On September 3 and 4, the annual conference of the Baltic Ports Organization  took place in Turku, Finland. The event brought together port managers, maritime industry representatives, and experts from the Baltic Sea region. The Port of Riga was represented by Ansis Zeltiņš, the Freeport of Riga CEO and a BPO Board member.

Under this year’s theme, “One Large Green Shipping Corridor,” discussions focused on port development amid shifting geopolitical and economic conditions. Key topics included establishment of green shipping corridors, the role of ports in the energy transition, climate resilience and biodiversity, as well as port digitalization and the adoption of new technologies.

In the framework of the conference discussions it was emphasized that ports should be able to adapt to change ever more quickly while maintaining their competitiveness and resilience. The development of green shipping requires closer cooperation between ports, shipping companies, cargo owners, and the energy and financial sectors. In the future, ports will play an increasingly important role in the development of new energy sources and technologies. Digitalization has become an indispensable prerequisite for modern port operations. To implement it successfully, ports should strike a perfect balance between technological opportunities, local operational needs, and investment efficiency.

The participants discussed the upcoming European Union Ports Strategy, including such topics as port competitiveness, the energy transition, the security and resilience of critical infrastructure, military mobility, and the development of dual-use infrastructure.

During the elections for the BPO Board of Directors held at the conference, Ansis Zeltiņš, CEO of the Freeport of Riga, was re-elected to the organization’s board. The BPO brings together ports in the Baltic Sea region and organizations related to the port sector, representing their interests in European Union institutions and other international organizations. The BPO focuses on port competitiveness, sustainable development, environmental and climate issues, as well as the exchange of knowledge and experience among the region’s ports.

At the conclusion of the conference in Turku, it was announced that the next Baltic Ports Conference will take place on September 8 and 9, 2027, in Riga, where it will be hosted by the Port of Riga.

In inviting representatives of the Baltic port industry to meet in Riga next year, Ansis Zeltiņš emphasized that the Baltic and global port industries face significant challenges, but the experience of recent years confirms the ports’ ability to change and adapt quickly: “Ports are no longer the slow-changing structures they were long considered to be. The sector has proven that it can be just as flexible and adapt to change just as quickly as other industries. Ports are an essential part of the European economy, and the Baltic Sea region is ready to contribute to Europe’s growth and competitiveness. We will continue this discussion in Riga next year.”