Kotka Maritime Research Conference

At the end of October 2025, Kotka, Finland, hosted KOMAREC2025, bringing together the maritime community to explore the future of sustainable shipping. The conference, organized by the Kotka Maritime Research Centre, emphasized the power of collaboration as our cleanest fuel, sparking new partnerships and discussions on decarbonisation, regulation, and innovation.

Highlights included Kristin Kerem (AIRSHIP PROJECT) discussing regulatory challenges of unmanned vessels. You can read about her presentation here: https://merikotka.fi/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Kerem_Komarec25_O.pdf. And Mari-Liis Tombak (BALTIC-FIT) addressing environmental and cybersecurity issues in Baltic Sea shipping. Poster sessions explored topics such as the role of gender in maritime sustainability and the impact of environmental regulations on smaller vessels.

The event opened with Prof. Ulla Tapaninen, presenting on the complexities of adopting alternative fuels, reminding attendees that the transition is a dynamic process shaped by infrastructure, safety, and costs. KOMAREC2025 successfully combined science, dialogue, and practical momentum, reinforcing a shared commitment to smarter, greener maritime transport in the Baltic region and beyond.