Ship Supply in Helsinki

13.09.2022, 11:37 Uhr

Welcome to the Baltics! Ship Supply in a unique part of the world

A commentary by Juhani Suokari, Finnish Ship Suppliers Association

"The Baltic Sea is a very significant location for ship supply. The head of the Finnish Ship Suppliers Association, Juhani Suokari, said, "We have so many ports and so many ships constantly arriving and going" (FSSA). We have worked in this industry for decades, and we are continually expanding. Juhani Suokari has been a prominent member of the Finnish Ship Suppliers Association for many years. He is the ideal individual to discuss ship supply in the Baltics. He serves on the OCEAN Board as the representative for the FSSA.

The Baltic Sea

The Baltic Sea is a huge, continuous body of water that is bordered by Scandinavian nations. The name is derived from the Slavic word for island, "Ostrov." On the eastern coast of the European Union, the Baltic Water is a mostly shallow sea. The Baltic Sea consists of a network of 700 to 1,000 islands covering around 160,000 square kilometres. Additionally, Russia, Poland, Germany, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia are its neighbours.

As one of the biggest bodies of water in Europe, the Baltic Sea is significant for shipping. Over 3100 ports enable transit for both freight and passenger ships along its coastlines. These ports are essential to the economies of several maritime nations, including Denmark and Germany. In reality, Germany's biggest port is situated on the Baltic Sea just outside of Hamburg.

Due to its position, the Baltic Sea is a vital maritime region. Its proximity to Germany and Scandinavia makes it an accessible gateway for traders moving between these countries. The average depth of the Baltic Sea is about 57 metres (188 feet), making it easier for ships to navigate.

Since before the commencement of World War II, when German U-boats used it to move commodities from one nation to another, shipping has been significant in the Baltic Sea.

Helsinki and St. Petersburg in Finland, Gothenburg in Sweden, and Hamburg in Germany are important Baltic Sea ports. These ports are used to carry commodities from one port to another by water. The ships utilised for these excursions were designed to transport large quantities of heavy cargo, but are too slow for maritime travel. In the last several decades, technical advancements have enabled the replacement of these sluggish ships with quicker, more efficient vessels.

This brings new challenges for ship suppliers in the Baltic.

 

Cruising in the Baltics

It's no surprise that the Baltic Sea is a hotspot for European cruisers. Large and small cruise ships alike enjoy sailing through this scenic waterway on their way from the North Sea to the Atlantic Ocean and stopping at ports like Stockholm, Helsinki, and Tallinn.

Numerous tourist destinations outside the Baltic Sea are open all year and welcome visitors from all over the world. The ancient Old Town of Tallinn, Estonia, and the historic district of Stockholm, Sweden, are two of the many popular stops on cruise itineraries. Popular tourism draws people from all over the world to see the gorgeous architecture, natural beauty, and deep historical heritage of these locations.

Helsinki, in Finland, is perhaps the most well-known city on the Baltic Sea, since it has been named "World Design Capital" by the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design on two separate occasions (ICSID). It is well-known for being a cultural leader in technology, communications, and art, in addition to being a major tourist attraction and vital commercial centre in northern Europe.

We supply the cruise ships in the Baltic with the goods they need to make every cruise a sounding success and create lasting, unforgettable memories for our valued visitors. 

Good quality ship supply makes a long voyage short.

The international commerce industry is in second place behind tourism as the most common cause for ships to visit this area. Goods are brought to and from ports in the Baltic region and nations all over the globe by cargo ships. These countries include Germany, the United States, China, and many more. A lengthy business journey across the Ocean might be shortened significantly with high-quality ship supplies. Food is crucial for maintaining the health of the crew as well as a positive working attitude. Therefore, it is essential to give your staff with the very finest food that you can find and to ensure that they are nourished on a consistent basis during the trip.

Having a good cuisine on the table is essential for a good working mood.

It is so vitally important for food to not only taste good but also be healthy. It should be prepared in a manner that makes it simple to eat and simple to prepare, all while preserving its freshness until it is ready to be eaten. When picking food supplies for a ship's kitchen, another key consideration is the level of food safety the shipping supplier provides. When you are at sea, the quality of your meals will determine whether or not it is a long journey that everyone is sick of or whether or not it is a journey that you can't wait to go back on. The value of having ship supplies of high quality is something that can be attested to by every sailor. We get this. This is why products bought by OCEAN members are of the highest quality and they taste great, too. 

Ship supplies are more demanding than ever before.

The ship supply sector is rapidly becoming one of the most demanding industries in existence. The explanation for this is straightforward: the shipping sector as a whole has gotten more technologically advanced, more competitive, more global, and more digital. Because of these shifts, shippers are being forced to consider their supply chains in new and different ways. Ship supply firms, on the other hand, need to be nimble enough to adapt to the changing nature of the issues they face, all while maintaining an excellent level of customer service. Several ports in the Baltic region have developed innovative approaches of doing business with ship suppliers. Let's look at just two (although I could pick many).

The port of Tallinn, Estonia

The port of Tallinn, located in the northern part of the Baltic Sea, has a new business model whereby ships can be supplied through their own engines. This is possible thanks to an offshore terminal that uses liquid natural gas (LNG). In order to supply ships with this fuel, they must first stop at a LNG tanker which loads up and then travels with them to their destination.

The port of Helsinki, Finland

The city of Helsinki is also working on establishing its own ship-supplying business model. Here too it will use LNG as its main fuel source; however, unlike in Tallinn’s case where tankers will act as floating fueling stations for vessels passing by the coast on their way elsewhere in Europe or Asia, Helsinki plans instead to build an LNG terminal where ships can stop over for refueling before heading further out into open waters – away from nearby landmasses such as Britain or Sweden where there would otherwise be no place safe enough for loading up with such dangerous materials like propane gas (which can explode if not properly handled).

Conclusion

Ship supply companies are continuing to provide essential supplies and services to vessels that are operating in the Baltic Sea.

Due to the surge in demand for ship supplies, it is vital for firms that specialise in ship supplies to remain current on advances in Baltic shipping. This is because of the rise in demand for ship supplies. The ship supply industry is growing more demanding, and this trend is not limited to the need for perishable items like food and drink. Flexibility in the ship's supplies is increasing as a result of the ongoing process of the needs of different ships being refined. The authorities in charge of ports now need to be prepared to deal with ships that arrive and depart according to a range of schedules since ports are now open around the clock. We need and do react to this and you can count on us to supply you when you want your goods, where you want them and - often - at the (fair) price you want them.

In the end, no one can predict with absolute certainty what the future holds for shipping in the Baltic Sea; nonetheless, it is fair to say that those who are active in the shipping sector in this region of the world have a lot to look forward to as well as a lot of work to achieve. OCEAN and FSSA members are ready!