Posts Tagged ‘Sweden’
Eight Baltic Sea electricity TSOs publish offshore system study to promote coordinated sea basin planning
The electricity Transmission System Operators (TSOs) of eight countries bordering the Baltic Sea today published the first comprehensive regional system study for offshore network infrastructure and offshore wind, marking a significant step toward coordinated sea basin planning in Europe.
The TSOs of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Sweden – organised in the Baltic Offshore Grid Initiative (BOGI) – developed a study that moves from electricity transmission corridors to potential projects for the 2040-time horizon. The results show that the Baltic Sea region can become a clean energy hub, with around 13 GW of new cross-border interconnectors and up to 50 GW of additional offshore wind identified by 2040. These connections include point-to-point links between countries and strategic offshore nodes such as Bornholm, which could serve as future hybrid hubs. The market modelling indicates that these interconnectors would operate with high utilisation throughout the year and significantly reduce system costs, price peaks and CO₂ emissions.
Read full announcement (external link)
Originally published on 22 Jan
Read MoreICEYE to deliver sovereign space-based intelligence capabilities to the Swedish Armed Forces
ICEYE, the global leader in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite operations, and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) have signed a contract to deliver sovereign SAR systems for the Swedish Armed Forces. The multi-million, multi-year agreement will strengthen Sweden’s national intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities and resilience by providing timely, actionable insights in all weather and lighting conditions.
The agreement was signed in Stockholm by Brigadier General Carl-Fredrik Edström, Director of the Air and Space Systems Division, Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and Seppo Aaltonen, VP Nordics & NATO, ICEYE.
Read full announcement (external link)
Originally published on 12 Jan
Read MoreProposing a common defence Sweden’s SocDems call for Nato presence on Gotland
The leaders of Sweden’s Socialdemokraterna are calling for the establishment of a permanent multinational Nato force on the island of Gotland. Their plan, put forward on Sunday during the opening day of Folk och Försvar, an annual security conference, proposes establishing a contingent that could supplement the island’s existing defensive capabilities. They also suggest making the island the home base of an 800‑person amphibious battalion capable of operating throughout the Baltic.
Gotland, given its strategic location in the Baltic, has been a focal point of Sweden’s post-post-Cold War rearmament. Even so, the island remains only lightly defended—the Gotland Regiment, re-established in 2018, comprises only 350 soldiers. Gotland’s home-guard unit reckons it could muster another 500 soldiers in the event of a Russian attack, and the thinking in Stockholm had been that the combined force would be enough to hold any unforeseen Russian invasion in check until reinforcements from elsewhere in Sweden and the rest of Nato could arrive.
But, with Moscow expected to be antagonistic for the foreseeable future, and Washington looking increasingly unwilling help out, that strategy is up for revision. In practice, the military is already preparing for both of these scenarios: in September, Sweden held its first bilateral drill with Poland on Gotland (pictured above).
Politically, Socialdemokraterna are in the opposition, but the proposal aligns with the government’s own position that it would welcome a Nato contingent if the alliance decided to send one. Their hope is that they would do so before the Russians decided to send their own.
(📸 Försvarsmakten)
Read MoreSaab receives ground combat orders from Lithuania
Saab has received orders from Lithuania for the AT4 weapon as well as ammunition for the Carl-Gustaf weapon with a combined order value of SEK 1.3 billion. Deliveries are planned 2027-2029.
The orders are placed within a framework agreement initially signed between Saab and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration, which enables Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia to place orders for Saab’s Carl-Gustaf M4 and ammunition as well as AT4 weapons.
“We look forward to continuing to provide the Lithuanian forces with the reliable, highly effective capabilities of our support weapon AT4 and specialised ammunition for the Carl-Gustaf system. Our solutions give soldiers precision and ease-of-use, enabling them to carry out their missions safely and with confidence, says Görgen Johansson, head of Saab’s business area Dynamics.
Read full announcement (external link)
Originally published on 23 Dec
Read MoreLatvia’s Beneflo admitted to Visa’s VIPE European Innovation Programme
Eight financial technology companies from the Nordic countries have been admitted to the international payment technology company Visa’s European innovation programme, VIPE. Among them is Latvia’s Beneflo, which is developing an employee support solutions platform that simplifies the international allocation of various bonuses and benefits to employees using a Visa card and app.
In addition to Beneflo, the programme has also admitted Enable Banking from Finland, Kardio from Iceland, Juuli from Estonia, Ledyer and Betalo from Sweden, Beep from Italy, and Myver from Denmark.
The VIPE Baltic and Nordic programme is a pilot project–focused collaboration platform that aims to accelerate digital innovation in Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Iceland, and Denmark. During the six-month programme, the startups involved will have the opportunity to develop their business ideas and innovations, implement pilot projects, build partnerships, and engage in networking activities with Visa partners worldwide.
Read full announcement (external link)
Originally published on 18 Dec
Read MoreTurku–Stockholm Green Shipping Corridor among the global front-runners
The Turku–Stockholm Green Shipping Corridor is one of the few routes where ambitious goals have already translated into concrete action. This is highlighted in the newly published Annual Progress Report on Green Shipping Corridors 2025, which tracks the global development of green maritime transport corridors.
In February 2024, the Ports of Turku and Stockholm together with Viking Line signed a cooperation agreement to develop a green maritime corridor between the two cities. The aim is to achieve a fully fossil-free and carbon‑neutral corridor by 2035, making it one of the Green Shipping Corridors defined under the Clydebank Declaration. The route was chosen as a pilot due to its high traffic volumes and its location in an environmentally sensitive archipelago. The cooperation provides a platform for solutions that can progressively reduce emissions and promote sustainable maritime transport.
Of the 84 global initiatives identified in the report, only four have so far reached the so‑called implementation stage, in which emission‑reducing measures are deployed in regular operations. Two of these are located in the Baltic Sea region, including the Turku–Stockholm route, which is regarded as one of the most advanced internationally.
Read full announcement (external link)
Originally published on 16 Dec
Read MoreWaterway transport enables smart transport routes
Large pipes, which will be used in a construction project, have arrived at Frihamnen Port in central Stockholm, from Finland. Taking them by water relieves both road and rail networks, while also being more cost-effective.
Frihamnen’s central location offers customers excellent conditions for this type of logistics solution and is an attractive alternative for transport to and from the Stockholm region.
By using waterways and transporting the goods as close to the final destination as possible, both the road and rail networks are relieved, while the environmental impact is reduced. It is also more cost-effective.
Read full announcement (external link)
Originally published on 10 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.
Read MoreSweden: Pioneer ECAPS gets EIB financing to develop cutting-edge technologies for space and defence
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is lending Swedish aerospace company ECAPS AB €20 million to accelerate the development of high-performance rocket engines and propulsion capabilities. The financing will also support advances in dual-use technologies, which can be deployed for both civilian and defence purposes.
The support by the EIB is through its TechEU initiative and takes the form of venture debt, a type of loan designed for high-growth startups and scaleups that provides additional capital without diluting ownership. The goal is to bolster production of cutting-edge space technologies within the European Union and to enhance EU security.
The financing will contribute to ECAPS’s €47 million plan to scale its proprietary propellant and rocket engines, which are more efficient and cost-effective than traditional technologies. They also offer higher performance and safer handling compared to traditional hazardous solutions.
Read full announcement (external link)
Originally published on 10 Dec
Read MoreCMP wins global sustainability award for cruise terminals in Copenhagen
Copenhagen has been voted winner of the award as World’s Best Cruise Terminal for Sustainability 2025 by World Cruise Awards.
At the fifth World Cruise Awards ceremony on December 6, 2025, Copenhagen was named World’s Best Cruise Terminal for Sustainability 2025. The award is a recognition of CMP’s sustainability agenda, which focuses on several aspects including environmental, social, and economic dimensions.
Over the last years, CMP has eliminated fossil fuels from terminal equipment and reduced emissions in its own operations by 76% during 2020–2024. Since this year, all berths at Langelinie and Oceankaj feature direct connections for wastewater, removing the need for barges and tanker trucks. One of Europe’s largest shore power facilities was inaugurated in June 2025 in Copenhagen, enabling ships to eliminate emissions when at berth. This would not have been possible without the cruise lines’ ambitious commitment to investing in shore power technology and willingness to connect. CMP’s terminals at Nordre Toldbod and Langelinie are located close to the city center, limiting transport needs for guests, and the terminals at Oceankaj will be even better integrated into Copenhagen’s public transport system with the planned extension of the Metro.
Read full announcement (external link)
Originally published on 9 Dec
Read MoreOver 150 cruise ships to call at Ports of Stockholm in 2026
Cruise traffic in Ports of Stockholm continues to increase. In 2026, 157 vessels with more than 300,000 passengers are expected to visit the ports. Cruise ship calls now occur throughout the year, with the majority of passengers coming from the German market.
The list of cruise calls for 2026 has now been published and shows continued positive development for cruise traffic at Ports of Stockholm. Seven ships will make their maiden call and a new cruise line is establishing itself. A total of 157 cruise calls are expected at the ports during the year – an increase compared with both 2025 and 2024. Twenty-one of the calls will be made at the Port of Nynäshamn – the highest number in many years.
“It’s great to see that demand is picking up again in the Baltic Sea and that the number of cruise ships is steadily increasing. Occupancy on board is also high, which means that the number of passengers is rising significantly,” says Stefan Scheja, Marketing Manager Ferries and Cruises at Ports of Stockholm.
Read full announcement (external link)
Originally published on 2 Dec
Read More