PLATFORM EDGE
EDITORIAL
2 / 2017
PLATFORM EDGE
Finland wants to create the world’ s first unmanned maritime systems and services – as well as give birth to an efficient autonomous maritime ecosystem by 2025. To support these ambitious goals, a comprehensive project was launched last autumn. The Ministry of Transport and Communications supports the undertaking by examining possible test areas for unmanned vessels and by providing a suitable environment for flexible testing operations. The project involves nearly 60 companies and is included in the Arctic Seas programme of Tekes, the Finnish funding agency for innovation.
Anne Berner, Minister of Transport and Communications, has commented that the promotion of digitalisation and extensive utilisation of automation and information are the driving forces in many Government key projects – and the autonomous maritime venture is a fine example of this. In the maritime sector, the added digital layers can significantly enhance safety, reduce emissions and improve productivity. Minister Berner believes that Finland is especially well equipped to take the global lead in maritime transport and the related automation and information industry – and she may well have a case.
For example, Finland has plenty of agile ICT startups to help out in the development of the paradigm-busting autonomous shipping solutions. The startups thrive through an ecosystem mentality which is also a forte of the Finnish marine industry: the Turku shipyard alone manages a remarkable network of over 500 suppliers.
And the international element is already there. Rolls-Royce, for instance, has been‘ in-country’ for more than half a century – and is presently hard at work planning its remote and autonomous ship technology on the west coast of Finland.
Tekes is committed to financing autonomous marine ecosystem development and boosting new innovations into markets in the coming years. As Finland’ s world-class ICT startup scene is joining forces with the country’ s strong maritime players, the exchange of( hopefully revolutionary) ideas is amplified considerably.
The‘ autonomous seas’ initiative promises to create a common roadmap for reaching autonomous marine operations, thus enabling effective co-operation and coordinated development between industry, research institutes, classification societies and authorities. The roadmap creation and implementation is steered on by a group of leading industry partners. DIMECC acts as the“ ecosystem manager” and is responsible for the achievement of effective co-operation and concrete objectives between the players.
The new initiative is also a prime example of the emerging Platform Economy: once you have a solid foundation, all kinds of good things can come to life.
PUBLISHER PubliCo Oy Pälkäneentie 19 A FI-00510 Helsinki Finland Phone + 358 20 162 2200 info @ publico. com www. publico. com
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Petri Charpentier
PROJECT MANAGER Jaakko Lätti
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Vappu Virtanen
GRAPHIC DESIGN Riitta Yli-Öyrä
CONTRIBUTORS Sami J. Anteroinen Merja Kihl Ari Mononen
COVER PHOTO AS Tallink Grupp
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PETRI CHARPENTIER www. seatec. fi / magazine
4 seatec 2 / 2017