“Ready for Offshore” programme to equip Polish companies seeking to enter the offshore wind sector: training, competence development and financing of up to PLN 100 million
In July of this year, electricity generated by an offshore wind farm was supplied to the Polish grid for the first time in history, through the Baltic Power project. This marks the beginning of an ambitious offshore development programme in Poland. In the near future, the Baltic Sea has the potential to become one of the most important regions for the development of new, stable and low-carbon energy sources for the economy. According to Poland’s energy policy objectives, the country plans to achieve 5.9 GW of installed offshore wind capacity by 2030, with this potential increasing to as much as 18 GW by 2040. With planned investments reaching PLN 500 billion by 2040, the sector is expected to become one of the key drivers of the energy transition and a cornerstone of Poland’s energy security.
The “Ready for Offshore” programme responds to the needs of the emerging offshore ecosystem and supply chain, including offshore wind investors, Polish companies seeking participation in contracts, and research and development institutions. The programme was designed following consultations with representatives from various industries. These consultations confirmed that Polish companies are ready to enter the offshore market but require support in developing competencies and gaining access to financing.
The initiative is built on two pillars:
Tailored Financial Instruments – ARP S.A. provides companies interested in joining offshore supply chains with a package of flexible financial products, including: investment loans, including loans backed by the InvestEU guarantee, development loans supporting projects financed through EU grants, leasing solutions. These instruments can be combined flexibly to finance investments required for the execution of offshore contracts. In addition, companies carrying out such projects within special economic zones managed by ARP may benefit from corporate income tax exemptions of up to 70% of the investment value for up to 15 years.
Competencies and Certifications – Based on recommendations developed together with PARP, Polish companies can access subsidised training programmes listed in the Development Services Database (BUR). These programmes cover eight key competencies required for participation in offshore projects, including: supply chain entry strategies, tendering and bidding processes, contracting, health and safety, quality management, delivery execution, innovation, and workforce development.
Read full announcement (external link)
Originally published on 15 Sep
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.
Port of Helsinki Ltd published its first sustainability report based on the VSME-standard on December 4, 2025. The comprahensive voluntary report covers Port of Helsinki Lts’s operations in 2024. Standardised reporting improves the comparability of the operations of participating companies.
“We have long had ambitious sustainability commitments and targets in place, for example regarding carbon emissions, and have reported on them annually in accordance with our own practices. However, we are now adopting a new way of presenting existing information in accordance with the VSME standard,” says Head of Sustainability & HSEQ Andreas Slotte from the Port of Helsinki.
The Port of Helsinki’s operations are under pressure due to the growing expectations of owners, customers and e.g. ship passengers regarding responsible and sustainable operation. At the same time, legal requirements are also becoming stricter.
Read full announcement (external link)
Originally published on 4 Dec
Port of Luleå now completes first phase of new land infrastructure – a major investment to handle increased traffic and cargo volumes. – We are meeting our customers’ needs for flexible and sustainable transport solutions, says Anders Dahl, CEO of Port of Luleå.
In May, work began to increase capacity and modernise Port of Luleå’s railway facility. It stretches from the Swedish Transport Administration’s tracks, located a few kilometers from the port, to the connection to Viktoriahamnen. At the terminal area, one track has now become three to handle larger cargo volumes and meet customer demands. This means the railway is ready to operate with axle loads of 32.5 tonnes – a unique capacity in Sweden.
– More and heavier trains can operate on our railway. The work we have done is a major and important part of the port’s infrastructure investments. We are now ready to receive larger cargo volumes, says Anders Dahl, CEO of Port of Luleå.
Read full announcement (external link)
Originally published on 4 Dec
The Fassmer Group is expanding its production capacities and establishing a new site in Stralsund. The company has leased facilities on the premises of the Volkswerft from the Hanseatic City of Stralsund. Operations are scheduled to begin in early 2026 with the construction of the new fisheries research vessel WALTHER HERWIG.
By setting up operations in Stralsund, Fassmer is strengthening its presence on the Baltic Sea while revitalizing the historic Volkswerft site. The region will regain an active maritime industry location – creating prospects for employment, value creation and regional cooperation.
Fassmer’s move into Stralsund marks the beginning of a strategic expansion. It reduces dependence on foreign supply chains, retains expertise within the country and contributes to the Federal Government’s security policy resilience.
Read full announcement (external link)
Originally published on 4 Dec
Vok Bikes and the Refactory of Renault Group announce new production agreement at the Flins plant to mass-produce Vok’s latest generation of four-wheeled e-cargo vehicles. Production of Vok’s bikes at Renault Group’s flagship hub for the circular economy will begin in the first quarter of 2026.
The new production line near Paris, France, enables Vok Bikes to scale production closer to key Western European markets, including the UK, France, and the Benelux region. This will reduce lead times, lower transport emissions, and speed up deployment for rapidly growing delivery fleets across London, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Rome, and other major urban centres.
Vok Bikes has created a new vehicle category where modified consumer e-bikes previously dominated. Built from the ground up for commercial use, Vok’s automotive-grade e-cargo vehicles offer a superior riding experience, stability, durability, and large cargo space. They are a reliable and scalable alternative to vans for large courier and logistics firms, as well as an ever-widening range of small businesses, including bakeries, cleaning services, gardeners, handymen, hotels, and campuses.
Read full announcement (external link)
Originally published on 4 Dec
The Estonian timber industry is getting more and more world-class companies on board, thanks to its sustainable forestry practices, strategic location, and strong infrastructure. This week, Ingka Investments, IKEA Group’s investment arm, has secured approval to purchase 153,000 hectares of Baltic forest land for €720M, reports ERR.
The Estonian Competition Authority has approved the acquisition of forest assets from Swedish-owned Södra Forest Estonia, which encompasses 18,000 hectares in Estonia and 135,000 hectares in Latvia.
The transaction is described as a strategic move by IKEA to strengthen control over its wood supply chain, while also committing to regional value creation. Tauno Kusma, forestland country manager at Ingka Investments Estonia, said the company aims to increase the proportion of wood processed locally to strengthen the Baltic forestry value chain.
Read full announcement (external link)
Originally published on 4 Dec
Stillstrom by Maersk and Port of Roenne have initiated a joint white paper to explore how Energy Island Bornholm could serve as a blueprint for integrating offshore wind energy with maritime electrification.
The new study, Energy Island Bornholm Powering Maritime Electrification, examines how renewable power production and future grid capacity can support charging solutions for electric ferries, cargo vessels and offshore service vessels – important steps to help shipowners invest in battery-powered fleets and advance the decarbonisation of European transport beyond road electrification.
Conventional cargo vessels passing Bornholm consume considerable amounts of fossil fuel every year. As battery technology continues to mature, battery-driven vessels are becoming increasingly viable. Stillstrom by Maersk, a marine technology leader delivering offshore power and charging solutions estimates that electrifying this segment would require around 17 TWh of new electricity consumption charging the battery-powered vessels replacing annually – in the range of – 3 million MT of marine gas oil (MGO) and roughly save €2 billion in oil imports.
Read full announcement (external link)
Originally published on 2 Dec
The Port of Oulu is preparing for significant green transition investments that will strengthen the region’s position as a hub for sustainable energy production and synthetic fuels.
The port’s updated master plan outlines developments through 2040, with the most notable changes driven by the emerging hydrogen economy. New port areas in Oritkari and the existing Vihreäsaari site will be zoned for chemical industry use. Key infrastructure upgrades include 400 kV substations and new quays to support future operations.
Earlier this year, French energy company Verso Energy secured a plot in Oritkari for a new plant dedicated to hydrogen and synthetic fuel production. The Port of Oulu’s TEN-T core network status and strong logistical connections were decisive factors in attracting the investment.
Read full announcement (external link)
Originally published on 3 Dec
As the heaviest-emitting sectors of industry aim for lower carbon footprints, attention is increasingly turning to the hydrogen economy. Northern Power 2026, taking place in Oulu this February, brings together the companies and experts building practical pathways toward carbon-neutral steel, aviation, and shipping.
Nordic Hydrogen Week gathers hydrogen technology users and developers in Oulu from 10–12 February 2026. The three-day programme, examining the hydrogen economy from multiple angles, culminates in the Northern Power Business Forum at Oulu Music Centre, where the entire hydrogen value chain comes together to develop actionable pathways toward decarbonization.
This year, Northern Power’s programme focuses particularly on the off-takers of hydrogen in the steel industry, maritime sector, and aviation – all themes that hold unique opportunities from a Finnish perspective.
Read full announcement (external link)
Originally published on 3 Dec
A “Kongsberg NanoAvionics” small satellite, “IHI-SAT2”, designed for global forest monitoring and the advancement of green credit initiatives, has successfully reached Earth’s orbit. The satellite was launched into space on 28 November from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, as part of the SpaceX “Transporter-15” mission. Shortly after separating from the rocket’s second stage, the “NanoAvionics” mission control centre in Vilnius established a stable two-way communication link with “IHI-SAT2”, confirming its successful operation.
The satellite was manufactured on behalf of Japan’s “IHI Corporation” and “IHI Aerospace Co., Ltd.” and is part of the “NeXT FOREST” programme, undertaken by “IHI” in collaboration with “Sumitomo Forestry Company Limited”. Its onboard hyperspectral camera captures imagery across an exceptionally wide range of the electromagnetic spectrum, allowing precise identification of plant species, analysis of forest condition changes, and detection of stress or disease indicators. Such data provide invaluable insights for sustainable forestry practices and the development of environmental financial mechanisms.
It is particularly encouraging that “IHI-SAT2” was fully assembled and tested in Lithuania – at the “NanoAvionics” facility in Vilnius, from which the entire mission is also being coordinated. This marks the eleventh satellite launched by the company into space this year. Since commencing operations in 2014, “NanoAvionics” has already deployed more than fifty satellites into orbit, supporting climate monitoring, science, communications, and industrial projects worldwide.
Read full announcement (external link)
Originally published on 3 Dec
Tallinn Airport is embarking on the largest development project in its history, expanding the passenger terminal to accommodate future growth. By 2030, the airport expects to serve nearly 5 million passengers a year — a volume that exceeds the capacity of the current terminal. The terminal expansion is divided into five stages to allow construction in different parts of the building at different times, with works continuing until 2030.
The existing terminal was designed to serve 2.8 million passengers per year, yet today more than 3.5 million people already pass through Tallinn Airport annually. By 2030, the number is projected to reach nearly 5 million. The total estimated cost of the development project is 75 million euros, making it the largest investment in the airport’s history. The exact cost will be determined after all procurement processes have been completed. “Most of the design work has now been finalised. Construction of the first phase inside the terminal has already begun, and the next major construction tender will be announced in mid-December with estimated cost of 50 million auros,” said Riivo Tuvike, Chairman of the Management Board of Tallinn Airport.
“This expansion provides a foundation for future developments, which is why we designed the new volumes to integrate naturally with the existing terminal’s architecture,” explained architect Jaan Kuusemets from Dagopen. “The northern extension and smaller additions continue the terminal’s parapet line and will eventually be tied together with an elegant ribbon façade. The roof shape, overall massing and height are derived from the proportions of the historical terminal, reinterpreted in a contemporary architectural language to create a balanced and context-sensitive composition.”
Read full announcement (external link)
Originally published on 3 Dec