photo: ARI MONONEN
”The project has received quite a
lot of publicity and it has consequently
attracted plenty of participants from all
sectors of the maritime cluster,” she notes.
”It is a good thing that the City of
Helsinki has been active in boosting the
MERIT project and thereby combining the
efforts of numerous national experts on
maritime issues. MERIT has now become
a nationwide industrial project.”
”The next phase is to develop the
’Sea of Intelligence’ – that is, to figure out
how ICT technologies could be put to better use to benefit seafaring and the maritime industries.”
She expects that new rules and regulations may be needed before ICT technologies can be utilised to their full extent
in shipping.
”There is no doubt that new technol-
”New technology could help to prevent accidents at sea,” Merja Salmi-Lindgren says.
ogy could help to prevent accidents at sea.
With high-tech applications, new safety
W
systems for ships can be developed and
ithin the Finnish maritime cluster,
subjects of high interest for the young gen-
also tested better than previously, in order
the general consensus is that the
eration. Consequently, MERIT may lead to
to avoid the faults that often are inherent
MERIT project has given an excellent boost
new job opportunities in marine industries
in newly launched systems and software.”
to the utilisation of digital applications in
for young ICT graduates.”
the maritime industries.
”Furthermore, maritime safety sys-
The Finnish maritime industry is cur-
tems can now be made more user-friendly
”MERIT has also highlighted the fact
rently suffering from a lack of knowledgea-
than in earlier years. They can also help to
that in the field of information systems,
ble new personnel. Vigorous professionals
reduce harmful emissions to the environ-
the marine cluster has been a versatile
with ICT diplomas and the right know-how
ment and to cut down energy consump-
operator and indeed one of the forerun-
would stand in good stead.
tion aboard ships.”
retary General for Finnish Marine Industries
A NATIONWIDE PROJECT
be done better with modern ICT know-
(Meriteollisuus ry).
According to Salmi-Lindgren, the Finnish
how. To speed up new applications, pub-
Marine Industries expect a lot from the
lic funding has a crucial role,” Salmi-Lind-
MERIT project.
gren emphasises.
”There are a lot of things that can
ners,” says Ms. Merja Salmi-Lindgren, Sec-
”Another good thing is that information and communication technologies are
INNOVATION AND COOPERATION
“
The applications that up
to now have shown up
in the maritime industries have
been installed aboard passenger
ships rather than cargo vessels.
In the next phase, tangible new projects
relating to ICT and the marine industry will
be launched by numerous companies.
”This in turn will lead to increasing
cooperation. With eager innovation and
a cooperative spirit, results are bound to
emerge. Also, companies will begin to see
and understand the possibilities that are
within reach,” says Salmi-Lindgren.
In her view, the main possibilities could be found in the fields of maritime safety, operationality of systems and
equipment, and increased efficiency.
”All these would lead to improve-
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