New industrial development area and railway infrastructure available for investment in Valmiera – Valmiera Industrial Park is completed
Construction has been completed at Valmiera Industrial Park, which is an infrastructure of national importance – a railway siding and internal railway, a cargo loading/unloading (logistics) site, and an industrial electricity connection have been put into operation. The rest of the infrastructure intended for exporting manufacturing companies operating in smart specialization (RIS3) sectors, creating products with high added value, has also been completed. The newly built railway infrastructure will strengthen the role of Valmiera region in the European transport network, consolidating its position as an important connection point between regions and the Baltic States.
Valmiera Industrial Park, operating as Latvia’s first domestic multimodal logistics center, will promote economic growth and export capacity in Vidzeme. This will be a significant stage of development and change in the transport and storage sector, as companies in Vidzeme and South Estonia will be able to optimize their supply chains while reducing transport costs and emissions, as well as the load on roads. The potential of the new and competitive railway infrastructure and the extensive concrete logistics area has also been dubbed Latvia’s first “dry port” (i.e., inland intermodal terminals directly connected to seaports by road or rail).
“Targeted investment in business development is always necessary to promote growth and maintain competitiveness. The development of the Valmiera Industrial Park has been purposefully planned since 2014, implementing this idea gradually and thoughtfully to ensure maximum return on invested resources in the long term. It is planned that at least three export-oriented companies will start operating in the area to be developed under the project, creating new jobs and making significant investments in business. These are historically the largest investments in the development of the Valmiera region, which will make a significant contribution to both the region’s economy and the well-being of its residents. At the same time, in parallel with the development of business infrastructure in the municipality, we continue to invest in affordable housing and competitive education to ensure a timely supply of qualified specialists to the labor market,” says Jānis Baiks, Chairman of the Valmiera Municipality Council.
Read full announcement (external link)
Originally published on 17 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.
As cruise and other maritime operators face growing pressure to cut emissions, modernize vessels, and upgrade port infrastructure, Estonia is bringing a practical maritime transition approach to Seatrade Cruise Global 2026. The Northern European country presents a connected ecosystem spanning €25 million state-backed retrofit support, port electrification, digital systems, and companies across the whole maritime value chain.
Across shipping, the green transition is increasingly being shaped by implementation. Decarbonization is no longer only about newbuilds, but also about how existing vessels can be modernized in a practical way – improving efficiency, upgrading passenger areas, and preparing ships for new fuels within real refit windows and operational limits.
Read full announcement (external link)
Originally published on 10 Apr
Since launching its ferry route between Malmö and Świnoujście on April 10, 2024, Finnlines has transported over 200,000 passengers and drivers in its first two years of operation. To mark the two-year milestone, Finnlines is adding an extra Saturday evening departure from Malmö on April 18 and April 25, bringing the total to two departures on those dates.
“Reaching over 200,000 passengers and drivers in just two years is a testament to the strength of this route. We have seen a steady increase in demand as more discover the convenience of a direct connection between Malmö, a key hub in southern Sweden close to Copenhagen, and northern Poland, with easy access to Germany,” says Marco Palmu, Head of Passenger Services at Finnlines.
Read full announcement (external link)
Originally published on 8 Apr
Electric boat company Candela, which is a tenant of Ports of Stockholm, has secured extensive orders for its hydrofoiling vessels from countries around the world. Now the first ship is being delivered from Frihamnen port, via Stockholm Norvik Port, to Mumbai. And of course it will be delivered by sea.
The first of Candela’s electric vessels, the P-12, left Frihamnen port in central Stockholm for Stockholm Norvik Port under its own power in early April. There, the vessel was loaded onto a larger vessel for onward transport by sea via Antwerp to Mumbai in India.
Read full announcement (external link)
Originally published on 10 Apr
The first month of spring saw continued strong demand for travel to and from Copenhagen Airport. In March, 2.590 million passengers travelled through the airport, representing an increase of 16 per cent compared with the same month last year. This made it the busiest March in the airport’s history.
“We have had a March with many travel-ready passengers in the terminals. Many have already travelled for the Easter holidays, either to warmer destinations or to one of the many major cities with direct connections from Copenhagen. At the same time, March marks that we have now had 12 consecutive months of passenger records, which demonstrates continued strong demand for air travel,” says Peter Krogsgaard, Chief Commercial Officer at Copenhagen Airport.
Read full announcement (external link)
Originally published on 8 Apr
During the WindEurope Offshore Helsinki conference last week, Euroports presented the development of the port of Koverhar, located in the Port of Hanko area, Finland, as the next-generation industrial hub for Finland, Sweden and across the Baltic Sea.
The port of Koverhar is designed to address a key structural gap in the market: the lack of integrated, industrial-scale port infrastructure capable of supporting both fabrication and marshalling activities.
Read full announcement (external link)
Originally published on 8 Apr
To reach net zero emissions by 2045, Sweden must electrify its transport sector. In the Spring Amending Budget, the Government and the Sweden Democrats intend to allocate more funding to expand the electric vehicle premium and to increase government agencies’ purchasing of fossil-free alternatives.
“Electrification is the future. These are two proposals aimed at furthering the transition by electrifying our transportation and thereby making society less sensitive to, for example, oil price surges,” says Acting Minister for Climate and the Environment Johan Britz.
Read full announcement (external link)
Originally published on 7 Apr
Estonian biotechnology company ÄIO and natural cosmetics brand tilk! announce the launch of their first commercial product together: Skin Booster Bio‑Fermented Serum with ÄIO RedOil.
The product is a significant step for ÄIO, marking its evolution from research and ingredient development to market-ready, consumer-facing applications. Developed by tilk!, the serum combines ÄIO’s RedOil with marine and plant-based actives to deliver a high-performance skincare solution grounded in both science and nature. The partnership marks a breakthrough for Estonia’s rising biotech and cosmetics sectors, demonstrating how local innovation can shape the future of clean, high‑performance beauty.
Read full announcement (external link)
Originally published on 7 Apr
Lithuanian space and defence technology company Astrolight has launched its ATLAS-1 laser communication devices into orbit, in what the company says is the first Lithuanian laser communications system to reach space.
The devices were launched on 30 March 2026 aboard a Falcon 9 rocket during SpaceX’s Transporter-16 mission in California. According to Astrolight, the ATLAS-1 units will be used in three separate customer missions led by a French deep-tech company, the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
Read full announcement (external link)
Originally published on 7 Apr
VTT has published its key results from the national Towards Fossil‑Free Steel (FFS2) project as part of the consortium final report. VTT’s work in FFS2 focused on solutions that help steel producers replace fossil fuels and make full use of industrial side streams in a future fossil‑free value chain.
The transition to fossil free steel requires not only new energy sources, but also system level solutions that work on an industrial scale. In the FFS2 project, VTT has addressed this challenge by developing and validating technologies that integrate electrification, hydrogen and circular material flows into existing and future steelmaking processes. The results strengthen the technological basis for industrial decision making and support a faster, lower risk transition towards fossil-free steel production
Read full announcement (external link)
Originally published on 7 Apr
AS “SAF Tehnika,” a manufacturer of wireless data transmission equipment, has acquired a 50.5% stake in the newly established drone manufacturer SIA “AeroVictory Baltic”.
“AeroVictory Baltic” has a paid-in share capital of 20,200 euros. As a result of the transaction, “SAF Tehnika” has acquired 102 shares out of a total of 202 shares, representing 50.5% of the share capital and voting rights.
Read full announcement (external link)
Originally published on 8 Apr