Maritime Fair at Aboa Mare Highlights Future Careers and Industry Challenges
Maritime Fair 2026 will take place on 29-30 October at Aboa Mare in Turku, Finland. The fair brings together maritime professionals, shipping companies, authorities, manufacturers, suppliers, educators, and students under one roof. Throughout the event, participants will have numerous opportunities to network and gain insights into the latest developments in the maritime industry.
Visitors will have the chance to meet industry leaders and explore business and cooperation opportunities. Around 60 exhibitors are expected to participate, including most Finnish shipping companies. As many exhibitors are represented by HR and recruitment professionals, maritime students will have an excellent opportunity to explore career paths with potential employers.
The Maritime Fair was last held in 2024, when not all interested exhibitors could be accommodated. To meet growing demand, the number of exhibition stands has been increased this year. Visitors can discover the latest developments in the maritime sector through networking with exhibitors on the second floor and by attending panel discussions and presentations as part of the seminar programme on the ground floor.
The two seminar days will feature timely topics and inspiring speakers from across the maritime industry. The first seminar day, themed Students and Career Paths, focuses on the many career opportunities available within the international maritime sector. Among the speakers is Yasara Chandraratne, who will discuss career opportunities in the international yachting industry and provide practical advice on how to take the first steps into the profession.
The second seminar day, Industry and Exhibition Day, will focus on innovation, digitalisation, smart ports, sustainability, and current challenges facing global shipping.
A new feature this year is Speed Networking, designed to facilitate efficient meetings between exhibiting organisations and students.
Visitors will also be able to join guided tours of Aboa Mare's simulation department and experience the latest developments in maritime simulation technology. Aboa Mare has recently introduced a new Kongsberg engine room simulator featuring a complete fuel system for methanol and battery-hybrid operations. In addition, the bridge simulators have been upgraded.
From Studies to Working Life: Maritime Careers Offer Diverse Opportunities
The first seminar day, Students & Career Paths, highlights emerging career opportunities, student engagement, and the many ways young talents can enter and develop within the maritime industry. The day will be hosted by Tara Kylén and Jonas Långström, who will also serve as masters of ceremony for the seminar programme.
"For me, the fair is very much about bringing employers and future employees closer together. It is important that students feel confident reaching out, introducing themselves, and showing who they are, while the industry gets an opportunity to see the competence and potential among tomorrow's seafarers. Many students are interested and motivated but do not always get the opportunity to demonstrate what they can do," says Jonas Långström, an alumnus of Novia University of Applied Sciences' Degree Programme in Maritime Management.
Tara Kylén is a third-year Maritime Management student at Novia.
"I believe it is important to emphasise to students that this day is for them. It provides an opportunity to gain a better understanding of how large and diverse the maritime industry is, while also allowing them to meet and engage with representatives from different sectors of the industry," she says.
Smoother and Safer Passenger and Vehicle Flows in Turku's New Ferry Terminal
Ports are complex and time-critical operating environments where port authorities, ferry operators, stevedoring companies, traffic management organisations, security providers, service partners, and passengers all depend on the same operational flow.
In the presentation "Controlling Complex Port Operations: Lessons from Ferry Terminal Turku" during the second seminar day, Hanna Roihuvaara and Mike Karjagin of Weasel Port Solutions (WPS) will use Ferry Terminal Turku as a practical example of how a new type of shared ferry terminal environment is being developed and what operational requirements this creates.
The presentation will focus on topics including the need for a shared situational awareness, the management of passenger and vehicle flows, and cooperation between the many stakeholders that depend on one another within the terminal environment. It will also address challenges that need to be solved and lessons learned from Ferry Terminal Turku that can be applied in other ferry and RoPax terminal environments.
"Efficient port traffic requires more than isolated systems. When passenger and vehicle flows, as well as operational information, are brought together into one integrated whole, managing port operations becomes easier and the journey becomes smoother for everyone, from holiday travellers to business passengers and professional freight drivers," says Hanna Roihuvaara, Marketing and Communications Manager at Weasel Port Solutions.
Shadow Fleet Raises Safety Questions in the Baltic Sea
During the second seminar day, Captain Mikael Hildén of AMH Maritime will moderate a panel discussion on the shadow fleet. Panellists include Lieutenant Commander Pekka Niittylä from the West Finland Coast Guard District.
The discussion will provide an opportunity to examine the shadow fleet from multiple perspectives and address issues relating to safety, surveillance, and the future development of traffic in the Baltic Sea.
The term shadow fleet is used for vessels that operate outside established international shipping structures in various ways. This may include ships used to circumvent sanctions and transport Russian oil. Hildén notes, however, that not all vessels associated with the shadow fleet can automatically be regarded as unsafe.
One of the most widely discussed concerns is the risk of accidents and oil spills. The Baltic Sea is a sensitive marine environment with intense traffic, meaning that a major accident could have significant consequences.
Hildén stresses the importance of distinguishing between actual risks and assumptions.
"It is easy to think that just because a vessel belongs to the shadow fleet, it is automatically dangerous. It is not that simple."
The term shadow fleet became widely used in connection with Russia's oil exports following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Aboa Mare Supports Mercy Ships' Work in Developing Countries
One of the participating organisations is the international non-profit organisation Mercy Ships. Mercy Ships provides free life-saving healthcare and surgical treatment in developing countries where access to healthcare services is limited. The organisation operates largely through volunteers. Aboa Mare supports its important work by donating 10 per cent of the fair's revenue to the organisation.
About the Maritime Fair
The Maritime Fair is organised by Aboa Mare. The main sponsor is Promarine Ltd, while Marpro serves as the fair's media and cooperation partner.
Further information about the fair and seminar programme, including a full list of exhibitors and detailed schedules for both days, is available at:
https://aboamare.fi/maritime-fair-2026
Opening Hours
29 October: 09:00-17:00
30 October: 09:00-15:00
Free admission to both the exhibition and seminar programme.
Venue
Auriga Business Center, Aboa Mare
Hertig Johans Parkgata 21
20100 Turku, Finland
A limited number of parking spaces are available for visitors. Please consider using public transport whenever possible.
Further Information
Maarit Valsi
Marketing and Communications Manager
Email: maarit.valsi@aboamare.fi
Phone: +358 50 300 6621