Estonian Parliament Establishes Maritime Support Group

TALLINN - The Estonian Parliament (Riigikogu) established a maritime support group on Tuesday, aiming to bolster the development of Estonia's maritime economy and culture and ensure the sector's needs are better reflected in national decision-making.

According to the support group's chairwoman, Annely Akkermann, the group will partner with the Estonian Maritime Cluster, an initiative of the private sector that brings together the industry's largest companies and organizations. "Our common goal is to strengthen Estonia's maritime competitiveness and ensure the development of maritime education and culture," Akkermann said.

Akkermann stated that the support group plans to advocate for legislation that supports the growth ambitions of the Estonian maritime economy. "We want the sector's needs-such as the international competitiveness of the maritime industry, energy- and resource-efficient restructuring, scientific and innovative development, a new generation of skilled labor, and infrastructure investments-to be better addressed in national development plans," Akkermann said.

Ragmar Saksing, CEO of the Estonian Maritime Cluster, said that the creation of the support group is a significant step in strengthening cooperation between the sector and policymakers. "The maritime support group creates a strong platform for meaningful dialogue between decision-makers and maritime companies. In cooperation, we hope to shape a common understanding of the sector's challenges and promote systematic action to better realize the potential of the maritime economy at both local and international levels," Saksing said.

In addition to Annely Akkermann, the members of the maritime support group include Members of Parliament Kalle Laanet, Reili Rand, Jüri Jaanson, Mait Klaassen, Henn Põlluaas, Ando Kiviberg, Tarmo Tamm, Madis Kallas, Peeter Ernits, Andrei Korobeinik, and Rene Kokk.