THURSDAY 19.12.2024

The programme of the Maritime Business Intelligence Weeks 2025, #MBIW2025 has ben published.

We will talk about means of enhancing profitability, increasing customer experience, optimising operations, and how to really become carbon neutral and not just to talk about it. Main themes of business intelligence and intelligent business in Maritime and Logistics.

SaFocus Intelligence Hunt project talent team visited the Inmarsat, a Viasat Company, HQ in London.

The data analyst students were invited to join a workshop

Inmarsat'a annual Future of Maritime Safety report seeks to open up a conversation around ship casualties and near-misses to enable greater understanding of the root causes and frequency of incidents. 

SeaFocus invites Start-Ups and Talents, university students or student teams into a competition focusing on harnessing technology for environmentally sustainable future in maritime and logistics.

The theme of the competition is “Green Transition with New Technologies including AI and Machine Learning”, and it is organized as a part of the Maritime Business Intelligence Weeks 2025, MBIW2025 programme.

The start-up companies and students / student teams are welcomed to apply as a candidate! 

This event is organized in collaboration with the World Trade Centre Turku,  the Finnish Port Operators Association and   the Finnish Waterway Association

Ulla Keino, the CEO of SeaFocus participated the 14th Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference.

This two-day regional annual event that brought together 2,200 participants from more than 30 countries, including senior executives from renowned overseas and mainland Chinese companies.

Ulla Keino from SeaFocus participated ALMAC2024, part of the Hong Kong Maritime Week 2024, another high substance panel of Green Energy Forum, Energy Transition towards Net Zero Emissions. The panelists discussed the corporate disclosures, measuring, recording and reporting the progress of decarbonisation, incentives and those missing, availability of biomass, energy storage, the global energy balance and mix, electrification, renewable energy, new technologies and the carbon capture. Emphasis on working together for the brighter future was highlighted and the importance of understanding which natural resources exist nearby not to transport energy from far. 

SeaFocus was a supporting organisation of ALMAC2024.

Ulla Keino from SeaFocus participated the London Ship Finance Forum. 

The discussion was about Does shipping now have the environment to finance the decarbonisation transition? and How does shipping and maritime win the battle for capital allocation within banks?

We had an insightful session on the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), which mandates that organizations disclose relevant sustainability information to enhance transparency and accountability. 

As sustainability reporting becomes increasingly vital, understanding CSRD requirements is essential for compliance and strategic success. Our experts shared valuable insights and best practices, along with real-world examples to help you navigate this evolving landscape. 

"The Intelligent Hunt project, in which Fintraffic VTS was a proud partner, was a remarkable experience. Collaborating with a talented global team of students brought fresh, innovative perspectives to our field. The students were guided by experienced senior mentors whose expertise and insights significantly enriched the project," says Olli Soininen, Fintraffic.

The case assignment was about "Improving the Usage of Fairway Data for Different Users"

We are happy to welcome Gunnar Mansfeld to our Senior Advisor Pool. 

 Gunnar has over 30 years international experience from China, Vietnam, US among other. Gunnar has held several C-level and board positions with blue chip MNC's as well as Family owned and operated companies in Marine industry, Fisheries, heavy machinery, natural resources, and FMCG industries in China, India, across Asia, US, Oceania, Russia, and Europe.

Gunnar is an expert in building global business leaders through organic growth, cross border mergers and acquisitions as well as strategic alliances and JV's. 

SeaFocus participated the stakeholder meeting on maritime regulation organized by the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom . Current maritime regulatory projects and regulatory issues were thoroughly discussed at the event.

Sanna Sonninen, the Maritime Dirctor at Traficom opened the meeting

New confirmation in the programme of the Maritime Business Intelligence Weeks 2025 in April.

Green Transition with New Technologies including AI and Machine Learning - COMPETITION for start-ups and university talents

In collaboration with the World Trade Center Turku

New confirmation in the programme of the Maritime Business Intelligence Weeks 2025 in April.

Visit to the Aker Arctic Ice Laboratory in the Port of Vuosaari, Helsinki (@copyright) 

SeaFocus Newsletter October 2024

Legally Speaking Breakfast Hybrid Event 12.11.2024 on CSRD Reporting in Maritime and Logistics

SeaFocus as a Supporting Organisation for the Asian Logistics Maritime and Aviation Conference 2024, ALMAC2024

Maritime Business Intelligence Weeks 2025

The CSRD is an EU regulation that mandates large companies to report on their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. It expands existing sustainability reporting requirements to improve transparency and accountability. The CSRD aims to help investors and stakeholders assess companies' sustainability impacts, risks and opportunities more effectively.

Today we visited the Fortress of Suomenlinna, the island close to Helsinki. This place might be the stage for our coming activities. Nice trip on a ferry and short walk around the island and checking some premises.

JOHANNA VÄÄNÄNEN has joined the Group of Senior Advisors at SeaFocus.

She is a specialist in Business Transformation. She has several years of experience in Program Management, Change Management and Transformation both in Finland and abroad. She has a strong background in Business Process Outsourcing and Shared Services (Finance and Accounting & HR), along with experience in Facilitation, Training, Management Coaching, and implementing Management Systems.

SeaFocus together with Rödl & Partner and Maritime Safety and Security Alliances held a breakfast seminar / webinar on "Modern Cyber World - Risks, Resilience and Opportunities". We discussed about the critical topics of securing business against cyber risks, emphasizing data security breaches and giving practical examples of threats & preventive measures.

The next breakfast seminar / webinar will take place November 12th and the tehme is "CSRD Reporting in Maritime Logistics"

SeaFocus has been commissioned to carry out a study on the effects of offshore wind farms on the Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) in the Sea of Bothnia and the Bay of Bothnia. 

Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) Development for the Water Areas of the Sea of Bothnia and the Bay of Bothnia Offshore Wind Farms

The SeaFocus project team for Traficom case assignment is Senior Vice President, Safety and Security, SeaFocus Markku Mylly as the main expert. The team working with him: Master Mariner Eslam Gad Badry, MSc in Maritime Affairs (specializing in Maritime Safety and Environmental Administration), World Maritime University, Hollie Black, PhD Student (Naval Architecture, Ocean and Marine Engineering) Strathclyde University, Master Mariner and professional technical advisor Lydia Ferrad, World Maritime University and, Master Mariner student Nooa Hirvonen from Satakunta University of Applied Sciences. Nooa Hirvonen will parallelly write his master’s thesis on the same topic. Quality assurance of the final report will be done by MSc.(Supply Chain Management) student Joni Satta under supervision of the CEO, Head of Consulting, SeaFocus Ulla Keino, as the Head of PMO in the project and at SeaFocus.

Planning and working on the programme of the upcoming events and projects.

We have enjoyed the summer vacation. Hope you have too. We are now back in business with great plans ahead.

10.9. Legally Speaking hybrid breakfast seminar "Modern Cyber World"

In the next "Legally Speaking" hybrid breakfast seminar September 10th, 2024, we will focus on the global maritime Industry, where is it being hit, how and by whom as similar cyber threat actors try to harm every industry.

Our aim is to reinforce why you need to step up and secure a deeper understanding, why it is vital to report and share incidents and finally to ensure you and your colleagues are cyber resilient, to protect your jobs and your shareholders.

SeaFocus Intelligence Hunt Show

SeaFocus Summit takes place in October 9-10th in Vaasa. The theme of the Summiit is Geopolitical Challenges and the Impact on Maritime Trade.

Check the SeaFocus Newsletter from June and learn what we are up to and the about latest activities and our newest partners.

SeaFocus was the producer of the Navigate 2024 Maritime, Shipping and Shipbuilding Trade Fair programme and all the Side Events. 

The theme of the conference was Cargo, Cruise and Crew – Economic Outlook. 

Intelligence Hunt is a concept which brings together advanced companies and young talents. We have already several success stories as a result of the projects conducted. 

The next bigger event we will organise is the SeaFocus Summit, which will take place in October 9-10. in Vaasa, Finland. The planning has been started and programme is under work. Registration has been opened, so looking forward to seeing you! 

We at the SeaFocus thank everyone visiting the Navigate 2024 Maritime Trade Fair and our stand. We had really fruitful and interesting conversations. Stay tuned and learn about our next activities. 

The Navigate conference gathered many specialists to discuss the current themes related to the maritime industry. We discussed themes like Freight Market and the Green Transition, ETS and Our Future, Sustainable Maritime, Passenger Business and Shipbuilding, Container Shipping Market Insights, Off-Shore Wind Power - Opportunities to Different Players and RoPax and Ferry Market Outlook

The Best Party in Town get to gether for exhibitors, trade fair guests and visitors was organised by SeaFocus on Wednesday evening. We are the Future - Navigate Night Live show with rich and luscious buffet  by Kulhuan Paakari, live music, dancing and networking with new business opportunities. The party was held in a beautiful VPK House in Turku Centre. 

Navigate 2024 Conference kicked-off with opening words by Ulla Keino, the CEO fo SeaFocus. SeaFocus was the producer of the Navigate Conference programme. The theme of the conference was "Cargo, Cruise and Crew - Economic Outlook". We had about 40 guest speakers during these two conference days on stage. 

Pre-Navigate Dinner by SeaFocus took place.  The dinner started with a VIP Cocktail Reception on board Frigate The Swan of Finland with welcome speech by Ulla Teräs, CEO, Forum Marinum. After that we enjoyed a lovely three course dinner at the Restaurant Göran with about 80 participants. The main event sponsor was the Port of Turku. 

SeaFocus Annual Executive Meeting - SFAM - took place in the Forum Marinum. SeaFocus Partners gathered to discuss about the "Strategic Routeing – Alternatives to Ensure Resilience, Sustainability and Profitability Under All Circumstances". These meetings are held obeying the Chatham House rule.

Preparation day in Turku, Finland. Today Ulla Keino and Heli Koukkula-Teixeira visited the Forum Marinum and VPK House Turku in order to prepare everything for the upcoming events in conjunction with Navigate 2024 to be held in Turku 15.-16.5.

SeaFocus and Ahola Transport Continue Their Partnership for 2024.

"We at Ahola Group see cooperation as a special strength. We believe that by developing together, we can achieve better results and, through genuine dialogue, solve even the biggest challenges. I am looking forward to our annual meeting", sums up Ida Saavalainen, CEO of Ahola Group.

At SeaFocus we produce high quality business networking events, work with talent acquisition and projects engaging the next generation. We help our Partners in finding new suppliers and customers. We work as advisors for them in various business development needs and help them to expand their business to new regions or service areas.

The next "Legally Speaking" breakfast networking seminar organised in cooperation with law firm Rödl & Partner and Maritime Safety and Security Alliance takes place May 21st, 2024 at 9.00-10.30. This seminar is held in hybrid mode, so you can join online or by coming to the Rödl & Partner Helsinki office. 

Cyber Security as a Risk Management Tool 21.5.2024 and with Nora Haapala, Rödl & Partner and Mark Sutcliffe, Maritime Safety and Security Alliance and guest speakers.

Wasaline has been awarded the Sustainable Travel Finland (STF) label. Tourist companies that have received the label have committed to work for a more sustainable tourism. Each company has met a common set of criteria and made an action plan for sustainable tourism and participated in joint trainings. 

For the STF label, the company must also have a quality system in place. Wasaline was awarded the environmental system certificate ISO 14001 and the quality system 9001 at the beginning of the year. 

Happy to introduce our new Junior Consultant, Duong Mai. She is a final-year bachelor’s student in International Business at Aalto University, Finland. She has developed a strong data analysis skillset and integrated it with her background in ESG, finance, and communications. With the data in hand and storytelling visuals, she strives to craft real-world business solutions toward sustainable development.”

Partnership collaboration continues also with the Port of Turku. 

The Port of Turku has been working to reduce its environmental impact for many years. The port has joined the Turku climate team and is committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2029.The port is investing in renewable energy and the electrification of its operations and has changed its vehicle fleet to electric vans and work machines. 

We are happy to announce that we have agreed on partnership collaboration with Finferries - Suomen Lauttaliikenne, which is a state-owned operator of ferry services in Finland. 

Finferries is actively renewing its fleet and investing in latest marine technology, which enables environmentally friendly operation. Last year Finferries introduced two newbuildings on its routes, the battery-hybrid cable ferry L-317

SeaFocus international maritime and logistics business platform and the Maritime Museum Forum Marinum have entered into a partnership. The collaboration will be evident in May 2024 in Turku, both at the Navigate 2024 trade fair and on the premises of Forum Marinum.

SeaFocus welcomes Captain Niclas Seligson to join our senior advisor pool and as a mentor with Markku Mylly for his first Intelligence Hunt project. The project is the Future Maritime Safety Report, newest edition, assigned by Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat Company.

After 30 years of professional experience in shipping, my interest in developing shipping in all areas has further strengthened. With SeaFocus International,  I will get to turn challenges the maritime and transport industry is facing, into opportunities." Says Niclas Seligson, Senior Advisor, SeaFocus.

.The Port of Helsinki continues partnership with SeaFocus. 

Ville Haapasaari, CEO of Port of Helsinki states: "Our work with SeaFocus has brought us concrete results as this year we started the new digital smart gate system project implementation to our Vuosaari harbour. In developing this system we had great help from the SeaFocus facilitated Intelligence Hunt student team mentored by SeaFocus Senior Advisor Frank Kho”.

SeaFocus is a co-producer of Navigate 2024 conference programme. The large number of international high level speakers with local professionals will again bring the audience the latest insights. SeaFocus' interest to act as the programme designer is in introducing new customers and suppliers to each other, in providing positive business environment to initiate new projects and collaboration, and in improving the maritime and logistics industries image in general to the wider audience and especially to the next generation.

Tallink Silja and Seafocus Continue Dialogue for the Benefit of the Whole Maritime Industry.

Building more collaboration between all maritime business is the only way to achieve all goals set for our business. I’m very pleased to continue partnership with SeaFocus. Together we are stronger”, says Margus Schults, CEO of Tallink Silja and Group CFO and Member of the Management Board of Tallink Grupp.

We had our first "Legally Speaking" hybrid event this year with Rödl & Partner. 

he theme was "European Hydrogen & Alternative Fuel Strategies" and we had Kai Imolauer from Rödl & Partner GmbH and Ted Bergman from Elomatic as the expert speakers. Very current topic and the discussion was vivid with the participants online and on the spot.

It is really great to have Anne Engel joining as a SeaFocus Expert. She has specialised in creatively renewing cooperation between different stakeholders, navigating the challenges of international sales and marketing, developing innovative business models and demand-supply chain management projects and proactively driving initiatives that fit the requirements of constantly evolving digitalization and sustainable development goals. 

In the first "Legally Speaking" breakfast networking seminar by SeaFocus and law firm Rödl & Partner we will discuss about "European Hydrogen & Alternative Fuels´ Strategies".

We have two experts Kai Imolauer, Partner, Economic Engineering from Rödl & Partner GmbH and Ted Bergman, Vice President, Offshore Energy Business from Elomatic giving us the insights on the topic. They both have a wide experience on energy sector. 

Great news! Wasaline Continues Partnership with Seafocus. 

”We are happy to continue our partnership with SeaFocus. Each year we have deepened the cooperation, and this year with the main conference taking place on Aurora Botnia makes it even more special. The cooperation goes both ways and we appreciate the good work SeaFocus is doing for the marine industry”, says Peter Ståhlberg, CEO of Wasaline.

SeaFocus has signed a partnership agreement with Varamar Shipping Company.

Varamar is well known as a carrier dealing with breakbulk, heavy & oversized, and dry-bulk cargo. For over a decade, we have developed transport solutions for dismantled plants, factories, wind turbines, bridges, vehicles and even stadiums. We have developed our own methods based on in-house competences and provide a strong set-up for worldwide shipments.

We are proud to present our newest Associate Partner Maritime Safety and Security Alliance. The MSSA is a not-for-profit, Community Interest Company, established to promote information sharing to help maritime companies protect their people and assets. Through our Alliances, we provide bespoke online platforms for security officers to collaborate and counter maritime crime.

The Forum Marinum Maritime Centre is a lively and versatile centre for maritime activities, comprising a National specialist museum for Maritime History, and the Finnish Navy Museum.

SeaFocus has started collaboration with the Forum Marinum forming an Associate Partnership.

Legally Speaking Hybrid Event 6.2.2024 8.30-10.00 EET.

In Focus: European Hydrogen & Alternative Fuel Strategies. Breakfast priority for SeaFocus Partners first come first serve, hybrid for wider audience.

Application for a free of charge ticket to the event for students/recently graduated.

In addition to the application we expect you to send us a one minute video, telling 

• Why would you like to work in the maritime industry?
• Where, in which kind of a company you would like to see yourself working in 2035?
• What is your future dream position / profession?

All application will be evaluated and handled confidentially. Submit your application by the end of February 2024. 

Here we go again! 

Looking very much forward continuing our fruitful collaboration and what this year will bring to all of us and 

It is time to turn a new page in the SeaFocus LogBook. What an amazing year it was and thanks to you - our partners, customers and followers. We wish you all a Prosperous New Year 2024!