ECG — 2025-09-04
News from ECG
The ECG Maritime & Ports Working Group gathered at the Port of Hanko in early September, bringing together around 30 industry representatives to discuss pressing challenges facing the maritime sector and Finished Vehicle Logistics (FVL) industry.
The two-day event took place on 3 September with an informal networking dinner, where Sture Söderholm, representative from the City of Hanko welcomed participants. The programme was followed by a full-day meeting on 4 September featuring an agenda packed with expert presentations and roundtable discussions. Participants also had an opportunity to visit Port of Hanko, gaining first-hand insights into its operations.
Opening the meeting, Chairman Oliver Fuhljahn welcomed participants, while sponsors and hosts shared updates on their operations and provided perspectives on current developments in maritime and road transport. Port of Hanko presented its strategy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, reflecting broader industry efforts to meet climate targets.
Market conditions were also in sharp focus, with an in-depth look at Finland’s struggling automotive sector. New car and van registrations have plunged to their lowest level in 30 years, with only 74,000 passenger cars and 9,700 vans registered in 2024. This marks a steep decline from earlier peaks of more than 140,000 cars and 15,000 vans.
Industry experts pointed to a combination of recessionary pressures, weak consumer confidence, rising interest rates, and surging vehicle prices — which have climbed 53% since 2014 — as drivers of the downturn. Uncertainty over the choice between electric, hybrid, or conventional powertrains has also prompted many Finns to delay purchases. Used cars, particularly imports from Central Europe, are gaining traction as a more affordable alternative.
Despite the slump, Finland continues to lead in electrification. Plug-in hybrids and fully electric vehicles now account for a growing share of new registrations, with one in five newly registered vans being a plug-in.
The meeting’s roundtable sessions fostered lively debate on impact of the US tariffs on the maritime sector, capacity challenges and the latest market developments and trends.
ECG Executive Director Frank Schnelle provided an update on the ECG’s latest activities, including its response to the European Commission’s call on Maritime Industrial Strategy and progress on a project to standardize vessel scheduling.
The event was made possible through the support of ECG members Auto-Uuttera, Finnlines, Freeport of Finland and the Port of Hanko, alongside external hosts KESS and Transfennica.