Turku–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.
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Originally published on 16 Dec
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The Finland Investor Confidence Barometer 2026 sends a clear message: companies already operating in Finland are ready to grow. According to the survey, 54% of respondents expect their workforce in Finland to increase over the next two years, and 44% plan to raise their R&D investments. Among large foreign-owned companies, the share planning to increase R&D investment rises to 49%.
The results underline the importance of foreign-owned companies to Finland’s economy. Although they account for only around 1% of companies operating in Finland, they generate a much larger economic impact through jobs, exports, value added, tax revenues, and R&D activity.
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Originally published on 12 Mar

Last autumn, SEB participated for the first time in the Riga Business School (RBS) Computer Science and Organizational Technologies software engineering course, where students worked on real industry challenges throughout the semester. The course is led by RBS faculty member Uldis Karlovs-Karlovskis, and student teams develop software solutions based on ideas proposed by companies.
The financial sector is currently undergoing rapid transformation—technology increasingly shapes how customers perceive financial services, how decisions are made, and how companies manage their resources. To not only keep pace with these changes but actively shape them, it is essential for banks to seek new perspectives, experiment, and collaborate with environments where future ideas and talent emerge.
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Originally published on 12 Mar

Saab deepens its collaboration with Poland’s defence industry and has today signed further collaboration agreements with Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) and WB Group.
“Signing these new agreements with both PGZ Group and WB Group marks important new milestones in strengthening collaboration between the Polish and Swedish defence industries. By sharing expertise and scaling up innovation together, we can ensure the development of advanced solutions and capabilities that will contribute to security and stability in Europe and the Baltic Sea region,” says Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab.
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Originally published on 12 Mar

Senior Advisor Trond Waehle from Helse Vest IKT presented the pilot results at the Medanets User Days 2026. Based on the evaluation, the regional board approved the investment in Medanets for clinical use. Helse Vest is currently planning the rollout of the solution across the region and extending the usage to additional features not included in the pilot.
Medanets was piloted with our partner Mesalvo’s EHR solution, which has been in place at Helse Vest since a decade. The pilot utilized Mesalvo’s HealthCentre Cortex technology with Medanets. The piloted scope included mobile Early Warning Score, vital signs and pain assessment using Observation values, and administration of medications. 150 nurses piloted the features for about six months using iPhones and our Next Level iOS app.
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Originally published on 10 Mar

Grid independence means little without the capacity to balance it — and Estonia is now building that capacity with domestic capital. According to the press-release, Estonian companies Diotech OÜ and Transcom AS have begun construction on a 100 MW / 200 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) in Tsirguliina, Valga County.
Dubbed Project Zirgu, it is the largest battery energy storage facility to be developed with entirely Estonian capital, and its first phase is scheduled for completion by March 2027.
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Originally published on 10 Mar

The new passenger terminal in the Port of Turku is taking a major digital leap as a modern passenger and traffic management system is being built for the area. Following a competitive tendering process, the Turku-based Weasel Software Oy has been selected to deliver and implement the system.
The passenger and traffic management solution includes both the management system itself and the related equipment, such as gates, measuring devices and digital signage. In addition to delivery and installation, Weasel Software Oy will also provide maintenance and support services after the system has been commissioned. The solution supports the management of passenger and vehicle traffic in the terminal environment and helps ensure smooth operations both during everyday situations and peak periods.
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Originally published on 11 Mar

Following approval from the Lithuanian Competition Council, Tesonet has completed a €5 million investment in the Finbee group (UAB Holbee). The investment is intended to strengthen the group’s capital base and expand financing volumes for consumers and small businesses in Lithuania and international markets.
The transaction represents a significant vote of confidence in Finbee’s long-term strategy and growth trajectory. The partnership is expected to accelerate the company’s expansion into new markets, enhance customer experience solutions for both borrowers and investors, and support broader marketing initiatives.
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Originally published on 5 Mar

The latest survey data show that public awareness in Latvia about wind park development plans and energy security issues is gradually increasing. For example, 65% of respondents in a survey conducted by Norstat Latvia report that they are at least somewhat informed about the plans to develop offshore wind park in Latvia. At the same time, society increasingly supports a “moderate” development approach – more and more residents believe that Latvia should become an energy-neutral country and produce only as much electricity as it consumes domestically.
A survey commissioned as part of the ELWIND project shows that public awareness of the joint Latvian–Estonian initiative to develop an offshore wind park in the Baltic Sea has increased. This year, 65% of respondents say they are aware of the project (61% last year). Most people have heard about the project but are not familiar with all the details, while only a small share report having a very good understanding of it.
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Originally published on 9 Mar

Building on its mission to deliver meaningful, human‑centered innovation and expand what’s possible with wearable technology, Oura is acquiring Doublepoint. Founded in 2020, Doublepoint is a privately held Helsinki‑based company specializing in AI‑driven biometric and gesture-recognition technology that enables people to control devices with simple, natural movements.
The acquisition will strengthen Oura’s long-term innovation roadmap, supporting future offerings while advancing more intuitive ways for people to interact with technology in their everyday lives.
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Originally published on 9 Mar

In 2025, new and existing investors committed to €431M worth of investment decisions with support from Invest Estonia, marking the highest figure on record.
Investment decisions were concentrated primarily in electronics, chemicals, energy, wood processing, machinery, and metals. Around 40% of the total represents entirely new investments, whilst over 30% relates to reinvestments by foreign-owned companies already operating in Estonia. A further fifth comprises planned acquisitions.
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Originally published on 9 Mar