Minister Ranne: "Finland is a shipping country greater than its size"

Minister of Transport and Communications Lulu Ranne attended the European Shipping Summit seminar in Brussels on 20 March 2025. The seminar brought together European and international decision-makers, authorities and actors in the shipping industry.

Minister Ranne participated in a panel discussion on geopolitics and maritime affairs. Other panellists included economist and Nobel Prize winner Paul Krugman and Emmanuele Grimaldi, Managing Director of the Grimaldi Shipping Group and Chair of the Board of the International Chamber of Shipping ICS. During the discussion, Minister Ranne emphasised the importance of cooperation in responding to geopolitical challenges.

"Finland is a shipping country greater than its size, with a significant amount of maritime industry and shipping business. Finnish competence and pragmatic thinking are also appreciated in the geopolitically challenging situation. We Finns are very proud of our expertise in this sector. Maritime transport is fundamental to our competitiveness and security of supply," said Lulu Ranne, Minister of Transport and Communications.

Although the EU accounts for only approximately 15 per cent of the world’s gross domestic product, the EU Member States’ fleet is one of the largest in the world and accounts for approximately 35 per cent of the world’s fleet. Durng the discussion, Ranne reminded listeners that it is important to strengthen the competitiveness of the European shipping industry through joint actions.

At the seminar, Minister Ranne met with Vassilis Kikilias, Minister responsible for shipping in Greece, and Marina Hadjimanolis, Minister of shipping in Cyprus. At these meetings, the competitiveness and cooperation of the EU’s shipping sector as well as the safety and security of supply of shipping, among other things, were discussed.

Inquiries:

Päivi Antikainen, Director of Unit, paivi.antikainen(at)gov.fi, tel. +358 29 534 2101