on 29 Apr
Second-hand marketplace Vinted Group has completed an €880 million secondary share sale, valuing the company at €8 billion and underscoring continued investor confidence in the resale sector.
The transaction was led by EQT, Schroders Capital and Teachers’ Venture Growth, the late-stage venture capital arm of the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan. EQT, an existing investor, increased its stake in the company, while Teachers’ Venture Growth and Schroders Capital joined as new shareholders. Schroders Capital had previously been an indirect investor in Vinted since 2018.
Read full announcement (external link)
Originally published on 28 Apr
The collaboration between the Finnish company OneClinic and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) has progressed to the implementation of the OC Logistics system. The system will take the procurement, storage, and distribution of vaccines and pharmaceuticals in the pharmaceutical wholesale trade to a new level. The same system will also be used to prepare for threat and crisis situations in the rescEU project.
“I am very pleased with the implementation of OC Logistics. Although the workload was heavy, everything went really well. The official implementation took place on April 13,” says Minna Manner-Lehtinen, Responsible Pharmacist of THL’s pharmaceutical wholesale trade.
Read full announcement (external link)
Originally published on 28 Apr
Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL), a global vacation leader redefining the future of vacations, today announced it has confirmed with Meyer Turku the order of a sixth and seventh Icon Class ship to be delivered in summer 2029 and summer 2030, respectively.
The order is part of the company’s long-term framework agreement with Meyer Turku that secures the Group’s access to shipbuilding capacity through 2036 and includes the previously announced Icon 5 order to be delivered in 2028. Meyer Turku has been a key partner in developing the award-winning Icon Class, helping to bring to life the most innovative ships ever built and advancing the next generation of vacation experiences. The Icon 7 order is subject to customary conditions, including financing.
Read full announcement (external link)
Originally published on 27 Apr
Sitra’s future-oriented work took a new direction in 2025, in accordance with the strategy adopted the previous year. Sitra decided to make a historically large special investment of EUR 50 million in strengthening the productivity of the public sector by using data and artificial intelligence between 2025 and 2028.
“The lack of economic growth, imbalances in public finances and the ageing population require significant reforms from Finland. The goal of the special investment is to provide a more sustainable basis for services and their funding in the future,” says Sitra’s President Atte Jääskeläinen.
Read full announcement (external link)
Originally published on 28 Apr
Deltagarna i kickoffen framför ett fartyg i Värtahamnen
In April 2026 a joint kickoff was held in Stockholm for the Swed-Est Green Collaboration – an initiative to accelerate the transition to fossil-free and sustainable maritime and port operations between Sweden and Estonia. Representatives from the ports of Stockholm and Tallinn attended.
On November 4, 2025, Ports of Stockholm and Port of Tallinn signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Tallinn to establish Swed-Est Green Collaboration – an initiative to accelerate the transition to fossil-free and sustainable maritime and port operations between Sweden and Estonia. Particular focus is on the Tallinn–Stockholm and Paldiski–Kapellskär routes.
Read full announcement (external link)
Originally published on 27 Apr
Another domestic company has joined the group of firms preparing to participate in the most demanding phase of the project to build Poland’s first nuclear power plant – the nuclear island. It is ZBUD – a manufacturer and supplier of specialized overhead lifting equipment for the industrial and energy sectors. Based in Dąbrowa Tarnowska, in the Małopolskie Voivodeship, the company has just begun the process led by PEJ and Westinghouse to prepare for the implementation of the requirements of ASME NQA-1, the American quality assurance standard, being a prerequisite for participating in the manufacturing of key nuclear components subject to the highest quality and safety standards.
“Nuclear new build is a transformative program as it requires the creation of an entirely new sector in Poland, new supply chains, and new areas of specialization, and at the heart of these efforts are Polish manufacturing companies and those providing related services. We are taking concrete steps to ensure the engagement of local content in this and future nuclear investment projects in Poland. By participating in the construction of power plants under the government’s program, Polish companies have a unique opportunity to acquire the necessary expertise in the coming years and develop the production of specialized equipment and services so that they can effectively compete in global supply chains with high added value,” Wojciech Wrochna, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Energy, and Government Plenipotentiary for Strategic Energy Infrastructure.
Read full announcement (external link)
Originally published on 23 Apr
Estonia’s reputation as a European DefenceTech hub is proven by striking numbers. The country has secured a significant share of the European Union’s latest defence research investment, with 26 international projects involving Estonian companies or institutions awarded funding under the 2025 round of the European Defence Fund (EDF).
The European Commission is investing €1.07 billion across 57 projects in this cycle, and Estonia’s slice is nothing to scoff at: the combined value of work packages held by Estonian firms exceeds €28M, while the total EU grants flowing to projects with Estonian involvement surpasses €700M, reports the Ministy of Defence — projects that span drones, autonomy, cyber defence and space.
Read full announcement (external link)
Originally published on 27 Apr
From 20 to 22 April 2026, youth delegates aged 18 to 29 from across the Baltic Sea Region met in Warsaw for the CBSS Youth Ministerial 2026. Hosted under the Polish CBSS Presidency by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland, the meeting provided a platform for young people to address regional priorities and prepare recommendations for CBSS Foreign Ministers.
The main outcome of the Youth Ministerial is a set of youth recommendations to be presented to CBSS Foreign Ministers at their upcoming Ministerial Session later this year. Prior to that, the recommendations will also be presented to the CBSS Committee of Senior Officials.
Read full announcement (external link)
Originally published on 22 Apr
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is lending €250 million to Finnish elevator and escalator company KONE to accelerate research, development and innovation in advanced building mobility technologies. The financing will support the development of next-generation elevators, escalators, auto-walks and intelligent digital solutions designed to optimise the movement of people in modern buildings and urban environments.
The EIB loan will support KONE’s research and innovation programme between 2026 and 2029. The activities focus on improving safety, performance and energy efficiency in elevators and escalators, while developing intelligent technologies that help manage people flow in increasingly complex urban environments.
Read full announcement (external link)
Originally published on 23 Apr