BackNautical Mail – PA Ship Newsletter
O-HOY and Welcome Dear Reader,
Enjoy the pleasure of viewing the latest Newsletter by the EU Strategy of the Baltic Sea Region Policy Area for Sustainable Shipping (SHIP)!
PA Ship News
Coordination of the PA Ship is changing. Finnish Transport and Communications Agency will pass over the role of the Policy Area Coordination to Kotka Maritime Research Center Merikotka from 1st of January 2027 onwards. Coordinators from Traficom will pass over all material and knowledge forward to the coordinators at Merikotka. We wish all the best and smooth sails to the new coordinators!
SAVING THE SEA – News from our Projects
Circular Ports has had an active start to autumn! The project has been represented at several events around the Baltic Sea Region, while work continues with all six pilots.
In August, Circular Ports took part in the Europe Forum in Turku with the Harbours of Change: Circular Economy in Baltic Sea Ports session, bringing together perspectives from EUSBSR PA Ship, Port of Turku and Circular Ports pilots on practical circular economy solutions in port environments. Read more about the session and its key takeaways here.
Meanwhile, the project’s six pilots are moving forward, testing different approaches to keeping materials in circulation in port environments. The recently released “This is Circular Ports” video offers a closer look at the project, its pilots and the circular solutions being explored around the Baltic Sea Region.
In September, project partners gathered in Tallinn to share progress and lessons learned from the pilots and set priorities for the months ahead.
With plenty happening across the project, the work now continues towards practical tools and models that can support circular economy solutions in ports. Follow Circular Ports on LinkedIn to stay up to date with the latest news!
The Interreg Baltic Sea Region project H2-Derivatives@BalticSeaPorts has entered an important phase of testing and validation, bringing its practical solutions for hydrogen-derived fuels closer to application in the BSR.
Project partners and associated stakeholders are testing and refining the deliverables, with recent activities addressing green fuel production potential in Northern Sweden, a techno-economic analysis model for related investments, green methanol bunkering vessel specifications, alternative-fuel regulations and safe bunkering procedures, as well as communication with port residents.
It has also published a new project video, “Getting ready for green fuels: The H2Deri@BSP Journey”, presenting the challenges, solutions, and transnational cooperation behind the project. Click here to access the video under the News & Events section.
Interested stakeholders are invited to contribute to the ongoing testing and refinement of the deliverables until early 2027 by contacting the lead partner at sudhakar@hafen-hamburg.de .
Save the Date – Join the ACWALIFE and CargoRes webinar to discover the practical solutions for reducing cargo residues in the Baltic Sea region!
11.11.2026 10-12
During ship loading and unloading, residues of materials such as fertilisers, grain, feed and coal can spread into the environment. When they enter the sea, these residues can contribute to eutrophication and introduce harmful substances, including heavy metals. Due to environmental conditions, the Baltic Sea is especially vulnerable to issues caused by cargo residues.
Careful cargo handling, clean loading areas and technical solutions can help prevent these emissions. The joint CargoRes and ACWA LIFE webinar on 11 November 2026, 10:00–12:00 will showcase the best practices and newest technologies to reduce cargo losses and the environmental impacts of cargo residues in ports and maritime transport. You are invited to learn from our partners in maritime industries, ports and shipping what kind of practical solutions they have developed and implemented.
Coordinated by Laurea University of Applied Sciences, CargoRes develops solutions to reduce cargo residues in cooperation with ports, port operators and shipping companies. ACWA LIFE works to improve the state of Finland’s waters from source to sea, including collaborating with ports to develop methods that reduce cargo losses and water pollution.
Please register your participation from the link below:
The OpenRisk II final conference, held on 22 September in Kristiansand, Norway, marked a key milestone in the successful conclusion of an international collaboration to strengthen maritime risk management in the Baltic Sea Region. Read more about the event, access the conference presentations, and download the conference report in the project news.
As the project comes to an end in October 2026, now is also a good opportunity to visit the project website and explore the project’s results. You can get a quick overview of the key features of the AISyRisk Baltic, EcoSensitivity and R-Mare Matrix tools through the project animation.
Happy reading!
In case of any questions, comments, ponderings or silly anecdotes, do not hesitate to get in touch – with the next PA Ship Coordinators! 😉
We will take this opportunity to thank you all for your interest in our Policy Area while we at Traficom were steering the Ship.
Yours truly,
Milla & Sami from PA Ship
Policy Area Coordinators
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