LogBook 2025

Continuing our showcase of the bright minds shaping the future of ports, we’re excited to introduce Modern Expeditions - a team from the University of Vaasa and VAMK who brought bold thinking and practical design to the Xanadu Port challenge.
Their concept: An automated green port designed to function as a maritime development hub, a place where innovation, sustainability, and collaboration come together.

We’re proud to share with you our concept video of the Intelligence Hunt with description of what there is for

• research and business development
• marketing
• recruiters and HR

Enjoy! and contact us to join the next edition!

We’re proud to celebrate a special milestone for our Senior Advisor, Dr Rolf Neise, appointed Honorary Professor at ISM International School of Management, Germany.

This appointment is a fitting recognition of Dr. Rolf Neise’s incredible ability to connect the academic and business worlds of logistics. Throughout his career, he’s led global supply chain strategies at major multinationals, published influential research, and generously shared his knowledge with the next generation of professionals.

As part of the Intelligence Hunt Spring 2025, we at Seafocus invited student teams to take on a big challenge: Transform Port Xanadu, a fictional mid-sized port, into a model of innovation, sustainability, and smart logistics.
The imaginary port development case assignment was designed by Poul Woodall.

We had a Studen Team Black Sea Horizons from the Odesa National MAritime University participating the project and they delivered a bold yet practical strategy that completely reimagined how ports can serve people, the planet, and prosperity.

How to successfully lead a M&A transaction by Mikael Laine.

Mikael Laine's presentation was kicked off with a powerful question:

"What truly defines a successful M&A transaction?"

He broke it down simply: for a seller, success is measured by the immediate maximization of value—concrete, monetary targeted value. It's a quick realization of worth, crystallized the moment the deal is inked.

As one of the Key Notes during the 3 weeks series of events during the MBIW2025 - the Maritime Business Intelligence Weeks 2025, we had an opportunity to have a very interesting speech by Piia Karjalainen, the CEO of the Finnish Ports Association.  

The main highlights of her speech at the MBIW2025 Logistics Day April 8th, 2025 held in the Forum Marinum, Turku.

RECAP MBIW2025 Leadership Day 24.4.2025 Suomenlinna, Helsinki

PANEL: "Consolidations and Divestitures: Challenges and Opportunities, Navigating Amid M&A Waves and Start-Up"

At SeaFocus, we believe that progress in the maritime and supply chain sectors begins with open dialogue and smarter use of data.

During our recent Power of Youth Event panel on “Data Mastery for Smarter Decisions” as part of the MBIW2025 with
Tor Anders H. from Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat Company, Shrishti Choudhary,  Head of Data Science Excellence Centre, SeaFocus and Khoa Pham, Junior Consultant & Data Analyst at SeaFocus & Customer Success Trainee, NAPA

Power Day, part of MBIW2025 took place aboard Aurora Botnia with 30 executives and experts discussing the important aspects of future power in maritime and logistics.

One of the keynotes was ABL Group's Associate Director of Maritime Decarbonisation Stefano Scarpa.

His theme was Maritime Decarbonisation Stratetgies, in which he briefed the audience with the MEPC 83.

or the first time, a global carbon pricing mechanism has been introduced. This sends a strong signal to redirect investment towards low-carbon fuels and technologies

We have a great pleasure announcing a new promotion as 23rd April Hollie Black was appointed as the Head of Research and Development at SeaFocus.

Hollie's amazing attitude, curiousity to new things, energy and inspiration, logical and analytical approach to projects and leading teams by motivating them to challenge their comfort zones are some of the many great features of her to highlight.

Navigating Modern Supply Chains: Insights from Industry Leaders -
Reflections from the MBIW2025 Panel Discussion - the panel addressed the role of global turbulence in shaping procurement and logistics strategies—highlighting resilience, agility, and collaboration as vital tools for the future. 

 High-level panel discussion brought together experts across manufacturing, logistics, and port operations to explore the challenges and opportunities in today’s complex supply chains.

"Leading Sustainability Strategies for Maritime, Marine and Logistics in Technology-Driven Investments" as part of the Leadership in Maritime, Marine and Logistics of a three week event series of MBIW2025, Maritime Business Intelligence Weeks 2025.

Several current issues wre tackled and the conference was a timely reminder: the 2050 targets are only part of the picture. Today’s decisions will determine whether the industry thrives or merely survives in the face of accelerating environmental, economic, and geopolitical change.

"Leading Sustainability Strategies for Maritime, Marine and Logistics in Technology-Driven Investments" as part of the Leadership in Maritime, Marine and Logistics of a three week event series of MBIW2025, Maritime Business Intelligence Weeks 2025.

Several current issues wre tackled and the conference was a timely reminder: the 2050 targets are only part of the picture. Today’s decisions will determine whether the industry thrives or merely survives in the face of accelerating environmental, economic, and geopolitical change.

Irene Rosberg, Programme Director of the Blue MBA at Copenhagen Business School, Demark, and Jan Philip Eckmann, Editor of RoPax Magazine, Germany were the two distinguished moderators of the Ledership Day.

Their combined expertise and dynamic facilitation were instrumental in guiding the day's discussions, ensuring a rich exchange of ideas among industry leaders, managing directors and board members in maritime, marine, logistics and supply chain management.​

Leadership in Maritime, Marine and Logistics gathered together the top industry leaders and innovators. This main conference of the whole #MBIW2025 was about exploring the evolving world of global trade and transportation. From M&A strategies to cutting-edge technology and sustainability, discover key challenges and opportunities driving the future of maritime and logistics. 

The day ended with excursions to the Excursion to Aker Arctic Ice Laboratory and ABB Marine and Ports at the Vuosaari.

We visited Aker´s Ice Laboratory and ABB´s production facilities and simulation unit.

Super interesting! The participants were really pleased with the programme.

The Power of Youth was held on board M/S Silja Symphony at the Port of Helsinki. We celebrated the future of shipping, maritime, and logistics by showcasing young professionals' confidence in the industry through inspiring speeches, expert panels, entrepreneurial insights, and innovative projects, offering motivation, valuable perspectives, and a platform to exchange ideas and drive industry growth.

The Future of SeaPax took place at the Rake Hall in the Centre of Helsinki. We discussed about the vital role of sea passenger businesses in regional and national economies. This session dived into the challenges and opportunities for sustainable and profitable growth, drawing insights from air, rail, and inland waterway travel to uncover best practices for the industry's future.

The Future Power day took us to Vaasa were we visited the Wärtsilä Sustainable Technology Hub and after that continued the programme on board M/S Aurora Botnia with a seminar. 

This was about to explore cutting-edge topics like alternative fuels, zero-emission shipping, evolving regulations, with a special focus on supply chain development, infrastructure, and economic considerations. Discover practical strategies to ensure business resilience, profitability, sustainability in a rapidly changing landscape.

Curating Global Business Intelligence with Purpose, Passion and Precision

Read the artcile published in LinkedIn April 5th, 2025 by Ulla Keino, Producer of Maritime Business Intelligence Weeks 2025.

For over two decades, I have had the privilege of curating high-impact events in Europe and Asia, each designed with a singular focus: to create valuable, long-term business relationships and provide strategic insights for professional development of those who participate the events.

Making all this possible has required building a team of like-minded professionals and fostering an exceptional attitude and curiosity in young talents. 

#MBIW2025 Logistics Day was held in the afternoon at the Forum Marinum, Turku. Maritime and logistics leaders gathered to share strategies, enhance efficiency, reduce risks, and tackle global logistics challenges, with insights and networking for navigating regulations, last-mile logistics, and digital transformation.

Thank you to our panellists Johan Elzes, Sinikka Hartonen, Erik Söderholm, Henrik Ramm-Schmidt, Sanna Sonninen, Bogdan Oldakowski, Ulla Tapaninen, Hannu Kallio, Miika Mandell, Tero Kosonen, Toni Reunanen and Heikki Hellsten. Thank you also our guest speakers Piia Karjalainen, Ulla Teräs and Vesa Panalder and the for the keynotes Sanna Sonninen. 

#MBIW2025 Student Teams and Start-Ups "Green Transition with New Way of Thinking" was held in the morning at the WTC Turku. At the Start-Ups category we heard four company pitches by Skanio, Alessandro Pilone, Navalapp Pablo Sopelana, Bout, Teemu Terttunen and Refamo, Vesa Aaltonen. 

The Evaluation Committee: Sinikka Hartonen, One Sea Association, Tapio Karvonen, Business Turku, Lena Ridströn, Triona Group did not have an easy job to choose the winner.

The winner and a new SeaFocus Partner is Refamo Oy. Congratulations!

Thank you also to Henrik Ramm-Schmidt, NauticaAi and Ilkka Rytkölä, Necoleap, Meyer Turku for their presentations.

#MBIW2025 Student Teams and Start-Ups "Green Transition with New Way of Thinking" was held in the morning at the WTC Turku. At the Xanadu Case Assignment we had five student teams competing. Black Sea Horizons from Odesa National Maritime Academy, Ukraine, The Otters, Aalto University and Jyväskylä UAS, Modern Expeditions from University of Vaasa and Vaasa UAS, AD Solutions from University of Turku and University of Vaasa and Sealeo from Singapore Maritime Academy, Ngee Ann Polytechnic and Singapore Polytechnic. 

The Evaluation Committee with Poul Woodall, Marco Muci, Saudi Logistics Academy, Lena Ridström, Triona Group, Harilaos N. Psaraftis, Technical University of Denmark and Ulla Tapaninen, Tallinn University of Technology evaluated the presentation materials, earlier received videos and the performance on stage / online. They were amazed by the high-level of all presentations, so the task was not the simplest one to choose the winner.

The winner team is The Otters. Congratulations.

Step on board M/S Aurora Botnia, a next-generation ferry, which has set new standards for sustainability. With dual-fuel and battery-powered engines, it runs primarily on liquefied natural gas (LNG) while also utilizing biogas, reducing emissions and leading the way in eco-friendly maritime transport.

Gain behind-the-scenes access to Wärtsilä’s Sustainable Technology Hub (STH) – a cutting-edge innovation center driving the future of green shipping.   

Sustainable Technology Hub (STH) fosters innovation, collaboration, and production of green technologies. In this Technology Centre, Wärtsilä turns the decarbonisation vision into reality.   

Generic Business Case Assignment to Student Teams of "Start-ups and Students" to work on  port development and port strategic plan

Intelligence Hunt is a concept where the target is to attract talents to the maritime and logistics industry with real consultancy case assignments. The hype ends in an energy giving event, where business and talents meet.

Our competitions earlier have been different companies' cases of different scopes of studies. In order to measure the teams against each others in the new concept competition of Intelligence Hunt, SeaFocus has decided to design a same generic case assignment to all participating student teams in each edition.

The finalist Student Teams are Black Sea Horizons, AD Solutions, The Otters, Sealeo and Modern Expeditions.

Congratulations to all and Good Luck!

SeaFocus is excited to announce the finalists for the Start-ups category at the Maritime Business Intelligence Weeks 2025 (MBIW2025)! 

The Finalists represent the future of the maritime industry, focusing on sustainability, automation, safety, and digital transformation. 

This prestigious competition brings together innovative solutions from maritime, logistics, and supply chain start-ups, providing them with a platform to showcase their cutting-edge ideas. 

The finalists are: Skanio Oy, Navalapp (Blue Heading Oy), Bout oy and Refamo Oy.

Congratulations to all and Good Luck!

Power of Data in Green Transition - Suomen Viljava - case assignment (Intelligence Hunt project). Suomen Viljava's work on developing the sustainability reporting with Scopes 1, 2 and 3 was a perfect example of how a big state-owned company can support the career development of international talents. 

In this study the team of talents were, Duong Mai from Vietnam, Rommo Shams, from Bangladesh, both studying in Aalto University Master's programme and Joni Satta, a Supply Chain Management Master's student from the Turku School of Economics. The project was lead by Head of Management Consultancy of SeaFocus Ulla Keino and the quality and substance was managed by Senior Advisor, Climate and Environment, Paul Woodall, from SeaFocus.

The British & Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce in Finland ry together with IWF and teh Embassy of India in Helsinki organised an event to celebrate the International Women´s Day.

BC3F invited Ulla Keino to a panel discussion. "Proud to talk on behalf of our Indian and other super talents and to share my life advice to the audience and with the other panelists", says Ula Keino. 

Other panelists were Kalpana Jha, Naadensua Q, Anand Adhiappan and Tzvete Doncheva. 

The work will focus in supply chain management in its widest meaning, covering all parts of the chain and beyond.  This centre will work in the customer service segment of Management Consultancy, lead by CEO, MSc. Tech, MBA Ulla Keino.

The Future Power conference covers the topics of alternative fuels for maritime and logistics, energy efficiency, sustainable supply chains and zero emission shipping, future fuel regulations and policies.

The speeches, panel discussions, and audience interactions will place a strong focus on supply chain and infrastructure development, maritime decarbonization strategies, and macroeconomic and financial considerations.

A premier industry event dedicated to exploring cutting-edge strategies and actionable insights for enhancing operational efficiency and minimizing costly errors in global logistics.

This half-day seminar brings together industry leaders, freight forwarders, shipping companies, agents, and supply chain experts to address key challenges and emerging opportunities in international trade.

Logistics Day offers valuable insights into regulatory navigation, last-mile efficiency, and digital transformation, providing a unique platform to learn and network with industry experts.

So happy to announce about collaboration with FightBack PH Oy and Pekka Hyysalo. "After my serious skiing accident in 2010 I had to choose whether to give up or fight my way back? I decided to fight back. In 2013 I founded FightBack and wanted to help people suffering from head trauma. FightBack has developed into a brand that stands for hope, positive thinking, persistence and not giving up on what’s most important to you", Pekka Hyysalo. He will be joining us at the Power of Youth event 23.4.2025

More speakers joining the #MBIW2025 conferences and seminars. 

The Future of Maritime, Marine & Logistics will be formed spring 2025!
A game-changing new concept, uniting top international speakers to explore innovations in maritime, marine, and logistics in four major port and business cities in Finland!
From sustainability and profitable business to smart technology, we’re shaping the future of global trade and logistics.

Pitching Event for Start-Ups and Competition for Students and Student Teams #MBIW2025 April 8th in Turku "Green Transition with New Technologies".

Meet the Evaluation Committee

Preparations of #MBIW2025 in Turku is developing well. Collaboration in Turku area strengthens as we agreed on collaboration with Business Turku. 

We already collaborate with World Trade Centre Turku.

#MBIW2025 speaker lineup is growing every day. We have already engaged 63 speakers all together. 

Meetings with local companies and organisation in order to prepare for the #MBIW2025 event to be held in Kotka April 15th "Operational Efficiency Attracting Investments".

“Start-Ups and Students” 8.4. in Turku

This event is for Start-Ups to showcase their product and service concept to provide solutions for environmentally sustainable future of maritime and logistics.

We invite the Start-Ups to join this competition to showcase their company and solutions for the maritime and logistics sectors. It’s a unique opportunity to demonstrate your capabilities, gain valuable feedback, and build connections that can accelerate growth. By participating, they can position themselves as pioneers in shaping the future of these industries, unlock new business opportunities, and establish credibility in a highly competitive market.

#MBIW2025, Maritime Business Intelligence Week

is a series of dynamic conference and networking events held in April 2025 spanning multiple cities in Finland. It features speakers from over 25 nationalities across more than 20 countries, offering deep insights into the maritime industry's future. We will talk about means of enhancing profitability, increasing customer experience, optimising operations with new technologies, and turning your business more sustainable.

Future Talents for the Industry

SeaFocus, with this new competition concept is targetting to find new talents to the maritime and logistics industry, to find candidates for recruiting own junior consultants starting as trainees and to promote the extremely segment of start-ups to potential investors or future customers.

By the due date of 2nd January we received 31 applications as student candidates. 

The students come from 11 different countries and from 11 different universities. 

Enroll as a candidate to a segment of students and student teams was closed yesterday. We received many application and now our specialists are screening candidates and will inform about the approvals. 

We will send the approved candidates a challenge January 10, 2025.

Start-ups can apply till January 31, 2025.

We wish you all a Happy and Prosperous New Year 2025!