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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The construction procurement for the mainline of Rail Baltica’s Estonian section has reached a significant milestone: two international consortia have been declared successful. Upon contract signing, these consortia will implement the construction of two major sections of the international high-speed railway. This step ensures full contractual coverage of the Estonian passenger mainline, bringing Rail Baltica closer to establishing a functional rail corridor between Tallinn and Warsaw by 2030.
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Originally published on 13 Mar
Vilnius has been awarded the top international recognition for its foreign direct investment (FDI) strategy, securing the prestigious Best FDI Strategy Award at MIPIM 2025, one of the world’s largest real estate exhibitions. The Lithuanian capital was honoured in the fDi European Cities and Regions of the Future 2025 rankings for mid-sized cities, an initiative by fDi Intelligence, a division of the Financial Times. This recognition underscores Vilnius’ long-term commitment to attracting global investment, fostering a business-friendly environment, and driving innovation.
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Originally published on 12 Mar
If you are 16-29 and live or are from the Baltic Sea Region, you are invited to run for a top leadership position in the Baltic Sea Region Youth Forum (BSRYF), a platform enabling young individuals to shape their future. Registration for the third election cycle is now open. Young individuals and aspiring young leaders can apply until 6 April 2025, with elections taking place online on 24 April 2025.
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Originally published on 12 Mar
The second Green4HEAT regional working group took place in Salaspils, where representatives of local governments, experts of heat supply companies and energy specialists discussed the development of energy communities in Latvia. The event took place within the framework of the Interreg Europe programme project Green4HEAT, which aims to accelerate the deployment of low-temperature heating solutions by promoting cooperation and knowledge sharing between regions.
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Originally published on 11 Mar
The Tehnopol Film and Multimedia Accelerator, which is part of the IDA Hub film campus being developed in Jõhvi, is looking for new and ambitious teams who want to drive innovation in film production and multimedia work. The news last week that the building contract for the Jõhvi film campus had been signed was very exciting for us and for our partners. The doubters who said that Ida-Virumaa could not be a base for new technology and a major platform for cinematic advances have been shown to be mistaken. Technology develops so fast that a technological approach can achieve a great deal without anyone needing to go anywhere near Hollywood.
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Originally published on 11 Mar
Today, a study was presented regarding the role of green hydrogen in the Norwegian economy and its potential development in Latvia. Currently, Norway produces 10% of Europe’s total green hydrogen, making it the second-largest player in the industry after Germany. Latvia has also begun early-stage hydrogen technology applications in various sectors, including water transport and aviation fuel, which could potentially establish a new economic industry.
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Originally published on 10 Mar
Sunly, in collaboration with Metsagrupp, is developing a 16 MW / 32 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) next to the 45 MW Raba solar park. The total project cost is €7 million, and it will be built without subsidies. Construction is set to begin this summer, with completion expected in early 2026.
The construction permit for the Raba battery park, located in Pärnumaa, was obtained in January, and work will commence in the coming months. The 16 MW battery can store 32 MWh of electricity over two hours, ensuring that solar energy can be used even when the sun is not shining.
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Originally published on 7 Mar
On 12 March 2025, maritime experts from CBSS Member States will convene online to discuss the priorities and initiatives of the Estonian CBSS Presidency on Green Shipping Corridors and Digital Twins of the Baltic Sea. The meeting is part of ongoing efforts to map current activities on these topics at both national and macro-regional levels in the Baltic Sea Region.
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Originally published on 6 Mar
Lithuania continues to bolster its presence in the international tourism scene, having recently received the prestigious ITB Health Tourism Award 2025. This award, presented by the world’s largest tourism exhibition, ITB Berlin, recognises countries for their achievements in developing health tourism infrastructure, service quality, and international visibility.
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Originally published on 7 Mar
NIB, Luminor Bank and NORD/LB have agreed to co-finance a 148 MWp solar farm in the Ventspils municipality. The project is developed by Stelo Orienta SIA, a subsidiary of European Energy, a Danish renewable energy company.
The overall financing amounts to EUR 68 million. NIB’s EUR 28 million loan is supported by the European Union under NIB’s InvestEU Framework Operation on Clean Energy Transition. This is NIB’s first InvestEU loan in Latvia.
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Originally published on 6 Mar