22nd INTERNATIONAL
MARITIME CONFERENCE
2026

SEPTEMber 24–25, 2026 | TALLINN, ESTONIA
TALLINK SPA & CONFERENCE HOTEL
Sadama 11A, Tallinn, estonia
Watch RECORDING 
Programme
The Estonian Shipowners' Association, TalTech Estonian Maritime Academy, Tallink Grupp, Port of Tallinn and Corpore Conferences are organizing for the 22nd consecutive year the oldest maritime conference in the Baltics, which aims to bring together maritime, transport, public and academic sectors and companies from Estonia and neighboring countries.

Traditionally, the September conference also marks World Maritime Day. Over the years, 4,000 participants from more than 10 countries have attended the conference. 400 speakers from Estonia and abroad have shared their knowledge.

We have decided to organize the conference in a hybrid format. It means that the forum will also be broadcasted online for those not able to travel to Tallinn.

Location

The Tallink Spa & Conference Hotel's modern conference center offers many great opportunities for high level events. The hotel is much more than just a place to stay - here you can pleasantly combine a business trip with a vacation and continue after a busy meeting day in the lobby bar, water park or Nero restaurant.

It is the most unique hotel in the center of Tallinn, and the rooms are designed in a comfortable and personal style.


See exact location for a larger map

Speakers 2026

Kuldar Leis

Minister of Infrastructure

View More

Kuldar Leis

Minister of Infrastructure

Elise Nassar

President of the Estonian Shipowners' Association

View More

Elise Nassar

President of the Estonian Shipowners' Association

Bartlomiej Gurba

European Commission, Directorate-General for Climate Action, Transport Policy Unit, Head of Maritime Affairs 

View More

Bartlomiej Gurba

European Commission, Directorate-General for Climate Action, Transport Policy Unit, Head of Maritime Affairs 

Vincent Rudelle

Managing Director of LMG Marin France

View More

Vincent Rudelle

Managing Director of LMG Marin France
Vincent Rudelle is Managing Director of LMG Marin France, a leading naval architecture and marine engineering company specializing in innovative ship design and decarbonization solutions.
He has over 20 years of experience in ship design, with a strong focus on low-emission and alternative fuel technologies, including LNG, battery hybrid, and hydrogen-powered vessels.
Vincent has been closely involved in the development of ferry projects in Estonia, including the four ice-class ferries currently in operation on the west coast routes, and the recent contract for a fifth ferry for the Estonian State Fleet.

Javad Keypour

PhD, Lecturer in Energy Law and Sustainability, Department of Law, School of Business and Governance Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech)

View More

Javad Keypour

PhD, Lecturer in Energy Law and Sustainability, Department of Law, School of Business and Governance Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech)
Javad Keypour is a Lecturer in Energy Law and Sustainability at TalTech, where he has been affiliated with the Department of Law since 2017. He holds a PhD in Law and an MA in International Relations from TalTech, as well as an MSc in Chemical Engineering.
His research focuses on EU energy law and security, EU–Russia energy relations, critical energy infrastructure, and the geopolitical and legal dimensions of the energy transition. His recent work has increasingly addressed the security of energy and maritime infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, including the Estlink 2/Eagle S incident and the legal and security challenges associated with Russia’s shadow fleet.
Before returning full-time to TalTech, Javad spent two years at SEI Tallinn, where he worked on energy security and decarbonisation projects covering Estonia, Finland and the Baltic States. He also contributed to the UA-GRIDEX project on strengthening Ukraine’s energy resilience against attacks on its energy infrastructure and collaborated with the European Topic Centre on Sustainability Transitions on the role of hydrogen in the EU energy transition.

Andreas Slotte

Head of Sustainability and HSEQ, Port of Helsinki

View More

Andreas Slotte

Head of Sustainability and HSEQ, Port of Helsinki
Andreas Slotte is the Head of Sustainability and HSEQ at Port of Helsinki Ltd, where he is responsible for planning and implementing the port’s sustainable development strategy and activities. Noteworthy items on the agenda are the planning and implementation of the port’s carbon neutrality program, the planning for future fuels, the development of the port's Green Corridors, as well as further development of the port’s environmental incentive program. Andreas is a vice chair of the European Seaport Organization’s SD-committee as well as member of the SD-committee of Finnish Ports.

Piret Mürk-Dubout

Member of the Management Board, Tallink Grupp / Chair of the Board, Tallink Silja AB

View More

Piret Mürk-Dubout

Member of the Management Board, Tallink Grupp / Chair of the Board, Tallink Silja AB

Taru Keronen

CEO, Eckerö Line

View More

Taru Keronen

CEO, Eckerö Line
Eckerö Line’s CEO, Taru Keronen (eMBA, MSc in Economics and Business Administration), is an experienced leader in the hospitality, travel and logistics industries, as well as a professional board member.She has a particular interest in customer and employee experience.

Valdo Kalm

Chairman of the Management Board, Port of Tallinn

View More

Valdo Kalm

Chairman of the Management Board, Port of Tallinn
Valdo Kalm has served as the chairman of the Port of Tallinn board since March 2016. Previously, Kalm led the telecommunications company formerly known as EMT (now Telia Eesti) for over 20 years. Kalm was elected chairman of the management board of AS Eesti Telekom in May 2007. Kalm has a master’s degree in the field of Automatics and Telemechanics from Tallinn University of Technology.

Vesa Marttinen

Vice President, Cargo, Port of Helsinki

View More

Vesa Marttinen

Vice President, Cargo, Port of Helsinki
Passionate maritime man, leader and advisor of maritime businesses in northern hemisphere.
While finalizing M.Sc. in Naval Architecture Vesa joined Silja Line in 1997. There he got acquainted with CapEx projects, sale & purchase of vessels and the ship management. After the Nordic work culture, he moved to Florida, heading Deltamarin engineering consulting for global cruise lines and North American maritime clientele. Then he joined Aker Yards to create and lead the growth of global consulting engineering & conversion business. That was followed by a shift to Wärtsilä along with “scrubber” initiative, where he was leading Environmental Services and then took a role as senior leader of Marine Lifecycle Solutions.
After corporate life, he worked on assignments in change management from 2013. First as MD for Turku Repair Yard in Finland, followed by structural business in Nordics, Cruise ship public spaces project management in Japan, Advisor in digital businesses at Cruise & Ferry, Logistics IoT scale-up leadership and finally as shipyard General Manager in UK. He has experience from board of Finnish Marine Industries, SeaEurope, SRC Group, Eniram and from several advisory committees.
Since summer 2023 Vesa Marttinen has served as VP, Cargo in Port of Helsinki. He is also a member of board at Port of Loviisa and Finnish Waterways Association.

Marcus Risberg

CEO, Viking Line

View More

Marcus Risberg

CEO, Viking Line

Paweł Grobelny

Senior Surveyor, DNV

View More

Paweł Grobelny

Senior Surveyor, DNV
In the maritime industry for nearly 20 years.
A graduate of the Faculty of Marine Engineering at the Szczecin University of Technology.Senior Surveyor and Auditor at DNV. Daily work includes certification of components and materials, as well as audits and certification of manufacturing plants with a focus on production quality.
Enthusiast and promoter of modern solutions in the maritime sector. In recent years involved in international projects related to decarbonization and digitalization of the industry – also as a project manager.Speaker and panelist at conferences on maritime decarbonization, trainer at DNV Maritime Academy.

Jaak Viilipus

Executive Director, Estonian Maritime Cluster

View More

Jaak Viilipus

Executive Director, Estonian Maritime Cluster
Marine policy expert who has led the maritime departments at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications and the Ministry of Climate, and together with his team developed and participated in drafting regulations across various blue economy sectors.
At the international level, Jaak has contributed to the development of blue economy regulations in working groups of the European Union, the IMO, and HELCOM, bringing Estonian innovation and practical experience to the table.
He is the founder and CEO of Nordic Marine Advisory Group, which, together with his team, provides advisory services in the blue economy to both the public and private sectors.

Kristjan Truu

Deputy Secretary General for Maritime Affairs and Water Environment, Ministry of Climate

View More

Kristjan Truu

Deputy Secretary General for Maritime Affairs and Water Environment, Ministry of Climate
Education

2021 – … University of Tartu
    Strategic management, MBA
2015 – 2018 Tallinn University of Technology
    Maritime Studies, MSc
2005 – 2010 Estonian Maritime Academy
Deck officer  

Experience

05.2023 - … Director of Maritime Division (Transport Administration)
07.2021 – 04.2023 Head of Maritime Safety and Supervision Department (Transport Administration)
03.2019 – 06.2021 Head of Ship Supervision Department (Maritime Administration/ Transport Administration)
11.2017 – 02.2019 Maritime casualty investigator (Safety Investigation Bureau)
08.2010 – 06.2017 Deck officer/master on different vessels

Membership in organizations

Member of Association of Estonian Deck Officers

Sigmar Suu

Head of Fisheries Policy Department, Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture

View More

Sigmar Suu

Head of Fisheries Policy Department, Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture
Regionaal- ja Põllumajandusministeeriumi Kalanduspoliitika osakonna juhataja. Vastutusalas kogu Eesti kalandus, nii kutseline püük kui harrastuskalastus ja samuti vesiviljeluse edendamine.

Loreida Timberg

Senior Researcher and Research Group Leader, Blue Economy and Water Resources Research Group, TalTech

View More

Loreida Timberg

Senior Researcher and Research Group Leader, Blue Economy and Water Resources Research Group, TalTech
Loreida Timberg is the Director of Research and Development at the Estonian Maritime Academy and Head of the Blue Economy and Water Resources Research Group. Her work focuses on the science-based modernization of the maritime sector, merging sustainable practices with innovation. She leads projects that translate academic research into practical solutions for the industry. As the lead for maritime doctoral studies, her mission is to shape the next generation of top-tier experts and researchers.

Indrek Adler

Director of the TalTech Blue Technology Centre

View More

Indrek Adler

Director of the TalTech Blue Technology Centre
Indrek Adler on TalTechi Sinitehnoloogia Keskuse juht ning regenereeriva vesiviljeluse ettevõtte Aqua Verde OÜ kaasasutaja. Tema tegevus keskendub meretoorme kestlikule väärindamisele ja sinimajanduse tehnoloogiate arendamisele, hõlmates rannakarpe, vetikaid, kalu, krevette ning muid mere- ja vesiviljelusressursse. Indrek juhib ja arendab mitmeid Eesti ja Euroopa Liidu teadus- ja innovatsiooniprojekte, mis käsitlevad taastavat vesiviljelust, RAS-süsteeme, vesiviljeluse digitaliseerimist, kalanduse logistikat, merebiomassi biorefineerimist ning ringmajanduslikke lahendusi. Tema töö ühendab teaduse, ettevõtluse ja tehnoloogilise innovatsiooni eesmärgiga kujundada Läänemere piirkonnas kestlikku ja kõrge lisandväärtusega sinimajandust.

Jüri Jaanson

Reform Party

View More

Jüri Jaanson

Reform Party

Jaak Aab

Social Democratic Party

View More

Jaak Aab

Social Democratic Party

Lauri Laats

Center Party

View More

Lauri Laats

Center Party

Tarmo Kõuts

Isamaa Party

View More

Tarmo Kõuts

Isamaa Party

Riho Nüüd

Estonian Conservative People's Party

View More

Riho Nüüd

Estonian Conservative People's Party

Urmas Vaino

View More

Urmas Vaino

Priit Sauk

Director General of the Transport Administration

View More

Priit Sauk

Director General of the Transport Administration
Priit Sauk has led private and public sector organizations of various sizes for more than 30 years. A passion for learning and a desire to find innovative solutions have accompanied him throughout his career. Leading large-scale reforms in major organizations, as well as designing and digitalizing services, are challenges that truly inspire him.
At the Estonian Transport Administration, ensuring employee well-being and delivering ambitious objectives with limited resources requires the continuous improvement of services and IT systems, alongside a strong commitment to valuing and supporting people.
As the head of a competence center covering three major infrastructure sectors, his role at the Estonian Transport Administration provides an opportunity to contribute to the planning and delivery of mobility in Estonia, while also improving safety and environmental sustainability across air, land, and water transport.

Roman Vinartshuk

Advisor to the Management Board of BLRT Grupp AS

View More

Roman Vinartshuk

Advisor to the Management Board of BLRT Grupp AS

Roomet Leiger

Director of TalTech Estonian Maritime Academy

View More

Roomet Leiger

Director of TalTech Estonian Maritime Academy

Programme 2026
September 24th Programme

15:30-18:30 Port of Tallinn and Tallink Group tours  and reception
15:30We will meet all guests at Terminal D of the Port of Tallinn (indoors or outdoors, depending on the weather). You will be met by a representative from the Port of Tallinn.
Two weeks before the conference, we will send a table to those who have registered for the tours and reception on September 24th, where we ask you to add either your personal identification number or year of birth. This is necessary in order to gain access to the port area.
15:35Walking through Terminal D, talk about the Smart Port
16:00Watch the loading and unloading of a Tallink ship
16:15 Walking to the VIP lounge area, where guests are greeted by Peep Jalakas, CEO of Tallink Group and Margus Vihman, Member of the Board, Port of Tallinn
16:30Reception, where we can socialize together, taste snacks and exchange impressions and information
18:00-18:30 End of the reception
September 25th Programme

The title of the conference is "Navigating the New Realities"

Moderator: Roomet Leiger, Director of TalTech Estonian Maritime Academy

9:00-10:00 Registration and morning coffee
10:00-10:10 Opening Remarks of the Conference
Kuldar Leis, Minister of Infrastructure
10:10-10:15Introduction to the Conference
Elise Nassar, President of the Estonian Shipowners' Association
10:15-11:00EU ETS review - boost for decarbonisation of shipping and EU competitiveness
Bartlomiej Gurba, European Commission, Directorate-General for Climate Action, Transport Policy Unit, Head of Maritime Affairs (Online presentation)
11:00-11:30 Why Large Double-ended Ferries Could become the Most Competitive Solution for the Baltic Sea?
Vincent Rudelle, Managing Director of LMG Marin France
Presentation
11:30-12:00 The Sea as Critical Infrastructure: Energy Security, Maritime Law, Shadow Fleet  and Baltic Maritime Security
Javad Keypour, PhD, Lecturer in Energy Law and Sustainability, Department of Law, School of Business and Governance Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech)
Presentation
12:00-13:15 Lunch break
13:15-14:15Panel Discussion: From Competition to Collaboration: Powering the FIN-EST Green Corridor
Head of the Panel: Andreas Slotte, Head of Sustainability and HSEQ, Port of Helsinki
Panelists:
Piret Mürk-Dubout, Member of the Management Board, Tallink Grupp / Chair of the Board, Tallink Silja AB
Taru Keronen, CEO, Eckerö Line
Valdo Kalm, Chairman of the Management Board, Port of Tallinn
Vesa Marttinen, Vice President, Cargo, Port of Helsinki
Marcus Risberg, CEO, Viking Line
14:15 -14:45Latest Trends in Decarbonization
Paweł Grobelny, Senior Surveyor, DNV
Presentation
14:45-15:30Coffee break
15:30-16:15 Panel Discussion: Blue Economy in Estonia and Globally – Cooperation and Competition
Head of the Panel: Jaak Viilipus, Executive Director, Estonian Maritime Cluster
Presentation
Panelists:
Kristjan Truu, Deputy Secretary General for Maritime Affairs and Water Environment, Ministry of Climate
Sigmar Suu, Head of Fisheries Policy Department, Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture
Loreida Timberg, Senior Researcher and Research Group Leader, Blue Economy and Water Resources Research Group, TalTech
Indrek Adler, Director of the TalTech Blue Technology Centre
16:15-17:00Panel Discussion: The New Reality and Competitiveness of Estonian Shipping
Head of the Panel: Urmas Vaino
Panelists:
Jüri Jaanson, Reform Party
Jaak Aab, Social Democratic Party
Lauri Laats, Estonian Centre Party
Tarmo Kõuts, Isamaa
Riho Nüüd, Conservative People's Party of Estonia (EKRE)
Priit Sauk, Director General of the Transport Administration
Roman Vinartshuk, Advisor to the Management Board of BLRT Grupp AS
17:00-17:30Conference Wrap-Up and Prize Draw


* Working language: Estonian and English
* Simultaneous translation Estonian-English-Estonian
* The organizer has the right to make changes in the program

Moderator: Indrek Lepp, Ship Master, Tallink Grupp

9:00-10:00 Registration and morning coffee
10.00-10.05Opening word
Eiki Nestor, President of the Riigikogu
10.05-10.10 Greetings from the Estonian Shipowners Association
Kalev Järvelill, President of the Estonian Shipowners Association
10.10-11.00 ECSA maritime strategy overview
Martin Dorsman, Secretary General of ECSA
11.00-11.30 The Baltic Sea in the midst of climate change
Tarmo Soomere, President of the Estonian Academy of Sciences
11:30-12.00 The Problems of Ballast Water
Olof Widen, Finnish Shipowners’ Association
12.00-13:00Lunch
 13.00-13.30 Shared situational awareness in use at Tallink – Case study of the ChemSAR exercise on board M/V Regal Star
Henrik Ramm-Schmidt, Fleetrange CEO and Founder
13.30-14.00 The present and future of the Port of Tallinn’s shipping enterprises and their impact on the Estonian maritime industry
Ülo Eero, Chairman of the Management Board, TS Shipping
Jaak Kaabel, Chairman of the Management Board, TS Laevad
14.00-14.30  DNVGL - Energy Transition Outlook: Maritime Forecast to 2050
David Wendel, DNV GL, Key Account Manager, Norway
14.30-15.00 Coffee break
15.00-15.30  The Sailor of Today and Tomorrow
Roomet Leiger, Director of the Estonian Maritime Academy
15.30-16.00 Revisioning Maritime Law
Indra Kaunis, Member of the Management Board, Consolato del Mare
16.00-16.45 Discussion panel / Sea forum: The Maritime Economy - Opportunities and Challenges
Head of the panel: Urmas Vaino
Panel participants: 
Eero Naaber, Head of Department of Maritime Administration
Taivo Linnamägi, Director Aviation and Maritime Department
16.45-17.00Concluding statements and raffle draw
17.00-19.00 Reception

* Working language: Estonian and English
* Simultaneous translation Estonian-English-Estonian
* The Organizers reserve the right to make amendments to the schedule

On-site tickets

Participation fee includes: one conference day, conference materials, lunch, coffee breaks, reception.

Online tickets

The participation fee gives access to the online broadcast of the conference day.

Registration

Corpore Conferences will send an invoice to the email address you entered after registration.
Email again:
Visit to the Port of Tallinn and Tallink Group and participation in the reception on September 24*
GDPR Agreement*
I consent to have my submitted information stored and processed by the event organizers. Inter alia, we ask your permission to share your email address with other participants. The secretariat of International Maritime Conference uses the submitted registration data to manage the network of attendees, to inform them about running updates both before and after the event as well as for distributing the after event assets. I agree to publish my name in the event´s speaker folder. We store the submitted information in an application database and forward it to the organizers of the event.
50% of the entry fee will be refunded if you cancel your registration. The entry fee will not be refunded if canceled after 15.09.2026

Accommodation

Tallink Spa & Conference Hotel 4*

Sadama 11a, Tallinn


Tallink Spa & Conference Hotel offers perfect balance between business and vacation. The hotel features a conference centre equipped with high-level equipment, italian restaurant Nero and a water centre with saunas and pools, which provide the opportunity to relax after a busy day. The hotel is located just a few minutes' walk from the idyllic Old Town of Tallinn and a health trail passes by, which leads along the seashore to various sights worth visiting, including the creative hub Kultuurikatel, the former Patarei Prison, the fascinating Seaplane Harbour museum (Lennusadam), and the trendy Noblessner quarter.
Tallink Spa & Conference Hotel's environmental friendliness has been recognized with the international eco-label Green Key.

Rate includes accommodation, breakfast, unlimited use of water centre (at opening times), WiFi and VAT.
Promo prices are valid on 22-27 September 2026. The number of rooms is limited and booking is possible if there are available rooms.
Payment method: on the spot – Credit card or cash.

Booking:
Click on the link and select dates – discount code IMC2026 will be applied automatically.
Tallink Spa & Conference Hotel – IMC2026

Tallink City Hotel 4*

A. Laikmaa 5, Tallinn

The four-star hotel with the exclusive location in the centre of Tallinn is only a 15-minute walk from the conference venue. Here the idyllic Old Town, shopping centres and the city's best restaurants are all within reach. The rooms are furnished in a modern style, which suits a hotel in the heart of the city but at the same time reflects the closeness to nature. The Relaxation Area with its various saunas, water beds and lounge chairs allows you to have a rest after a long day and the rich buffet-breakfast will help you welcome a new day with fresh energy. Tallink City Hotel's environmental friendliness has been recognised with the international eco-label Green Key.

Rate includes accommodation, breakfast, WiFI, and VAT.
Promo prices are valid for booking through the website on 22-27 September 2026. The number of rooms is limited and booking is possible if there are available rooms.
Payment method: individually by the guest at the hotel – Credit card or cash.
Booking:
Click on the link and select dates – discount code IMC2026 will be applied automatically.
Tallink City Hotel – IMC2026

Sponsors


DNV
             

Organisers