by Przemysław Myszka

My goodness, this issue is heavy on sustainability! We have lined up stories on port machinery electrification, shipping's impact on ocean health, how data shapes the emissions performance debate, the ‘secret sauce' for decarbonising small ferries in the Baltic, shipyards' role in the energy transition (and how it can be pronounced), how modern operational simulation ensures that green design genuinely translates into more sustainable operations, and the lessons other regions can learn from the Baltic when implementing an emission control area (and what our region needs to keep tabs on to lead).

All of this is a welcome coincidence as we can officially share that 2027 will see our brand-new event setting sail - and quite literally so! The one-of-a-kind GREEN SHIPPING CORRIDORS will combine a conference and a study visit. We have partnered with Finnlines to take you aboard one of their cruise ferries plying the picturesque Naantali-Kapellskär crossing to personally ‘touch' how the push for decarbonisation is reshaping transport and logistics in the Baltic Sea region and beyond - both on- and offshore. Speaking of which, we'll also see some cold ironing in action. During the ‘under-sail' gathering, we'll put the spotlight on the green shipping corridor concept (naturally!) - but also see whether there aren't other colours on the horizon. We will then ask how to design a ship that's green today - and stays such in (or around) 2050. The agenda will also focus on hinterland affairs such as combining shore power with battery storage, setting up an off-the-grid port, connecting capital to carbon, and making an innovative business case out of waste. Mark your calendar for 20-21 May 2027 to become part of this unique experience! Ship - and conference - ahoy!

But the autumn issue also has other articles in store, including a follow-up to our hard-hitting piece on the EU's mega-transport projects. This time, we investigated the bloc's investments in the Western Balkans. Included here are a few uninvited remarks on the current state of the EU and its future - to which the European Commission will never respond (similar to how the European Court of Auditors never hears from the EU executive regarding the watchdog's reports...). This reminds me of a bittersweet joke. One guy says to another: you should always say what you think. Because honesty is the best policy? No. Because nobody listens anyway.

Fortunately, we listen - and give voice to a diverse range of topics. The 5/26 edition also updates you on the changes to the Estonian flag, how to improve on-board life for seafarers through quality food, and, on land, how to build an evolving digital portal for employee development. There is also a comprehensive argument for adding transport capacity, with the Middle Corridor in focus - you know, just in case yet another local-turned-global disruption hits the fan... Last but not least, we covered as many as three events this time around - the Baltic Ports Conference (the agenda of which I had the pleasure of crafting this year), the Euromed Convention of the Grimaldi Group, and the ECG Conference of the Association of European Vehicle Logistics.

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