Maritime

Finland’s maritime cluster combines economic strength, sustainability, and innovation, making it a driver of national growth. Employing 50,000 people and generating over €17 billion annually, the sector is poised to lead as global maritime markets expand. Its reach spans shipbuilding, renewable energy, and port operations, underpinned by collaboration across sectors.

During the coldest winters, all Finnish ports can freeze and have frozen. Therefore it is no surprise that Finnish companies have designed roughly 80% of the world’s icebreakers, with around 60% of them built in Finnish shipyards. Finland’s NATO membership opens up new opportunities for international collaboration on icebreakers and other specialized vessels, boosting the industry.

Finland is a country of thousands of lakes – and hundreds of thousands of islands. Ferries play a crucial role in the transport system, connecting islands to the mainland, and in the future, many will be autonomous. The first autonomous ferry has already been tested, and such systems are gradually being introduced across the rest of the industry.

Finland is leading the transition to low-emission shipping, with LNG-powered ships, renewable biogas ferries, and hybrid-electric vessels already in operation. Innovations like rotor sails and the VG EcoCoaster improve energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact. Finnish shipyards and technology companies play a central role in these developments. Research into fuel cells and other zero-emission technologies aims to further lower global maritime CO₂ emissions by 2030.