To Smart Green Ports USA Export Booster Members
We are delighted to share information to everyone on the recent and upcoming activities of the Export Booster in the USA. After the summer vacation in July we have continued to carry out activities at ports and terminals.
On 26 August, Team Finland staff visited the Port of Helsinki in Vuosaari. Our group consisted of about 30 local advisors from trade centers around the world serving the Finnish industries with their business with ports. Vuosaari port has successfully completed ambitious development projects and continues investing on smart port technologies. Business Finland also held a strategy meeting to the global network advisors serving the Finnish port technology exporters.
On 29 August we hosted a virtual meeting and introduction of Finnish industries with intermodal logistics solutions with BNSF, the leading inland port and intermodal terminal operator in the US, located in Dallas region. In the event, 11 Finnish technology companies pitched their solutions to BNSF, who is the first mover in several smart mobility solutions for intermodal operations. BNSF operates 37 terminals in the United States.
On 13 -16 September, Governor Inslee from Washington State with a delegation of about 40 participants including port commissioners and U.S. Navy representatives visited Helsinki region. The delegates visited, among others, Nokia, Finnish Marine Industries and Wartsila headquarters. Wartsila hosted a MoU celebration event between Finland and Washington State and introduced the latest technology innovations. The delegation met with more than 15 Finnish marine & ports companies during their visit. In Washington State, maritime and ports is big business with an annual revenue of over 50 billion USD. The port of Seattle-Tacoma is the 5th largest seaport in the United States. Washington has announced a new One Ocean Accelerator program with two spots reserved for Finnish companies who seek growth in the US market. Read more here: https://maritimeblue.org/one-ocean-accelerator/
Team Finland business delegation to ITS World Congress Los Angeles took place in September 18 – 22, with visits to Port of Los Angeles, SSA Marine, Ports America, Fenix Marine Services, Trapac Terminal and meetings with port and terminal representatives. We visited the most automated terminal in the United States, Long Beach Container Terminal. 9 Finnish companies participated the delegation and in addition there was a strong Finland presence at Nordic+ booth at ITS World Congress. About 40 % of all consumer goods to the United States are imported through Los Angeles and Long Beach ports. The ports and terminals invest in environmental technology, new fuels, electrification, modernization, digitalization and increase of throughput capacity. Press release: https://www.lvm.fi/en/-/finland-represented-at-intelligent-transport-systems-world-congress-in-los-angeles-1832563
There has been strong activity by Finnish industries in participating meetings and delegations! We are continuing to organize physical business delegations to meet with the ports and terminal operators. In addition, we will organize virtual introductory meetings with ports and terminals in order to meet for the first time and prepare for future physical meetings.
With kind regards,
Written by Smart Green Ports USA Export Booster Team
USA: Ulla Lainio, Hartti Suomela
Finland: Henri Nyberg, Kari Hiltunen
Norway: Katja Eriksen
