Port of Gdańsk at the anniversary Seatrade Cruise Global fair in Miami
From 7 to 10 April this year, the global passenger cruise industry met in the heart of Miami for the 40th edition of Seatrade Cruise Global – the largest and most important event in the cruise shipping calendar. The Port of Gdańsk, which traditionally represents Poland on the international stage, had to be among this group of exhibitors and business people from all over the world.
Although the Seatrade Cruise Global trade fair is mainly associated with Florida today, its origins date back to 1985, when the first edition of this event was held in New York. The anniversary fair brought together representatives of the largest shipowners, ports and tourist organisations, who discussed the future of passenger cruises, sustainable development and technological innovations.
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Originally published on 18 Apr
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In the framework of a continuous dialogue with the Italian Ambassador to Poland and his staff, on November 4, 2025, Finnlines Line Manager and Managing Director, Rederi AB Nordö-Link, Antonio Raimo discussed in Warsaw the shipping company’s expanding operations and investments in Poland. Finnlines has operated routes between Poland and Finland for three decades and, last year, launched a new connection for freight and passengers to Sweden.
“Our new investments have enabled us to expand our presence in Poland with additional offices and larger local teams. We are also pleased to further strengthen and broaden our connections across the region. We also had the opportunity to discuss the current and upcoming challenges of the shipping industry, both in Poland and across the Baltic Sea, to ensure the continued development and success of Poland’s maritime network and the security of supply,” says Antonio Raimo, Finnlines Line Manager.
Strong growth on Poland–Sweden route
This summer, passenger numbers on Finnlines’ route between Świnoujście and Malmö rose by 38% compared to the same period last year, highlighting the growing interest in travelling across the sea between the two countries.
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Originally published on 5 Nov
From 27 October to 7 November, NATO’s Largest Digital Backbone Experiment “DiBaX 2025” was taking place at military base “Ādaži” and virtually across several NATO nations. This year, “DiBaX” strategically focused on the use of unmanned vehicles in contested environments and the application of artificial intelligence in detection and decision-making tasks.
‘”DiBaX” is the only military technology experiment of this scale that NATO has been conducting in Latvia for already four years. This demonstrates the advancement of our defence industry in the field of 5G technologies, the National Armed Forces’ contribution to innovation development and Latvia’s defence infrastructure capacity to host such high level experiments,” underlines Andris Spruds, Minister of Defence of Latvia.
The digital backbone is a vital component of NATO’s infrastructure, enabling connectivity for complex Multi-Domain Operations. During the DiBaX, the latest technological advancements was demonstrated and assessed for integration into real-world environments to enhance interoperability and efficiency among Allied Forces.
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Originally published on 7 Nov
Aampere, an E-mobility startup, has closed a €1.6 million funding round led by Trind Ventures, with participation from Gimic Ventures and several experienced business angels from the mobility sector. Aampere will use the funding to accelerate product development and expand its European market presence beyond Scandinavia and the Benelux region.
The European market for used electric vehicles remains highly fragmented and largely analog, characterized by opaque processes, manual handling, and isolated national solutions. Aampere is breaking these outdated structures by creating a fully digital, Europe-wide platform for selling used electric vehicles. With this, the startup is establishing a sustainable and efficient circular economy for e-mobility and driving Europe’s electrification forward.
Aampere provides a digital platform where private and commercial sellers can sell their used electric vehicles across Europe within 48 hours.
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Originally published on 5 Nov
The first Lithuanian laser in space, contributions to Mars atmosphere missions, and joint projects with the European Space Agency (ESA) in quantum technologies – these are among the achievements of Integrated Optics, a Lithuanian laser company. Its compact lasers have opened doors to space, supported by the Innovation Agency.
Compactness and proven reliability led a University of Vienna mission to choose an Integrated Optics laser.
“When we talk about space technologies, every extra gram of a device significantly increases costs, so extremely efficient and compact solutions are required. The same applies in the field of quantum computing – one of the barriers there is the size of optical instruments. Our laser, which is the smallest on the market, is perfectly suited for quantum computation experiments in space. In the future, if everything goes according to plan, another of our lasers will head to Mars to study its atmosphere using a special LiDAR instrument,” says Evaldas Pabrėža, CEO of Integrated Optics.
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Originally published on 6 Nov
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