Estonia’s strategic access to the sea is once again proving to be a valuable asset, as it welcomes a high-profile visit this week. From April 23-25, Estonia is hosting a high-level German business delegation, which includes leaders from the Hamburg and Lübeck ports, logistics sector executives, entrepreneurs, and policymakers. The visit aims to strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries.
It’s building upon a solid foundation — last year, Estonia hosted a 50-person delegation led by Senator Dr Melanie Leonhard, Minister for Economic Affairs and Innovation of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, which included the heads of Philips, Beiersdorf, Airbus Operations, and Lufthansa Industry Solutions,
Among those arriving in Estonia this time are Lübeck Mayor Jan Lindenau, Hamburg Ministry of Economy and Innovation’s Ports and Logistics Director Niels Wiecker, Lübeck Port CEO Sebastian Jürgens, Hamburg Port’s European Regional Director Marina Basso Michael, and several entrepreneurs. The visit focuses on sustainable transport corridors, digitalisation, and innovation in port and logistics sector development.
“Maritime trade has connected our nations for centuries – a heritage well illustrated by the powerful Hanseatic League network that linked our major ports. In today’s unstable geopolitical era, it’s crucial to strengthen these ties again,” said Estonian Infrastructure Minister Kuldar Leis. “By establishing new trade routes, we’re taking an important step toward increasing the security of vital systems such as energy and food supply,” he added.
“The Baltic states are not only dynamically developing economies but also important nodes in trade between Northern Europe, Scandinavia, and Eurasia,” said Hamburg Port’s European Regional Director Marina Basso Michael. “Beyond conventional container handling, we see good opportunities in project cargo, automotive logistics, and sustainable energy solutions. We’re also interested in the e-commerce sector and exchanging experiences in digitalisation and innovative port technologies”.
During their visit to Estonia, the delegation will tour Paldiski and Muuga ports, the e-Estonia Briefing Centre, and the Estonian Maritime Academy. They will meet with the Infrastructure Minister and entrepreneurs and participate in the German-Estonian Ports Forum, taking place on April 24 at the Nordic Hotel.
Enterprise Estonia is helping organise the visit from the Estonian side, in cooperation with the German Embassy, the Port of Tallinn, and the Baltic-German Chamber of Commerce. “Baltic Sea trade flows have undergone significant changes in recent years due to geopolitical events as well as technological and environmental developments. Estonia is seeking new opportunities by developing modern and sustainable logistics solutions. So is Germany,” said Riina Leminsky, Invest Estonia’s director of business development in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Estonia’s favourable business environment and skilled workforce create opportunities for maritime innovation partnerships, particularly in AI-driven cargo optimisation and digital logistics platforms. Hamburg offers Estonia gateway access to German and global markets through its world-class logistics hub. Both nations face common challenges in developing zero-emission shipping, green port technologies, and sustainable marine transport solutions, she elaborated.
The cooperation is already robust: the total flow of goods between Germany and Estonia is over €3.5B. Estonia main export categories included communication equipment, plywood and laminated wood products, while Germany brings in cars and defence equipment. With the new maritime solutions, the business bonds can grow even stronger.
The German business delegation includes representatives from the City of Lübeck, Hamburg Ministry of Economy and Innovation, Port of Lübeck, Port of Hamburg, Port of Duisburg, Port of Rostock, European Cargo Logistics, Lübeck Economic Development, Flotte Hamburg, Heinrich Wegener & Sohn Bunkergesellschaft, HHLA, Hamburg Invest, Hamburg Port Authority, Lübeck Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Lutra, METRANS, One Ocean Network Express, TCO Transcargo, and Transfennica.
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