ments in the competitiveness of the entire
interest in and knowledge and apprecia-
the maritime industries have been installed
Finnish ICT sector, and not just within the
tion on the maritime sectors. The activities
aboard passenger ships rather than cargo
maritime industries.”
of the association cover the entire country.
vessels.
”New markets could be found for
Mr. Mikko Niini, Chairman of the
”However, the new ICT systems are
the applications of the ICT development
Finnish Maritime Association and Board
gradually gaining headway also in the ser-
companies. This could happen in a time
member in two Finnish shipping com-
vices and documentation of cargo ship-
frame of the next few years,” she expects.
panies, ESL Shipping and Navidom Ltd.,
ping industries. It is great that the City of
”After small achievements, bigger
notes that digitalisation is now in fash-
Helsinki has particularly promoted the ser-
ones will follow. Right now, we should
ion in all fields of business, with the aim
vices of the marine industries and worked
create a more comprehensive network of
of being able to utilise huge ’Big Data’
for the creation of a hub of maritime ser-
cooperation for the maritime cluster, and
types of data banks for promoting busi-
vices in the Helsinki region. This is an idea
keep it in good shape.”
ness and efficiency.
that is taking things in the right direction.”
”In comparison with other industries,
”The Ministry of Employment and
PLENTY OF POTENTIAL
ICT systems have so far not been used to
the Economy has funded the MERIT pro-
FOR NEW TECHNOLOGY
their full extent in the marine industry.
ject for a limited period of time. A lot will
Finnish Maritime Association – in F innish
However, there is plenty of potential for
depend on how quickly the companies will
’Meriliitto’ – is a maritime co-operation
the utilisation of new information tech-
launch new projects of their own. At the
forum that enhances the importance to
nology,” Niini says.
very least, the MERIT project is a good cat-
the nation of shipping and other maritime
He also points out that the applica-
activities, and its goal is to enhance the
tions that up to now have shown up in
alyst basis for further development,” Niini
sums up. n
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