From ports to offshore wind: six perspectives on the future of the Baltic blue economy

What does a sustainable blue economy mean for the Baltic Sea Region — and how can Estonia and Latvia turn marine knowledge, technology and cooperation into real impact?

MarTe’s first soft skills webinar was held on 13 May 2026. The webinar brought together six practical lectures on the ideas and developments shaping the Baltic blue economy — from the EU approach and regional data to marine technologies, ports, offshore wind and renewable energy storage.

A sea under pressure — and full of potential

The Baltic Sea is one of the most fragile and intensely used sea areas in Europe. At the same time, it is a place where innovation can make a real difference. Smarter ports, cleaner energy, better monitoring and stronger cooperation can help turn environmental challenges into practical solutions.

MarTe’s first soft skills webinar offers a compact overview of this changing landscape. How different parts of the blue economy connect with each other and why the region needs both technological development and a clear understanding of Baltic Sea conditions.

From the EU perspective to ports: ideas shaping the Baltic blue economy

What counts as the blue economy — and when does it become truly sustainable? Tiina-Maria Araja from the Estonian Environmental Investment Centre opens the topic from the EU perspective, but the question quickly becomes very local. In the Baltic Sea, sustainability is measured not only in climate targets, but also in nutrient loads, eutrophication, marine litter, pollution and the everyday pressure placed on a small and sensitive sea.

The regional picture becomes sharper through the data presented by Anni Hartikainen, Research and Development Advisor at the Association of Estonian Marine Industries. The Baltic Sea Region does not have one single blue economy story. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania each have different strengths, gaps and opportunities. This makes the question more interesting than simple growth: where can the Baltic states be smart, specialised and fast enough to create value?

One answer lies in technology. Kristjan Tabri from TalTech shows how MarTe partners have mapped more than 50 marine technologies and assessed their relevance for Baltic conditions. The strongest near-term opportunities point towards smart ports, green maritime transport, autonomous operations, environmental monitoring and digital tools. Emerging fields such as sustainable aquaculture, offshore renewable energy support technologies and alternative fuels show where the next wave of innovation may come from.

Ports are one of the places where this change becomes visible first. Kaspars Liepins from the Freeport of Ventspils Authority looks at a sector that can no longer rely on the old transit-based model. The port of tomorrow may be an energy hub, a green fuel producer, a bunkering point and a technology centre at the same time. Ventspils offers a concrete example of how existing port infrastructure can be reimagined for a new role in the Baltic economy.

Offshore wind brings another piece of the puzzle. Vladislavs Bezrukovs from Ventspils University of Applied Sciences explains why wind power is important for the Baltic energy transition, but also why turbines alone are not enough. A working system needs grids, cross-border connections, storage and ways to convert renewable electricity into fuels such as hydrogen, methanol or ammonia. In this picture, ports again become a key link between sea-based energy and land-based industry.

The final perspective turns to data. Rivo Uiboupin from Tallinn University of Technology shows how digital services and digital twins can make the marine environment easier to understand and manage. Observations, satellite imagery, modelling, forecasts and “what if” scenarios can support better decisions on water quality, offshore energy planning, sea ice risks and the cumulative impact of activities at sea.

The presentation slides can be downloaded now, and the recordings will be added to the same page once they are available.

Soft Skills Webinar Presentations:

Soft-Skill Webinar Recordings: