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Maritime policy Finland’s goal is to develop maritime policy into one of the country’s key strengths. The Government decided on the guidelines for maritime policy in 2019 and drew up an action plan based on the guidelines in March 2022. These docu...

16.2.2026 | Minister of Employment Matias Marttinen is currently visiting Canada and the United States. The visit is part of Finland’s long-term goal to intensify strategic cooperation and collaboration on skills and expertise with North America. Another purpose is to find sustainable solutions for the development, availability and opportunities for skilled labour in the marine industry together with partner countries.

11.2.2026 | The demand for skilled labour in the maritime industry is growing. Competence requirements in the sector, especially for highly skilled tasks, are changing. This is the conclusion of a report on the skills needs of the maritime industry published by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment on 11 February 2026.

National strategic choices for research, development and innovation policy and activities The Multiannual Plan for the Use of Government Research and Development Funding states that Finland’s future success will be built on strategic choices in re...

15.4.2026 | Finland and Canada have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will strengthen their bilateral collaboration especially in marine industry and Arctic matters. The MoU was signed by Minister of Economic Affairs Sakari Puisto and Canada’s Minister of Industry Melanie Joly in Ottawa on 14 April 2026.

Governments and ministers You can browse the information on the site by government, minister, ministerial title and ministry. All ministers are listed for each government, along with their terms of office. The information on individual ministers i...

Governments and ministers You can browse the information on the site by government, minister, ministerial title and ministry. All ministers are listed for each government, along with their terms of office. The information on individual ministers i...

4.5.2026 | National coordinators of the Icebreaker Collaboration Effort (ICE Pact) from Canada, Finland and the United States will meet in Helsinki on 5–7 May 2026. Finland will host a three-day meeting for the countries’ government representatives to advance the goals related to icebreaker construction and Arctic cooperation.

History and buildings History of the Finnish Government The War of Finland in 1808-09 brought the transfer of Finland from Swedish rule to become an autonomous grand duchy of the Russian empire. In 1809 the new Grand Duchy of Finland received its ...

7.10.2024 | Minister of Economic Affairs Wille Rydman will visit The Hague in the Netherlands on 8 October 2024 as part of Team Finland’s trade mission focusing on the maritime industry.

19.5.2026 | 1 Joint Statement: 3rd India-Nordic Summit Oslo, 19 May 2026 1. Today in Oslo, the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, the Acting Prime Minister of Denmark, Ms. Mette Frederiksen, the Prime Minister of Norway, Mr. Jonas Gahr Støre, the Pr...

8.4.2026 | Minister of Transport and Communications Lulu Ranne and Minister of Economic Affairs Sakari Puisto hosted a roundtable discussion on the competitiveness and security of Finland’s ports on 7 April 2026.

24.4.2026 | The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) will meet in London from 27 April to 1 May 2026. IMO Member States are expected to decide the next steps in negotiations on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from shipping. Other topics to be discussed include specifications to the rules on the carbon intensity and energy efficiency of vessels, the regulation of ballast water and guidance on reducing underwater noise.

11.12.2025 | Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio will visit the Netherlands on 11–12 December as part of the official delegation accompanying President of the Republic Alexander Stubb on his state visit. Minister Tavio will also attend the programme for the business delegation.

EN 1 EN SFC2021 INTERREG Programme CCI 2021TC16RFCB013 Title (Interreg VI-A) Finland-Estonia-Latvia-Sweden (Central Baltic) Version 3.0 First year 2021 Last year 2027 Eligible from 1 Jan 2021 Eligible until 31 Dec 2029 EC decision number C(2023)38...

13.11.2025 | With a budget of almost EUR 28 million, the ACWA LIFE project is one of the most significant projects during the history of water resources management in Finland. The eight-year project to be started in the beginning of 2026 will improve the status of waters by enhancing river basin management planning and actions based on this in five areas.

6.11.2025 | The Assembly of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) will elect a new Council for the forthcoming two-year term in November-December. Finland is seeking re-election to the Council. The Ministry of Transport and Communications has invited Finnish maritime education institutions to serve as advisers to the Finnish delegation at the Assembly. Finnish maritime education is a sought-after export to various parts of the world. 

13.10.2025 | The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) will meet in London on 14–17 October 2025. The extraordinary session of the Committee is to decide on historic and globally binding measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from shipping.

21.10.2025 | Following complex negotiations and a rare vote, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) decided to postpone the final adoption of the long-discussed regulation package on maritime transport emissions by at least one year. The decision means that the proposed regulation will not come into force as originally scheduled in March 2027.

16.10.2025 | The Ministry of Transport and Communications is preparing a long-term investment programme, based on the Government Programme, to renew Finland’s icebreaking fleet. In addition, Sanna Ruuskanen, Director of Unit at the Ministry of Transport and Communications, will be appointed as a new member of the Board of Directors of Arctia Ltd, Finland’s state-owned icebreaking company.