NIB finances Estonian Drone Technology Infrastructure
The Drone Technology Unit is designed to focus on R&D in unmanned aviation, communications, navigation, flight physics, and hardware security. It will consist of laboratories designed to validate and industrialise unmanned systems across the air, ground, and maritime domains.
The unit is part of the recently established Applied Research Centre in Estonia and is planned to become fully operational during summer 2027.
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Originally published on 6 Feb
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The Port of Tallinn and Ports of Stockholm signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 4th of November in Tallinn to launch the Swed-Est Green Collaboration, a joint initiative aimed at promoting sustainable and fossil fuel free maritime activities between Estonia and Sweden, primarily at the harbours connecting Tallinn–Stockholm and Paldiski–Kapellskär routes.
According to Valdo Kalm, CEO of the Port of Tallinn, the collaboration aims to reduce the environmental impact of maritime transport while offering passengers and cargo operators future-oriented, sustainable solutions.
“This partnership provides both ports with a strategic advantage, making us more attractive to shipowners, passengers and cargo operators who are looking for sustainable travel and transport solutions. It also opens up opportunities for developing new business models in fossil fuel free maritime transport, for joint scientific and applied studies, and for applying for EU and other funding programmes,” Kalm said.
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Originally published on 5 Nov
For Estonia, there’s no neighbour as strategic and important as Finland — aside from the historical and cultural ties, the country leads in the ranking of trade and investment partners. Strengthening these ties is more important than ever.
Last week, Minister of Economy and Industry Erkki Keldo Erkki Keldo led a dynamic Estonian business delegation to Finland on November 3-4, bringing together leading tech companies and industry leaders to deepen cross-border partnerships and explore new opportunities in innovation and manufacturing.
The two-day visit centred on the Finnish-Estonian Business Forum “Smart Neighbours: Future of Industry,” where Ministers Keldo and Finland’s Sakari Puisto talked about the robust economic partnership between the two nations. The forum featured a standout panel discussion with industry heavyweights Risto Siilasmaa (WithSecure, F-Secure), Sten Tamkivi (Plural, Skaala), and Jussi Herlin (KONE), moderated by Kirke Maar from AI & Robotics Estonia.
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Originally published on 7 Nov
The joint German-Lithuanian 155-mm artillery ammunition plant near Baisogala is scheduled to commence operations by the end of 2026. This strategic facility will bolster Lithuania’s defence industry capabilities and contribute to ensuring national security. Today, 4 November, Minister of Energy Žygimantas Vaičiūnas took part in the symbolic ceremony marking the commencement of construction of the plant.
During the ceremonial launch, President of the Republic of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda, Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė, Minister of Economy and Innovation Edvinas Grikšas, Minister of Energy Žygimantas Vaičiūnas, EPSO-G Group CEO Mindaugas Keizeris, and Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger symbolically marked the start of construction work on the facility.
“Energy goes beyond the boundaries of this sector. Today, energy security and national security are two inextricably linked areas. The EPSO-G Group has demonstrated its leadership by implementing strategic energy projects, such as the synchronisation with the continental European network, and is now doing so again by participating in a project of significance for both Lithuania’s and Europe’s security, while also integrating renewable energy,” says Minister of Energy Žygimantas Vaičiūnas.
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Originally published on 4 Nov
In yet another major step to reinforce European security, the European Investment Bank (EIB) is providing €300 million to the Lithuanian government for investments in military infrastructure. The loan marks a strategic milestone in reinforcing the EU’s eastern border, where Lithuania plays a key role in NATO’s collective defence and rapid-response capabilities.
The financing will help Lithuania strengthen its defence capabilities through investments in key areas: harbour boats for piloting and towing, medical transport and equipment, and new infrastructure for residential, administrative, training, transport and logistics needs. The upgrades will support the Lithuanian Armed Forces and help meet North Atlantic Treaty Organization commitments.
The signed loan is part of a broader €500 million investment package approved by the EIB for this operation. It complements a €540 million loan approved earlier this year for the NATO military base in Rūdninkai, along with advisory support. Together, this brings EIB Group support for Lithuania’s defence to over €1 billion in 2025.
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Originally published on 7 Nov
The international robotics organisation Robotex International, registered in Estonia, and the Finnish science and technology society Tietotekniikan ja Elektroniikan Seura (TiES) have signed a partnership agreement to expand cooperation in robotics education and competitions both in Finland and internationally.
Under the agreement, Robotex Finland will be organized in cooperation with Amazing Robots, taking place on 4 November in Helsinki as part of the Teknologia 25 fair. The joint initiative aims to bring together young engineers, students and technology enthusiasts, offering them opportunities to develop their skills and contribute to shaping the future of robotics.
“This partnership is a great example of how two frontrunners in technology education organisations can join forces to inspire the next generation of innovators,” said Nathan Metsala, CEO of Robotex International.
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Originally published on 6 Nov
The strength of modern mobility and logistics lies in its ability to efficiently move goods, services, and data. Europe’s competitiveness relies on this kind of innovation, but it currently faces the challenges of fragmented technology, rising operational expenses, and a shrinking workforce.
Modern transport and logistics operations, from supply chains to digital platforms, are drowning in data. Yet integration remains limited, leaving many systems and teams working in isolation. Fleet digitalization — the transformation of traditional, manual fleet management into a connected, data-driven system through technologies like telematics, software, and AI — is becoming a key process for restoring control and efficiency by connecting data, systems, and people into one coordinated ecosystem.
Lithuania is leading this charge as one of the fastest-moving hubs for logistics and telematics. Many of these pain points were echoed at the Telematics & Connected Mobility Conference 2025 in Vilnius, hosted by Gurtam, where international industry leaders and engineers explored how smarter integration of devices, software, and data strategies can enhance Europe’s competitiveness.
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Originally published on 5 Nov
The Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) has published the Annual Report of the Estonian CBSS Presidency 2024–2025, highlighting the key achievements and developments during Estonia’s Presidency of the organisation from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025.
The report covers contributions from the Estonian Presidency, various CBSS bodies such as expert groups, and projects involving CBSS participation.
The Estonian Presidency focused in particular on strengthening resilience and sustainability in the Baltic Sea Region, with priorities including cooperation in civil protection, the development of a digital twin of the Baltic Sea, and continued work on green shipping corridors.
Read or download the Annual Report of the Estonian CBSS Presidency 2024–2025
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Originally published on 5 Nov
The Baltic Sea Hydrogen Collector (BHC) project has received €15.3 million in EU funding to support preparatory work for a future cross-border hydrogen infrastructure. Recognized as a Project of Common Interest (PCI), BHC aims to connect Finnish and German renewable hydrogen markets, contributing to Europe’s energy transition, market integration, and energy security.
The funding will be used for preparatory activities, including technical (pre-FEED), regulatory, and environmental assessments. These studies aim to explore the potential of BHC as a future cross-border hydrogen import corridor, supporting Europe’s long-term energy transition and energy security.
The planned Baltic Sea Hydrogen Collector (BHC) project, an offshore pipeline connecting Finnish and German renewable hydrogen markets, is receiving support from the European Union. Gasgrid Finland, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), and GASCADE Gastransport GmbH are grateful to receive a €15.3 million grant from the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) programme. BHC is a Project of Common Interest (PCI), essential for Europe’s energy transition, energy security, and market integration.
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Originally published on 28 Oct
Stena Line strengthens its position in the Baltic Sea by acquiring NLC Ferry Ab Oy/Wasaline and taking over operations of the ferry route between Umeå in Sweden and Vaasa in Finland.
“It is with great joy and enthusiasm that we at Stena Line take on the responsibility for Wasaline and the route between two important regions and cities, Umeå and Vaasa,” says Niclas Mårtensson, CEO of Stena Line.
The only existing ferry connection between Umeå and Vaasa is jointly owned by the two cities through the 50/50-owned company Kvarken Link, which in turn owns NLC Ferry which operates under the auxiliary name Wasaline. Under the agreement signed today, Stena Line will acquire NLC Ferry and take over the operation of Wasaline. The vessel Aurora Botnia, which sails the route, will continue to be owned by Kvarken Link, the company jointly owned by the two cities.
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Originally published on 4 Nov
Lithuania is transforming the timelines for strategic investment development in Europe. The country’s Investment Highway initiative, entering into force on November 1, 2025, enables large-scale projects to progress from initial decision to active construction in as little as three months, thus positioning Lithuania as one of Europe’s most agile investment destinations.
Accelerating pre-construction timelines
The Investment Highway removes traditional bureaucratic bottlenecks in territorial planning and construction permitting processes. Qualifying investors can begin building immediately after publishing a construction notice, while permitting proceeds in the background. The framework also enables phased construction, allowing work to commence on completed sections of the technical project while other components remain in design. These changes deliver substantial time savings compared to previous timelines, where the journey from site selection to construction could stretch up to three years.
In practice, this means pre-construction timelines shrink by up to 50% for all large-scale projects – from 36 months down to around 19 months. Projects establishing operations in Lithuania’s seven Free Economic Zones, where territorial planning is already complete, can break ground even faster, reducing timelines from 24 months to just 9 months. Defence sector projects benefit from the most dramatic acceleration: timelines compress from 36 months to just 3 months in non-urbanised areas and from 36 months to 10 months in urbanised locations.
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Originally published on 3 Nov