Klaipėda port’s green course: international ferries will soon be able to switch off their engines while berthed
Port or Klaipėda continues to move along its green course. The port’s terminals have already received the new on-shore power supply systems, and installation is now underway. Testing is planned to begin later this year, and by next year ferries calling at the designated ro-ro terminals will be able to switch off their engines and draw clean electricity from shore -significantly reducing air pollution and noise. The OPS infrastructure being installed in the port is designed specifically for ro-ro vessels, with a total of four shore-power connection points to be set up for ferries.
“Klaipėda Port’s green vision is becoming reality – sustainability here is no longer just a promise. With shore-side electricity, ferries will be able to shut down their engines and reduce their environmental footprint to almost zero. And this is only the beginning. It’s more than a technological milestone – it’s our commitment to the city, its people, and a cleaner future for our sea,” says Algis Latakas, CEO of the Klaipėda State Seaport Authority.
This initiative marks a significant step in Klaipėda Port’s wider shift toward electrification. Earlier this autumn, the port installed its first on-shore power system at the Fleet Base, designed mainly to support the new hydrogen and electric-powered waste collection vessel now nearing completion. The systems now being put in place at the two terminals are specifically tailored for ferries and ro-ro vessels operating between Klaipėda and Denmark, Sweden, Germany and Poland, carrying rolling cargo. In the coming years, similar systems are planned for other terminals as well, enabling shore-side electricity for cruise ships and container vessels.
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Originally published on 10 Nov
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Rising gracefully from a maze of islands and skerries, Turku has become one of the Baltic Sea’s most appealing cruise destinations. Smooth port operations, from efficient disembarkation to clear passenger guidance, create ideal conditions for an unforgettable city visit. From the modern quay and terminal area, a short and straightforward route leads directly into the city centre, framed by the scenic Aura River, leafy parks and vibrant cultural quarters.
Turku Cathedral, the city’s museums and the medieval Turku Castle reflect a long and layered history. At the same time, the city’s strong culinary scene and the calm rhythm of a university town are felt in small yet lively everyday details, making the heart of Turku welcoming and easy to explore even during a short port call.
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Originally published on 7 May
After a multi-day operation, the first of a total of 89 concrete elements for the Fehmarnbelt tunnel is now in place on the seabed. The historic event began late on Monday evening, 4 May 2026. Five tugboats and the special immersion vessel IVY transported the tunnel element from the tunnel factory at Rødbyhavn on the Danish island of Lolland to the immersion point off the Danish coast.
Around noon on Wednesday, the immersion itself began. Approximately 14 hours later, the dedicated position in the Fehmarnbelt had been reached, and the first tunnel element had been positioned precisely in the tunnel trench in front of the Danish tunnel portal. Subsequently, the element was connected to the portal using hydraulic arms. The position was then finally confirmed by precise laser measurements inside the immersed tunnel element. Later in the day, IVY will then be released from the element.
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Originally published on 7 May
Tallinn will host the 17th Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region on 11–13 May at Tallinn Creative Hub, bringing together over 500 experts and decision-makers from across the region to discuss security, economy and future in a rapidly changing world. Tallinn is hosting the Annual Forum for the third time, having previously done so in 2010 and 2018.
The Forum takes place at a time when the region faces geopolitical, climate and demographic pressures that demand more strategic cooperation than before. This year’s central theme is resilience.
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Originally published on 5 May
The Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) is organizing a trade mission for Latvian businesses to Sweden on May 11, 2026, led by Minister of Economics Viktors Valainis. Representatives from 76 Latvian companies have confirmed their participation in the visit, demonstrating strong interest in expanding cooperation in one of Latvia’s most important export and investment markets.
The central event of the trade mission will be the Latvia–Sweden Business Forum in Stockholm, which will be attended by representatives of the governments, business communities, and investment sectors of both countries. On the Swedish side, Sweden’s Minister for Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa and the head of Business Sweden, the Swedish international trade promotion organization, Jan Larsson , underscoring the event’s high significance and political and economic weight.
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Originally published on 6 May
The investments include investments to essential energy infrastructure across the three Baltic countries, including expansion of existing district heating systems, building a renewable heat production facilities, and investments in Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
These investments will strengthen the energy infrastructure, increase system flexibility, and contribute to the diversification of the regional energy mix, strengthening the three Baltic countries’ energy resilience.
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Originally published on 5 May
The marine environment surveys are an integral part of the process of preparing an offshore wind farm for the construction phase and, at a later stage, its operation in accordance with the developed environmental standards. In the area of the planned Baltic West wind farm, which comprises four licenses, comprehensive survey works are performed by the Polish company MEWO, using specialized survey vessels and an aircraft.
The range of activities carried out includes both surveys of the elements of inanimate nature and extensive monitoring of living organisms. The works are performed in the Baltic West area, another offshore wind farm being developed by ORLEN Neptun as part of phase II of offshore wind energy development. The project, with a planned capacity of about 4.1 GW, will enable the future supply of clean electricity to more than 5 million households in Poland.
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Originally published on 6 May
The Estonian applied research center and national metrology institute Metrosert is establishing a nearly €7 million drone technology laboratory in Tallinn. The lab will focus on testing the radar visibility of devices and systems, as well as their resilience to electromagnetic interference.
The electromagnetic compatibility and radar cross-section (EMC/RCS) laboratory will be built as part of Metrosert’s new drone technologies testing centre in Haabersti, scheduled to become operational in spring 2027.
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Originally published on 5 May
Consid continues its international expansion in Poland. Following its establishment in Warsaw, the company is now opening a new office in Gdańsk – one of Central Europe’s fastest-growing technology regions. The expansion strengthens Consid’s presence in Poland and creates new opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange between Sweden and the rapidly growing tech ecosystem around the Baltic Sea.
Gdańsk, together with Gdynia and Sopot in the so-called Tricity region, has in recent years developed into a strong hub for technology, innovation and engineering expertise. The area is home to several technical universities, a vibrant start-up environment and a growing community of developers and digital specialists.
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Originally published on 4 May
April brought favourable conditions to Estonian consumers and marked the second consecutive month of declining electricity prices. Thanks to sunnier weather and warmer temperatures, the average electricity price in April settled at 5.4 cents per kilowatt-hour, roughly 11.4% lower than in March and more than a quarter lower than in April of the previous year. The last time April was cheaper was in 2021, when the monthly average price stood at 4.4 cents per kilowatt-hour.
The reasons behind the lower prices are clear. Warmer weather reduced heating demand and, as a result, overall electricity consumption. Solar and wind generation increased significantly across the region, bringing a large volume of low-cost electricity to the market. This, in turn, reduced more expensive fossil-based generation. Additional support came from the ongoing Latvian hydropower high season, which helped displace higher-cost fossil-based generation assets.
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Originally published on 5 May
On 28 April 2026, elections were held for the leadership of the Baltic Sea Region Youth Forum (BSRYF), selecting a new Chair, members of the Committee of Youth Representatives (CYR), and youth organisations to join the Steering Group. The newly elected representatives will serve a one-year term beginning on 1 July 2026.
The BSRYF is a regional platform that enables young people aged 16–29 to engage in political dialogue and contribute to decision-making across the Baltic Sea Region. It brings together youth representatives from across the region to strengthen cooperation, exchange perspectives, and ensure that young people’s voices are reflected in regional policy discussions, including within the framework of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS).
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Originally published on 5 May