Is the Sea Flourishing?

9th International Maritime Confenence "Is the Sea Flourishing?"
13th September 2013, Tallink SPA & Conference Hotel

The conference, which also marks World Maritime Day, has become something of a tradition, bringing together entrepreneurs and representatives of the Estonian maritime, transport, public and academic sectors to debate key maritime issues, set targets and come up with solutions that will benefit Estonia’s economy and society alike.

Inspired by the title of a popular maritime novel first published in 1935 by Estonian author August Mälk, we are asking ourselves: is the sea really flourishing? There are many facets to the question: if we pay too little attention to the protection of the marine environment, it will quite literally start to ‘flower’; if we pay too much attention to it, the maritime economy could dry up. Can we achieve a balance, so that ships can sail in clean waters? One comes at the expense of the other; there is no true ideal, but we can at least come as close to it as possible.

Sulphur restrictions will enter force in less than 18 months’ time, and will be joined by a number of other limitations in the coming years. Expensive reconstruction work has begun on ships in some parts, supported by the countries whose flags they fly. But what kind of shipping costs will this result in?

15% of world trade in goods takes place on the Baltic Sea, on which both sulphur and nitrogen limitations are being set. The situation is somewhat less restricted in the North Sea, not to mention other maritime areas in the European Union. How will shipping competition be affected in such unequal conditions? Perhaps the presentation being given at the conference by the vice-president of the European Commission will provide some answers.

Experts from Finland and Estonia will likewise be making presentations at the conference in which competition plays a part. Overviews will also be given of maritime safety and the state of play in maritime education in Estonia.

In conclusion, we will organise a discussion of Riigikogu parties in which everyone has the chance to present their vision of how to increase maritime competitiveness in such a way that instead of the sea it is shipping that flourishes – under the Estonian flag.

Participants will be able to discuss and analyse the presentations they heard at a modest reception after the conference.