BSPC Rapporteurs on Integrated Maritime Policy

As maritime trade, climate pressures, and geopolitical challenges converge, the Baltic Sea region faces a critical turning point. In his new report “Shipping in the Baltic Sea: Where We Stand and What Comes Next” , BSPC Rapporteur on Integrated Maritime Policy and President of Ålands Lagting, Jörgen Pettersson , outlines the strategic choices ahead for the region’s policymakers. Presented in preparation of the 34 th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference in Mariehamn on 24-26 August, the 2025 report provides a compelling, data-driven overview of the major transformations under way — from emerging energy demands and shadow fleet operations to digital port innovation, green shipping corridors, and the integration of carbon capture solutions. Structured into six thematic chapters and grounded in both local realities and global forecasts, the report highlights how the Baltic Sea can remain a model of resilience, sustainability, and innovation — but only if current momentum is sustained. Five clear and practical recommendations urge BSPC members to: Put security first, Make sustainability the standard, Think in systems, not silos, Accelerate the modal shift, and Champion digital innovation. With climate goals tightening and maritime infrastructure under growing pressure, the report calls on all actors to align national and regional strategies — to future-proof shipping, ensure energy resilience, and reinforce the Baltic Sea as a zone of cooperation, not confrontation. Access the Full Report: We invite policymakers, maritime industry stakeholders, environmental organisations, and the public to download and explore the complete “Maritime Rapporteur’s Report” to consider the strategic measures and collaborative efforts essential for the ongoing transformation of the Baltic Sea maritime sector. The Report can be downloaded here and on the Rapporteur’s webpage . Stay tuned to our website and follow our exclusive content related to various BSR-relevant policy fields.

The BSPC’s Rapporteur on Integrated Maritime Policy MP Jörgen Pettersson, President of the Åland Lagting, has issued his comprehensive Report 2023 – 2024 on Developments in Integrated Maritime Policy. The report again underlines the importance of maritime issues and challenges in the BSPC’s work. It provides an in-depth analysis of the maritime sector’s current state and future directions in the Baltic Sea. This comprehensive report, spearheaded by our long-standing and experienced maritime rapporteur, Jörgen Pettersson, president of the Aland Lagting, delves into critical aspects of the marine industry and offers strategic insights for sustainable and competitive development, highlighting recent developments and future directions. It emphasises the region’s status as a vital maritime area facing economic, environmental, and security challenges. Key areas addressed in the IMP include emission reduction, competitiveness, maritime transport, port infrastructure, maritime safety, maritime spatial planning, the impact of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) on shipping, and risks related to the Russian “shadow fleet.” The report underscores the importance of collaboration among BSPC member states, industry stakeholders, and regulatory bodies to achieve sustainable and competitive goals for the marine sector in the Baltic Sea region. Access the Full Report: We invite policymakers, maritime industry stakeholders, environmental organisations, and the public to download and explore the complete “Maritime Rapporteur’s Report” to consider the strategic measures and collaborative efforts essential for the ongoing transformation of the Baltic Sea maritime sector. The Report can be downloaded here and on the Rapporteur’s webpage . Stay tuned to our website and follow our exclusive content related to various BSR-relevant policy fields.

The BSPC’s Rapporteurs on Integrated Maritime Policy, MP Philipp da Cunha and MP Jörgen Pettersson have issued their comprehensive Report 2022 – 2023 on Developments in Integrated Maritime Policy. The report once again underlines the crucial importance of maritime issues and challenges in the BSPC’s work. It summarises – in addition to the oral report during the 31 st BSPC – the developments in the Integrated Maritime Policy since the 30 th BSPC. It informs about the Maritime Rapporteurs’ activities, important conferences, and events over the past two years. The Report focuses on energy and security issues and infrastructural and environmental aspects of maritime policy. It also presents legislative developments and overarching elements. The Report again addresses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Maritime policy and the Maritime economy and refers to the effects of Russia’s brutal war of aggression against Ukraine. Significant attention is being directed towards several key sectors, namely cruise shipping, shipyards, supply chains and the twin green and digital transition. Emerging sectors, such as the Blue Bioeconomy, are also discussed. The report also addresses ocean governance, with the EU’s commitment to conserve and sustain marine biodiversity. The Report can be downloaded here and on the Rapporteur’s webpage .

In addition to the oral Report given during the 30 th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference on August 30, the BSPC’s Rapporteurs on Integrated Maritime Policy, MP Jochen Schulte and MP Jörgen Pettersson have issued their comprehensive Report 2021 on Developments in the field of Integrated Maritime Policy. The Report underlines once more the crucial importance that the BSPC attaches to Maritime policy issues and challenges. It summarizes the developments in the Integrated Maritime Policy since the 29 th BSPC, informs about the Maritime Rapporteurs’ activities and important conferences that have taken place throughout the past year. Like in previous years, the Report focuses on Blue Growth, energy, infrastructure, and environmental aspects of maritime policy, including ocean governance and research. One focus is laid again on autonomous ships in future years and on improving air because of the Sulphur directive. It also presents legislative developments concerning Blue Growth and overarching aspects. The Report again addresses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Maritime policy and the Maritime economy and mentions the massive economic implications expressly by disrupted global delivery chains and the decreased number of cruise guests by 99% in 2020. The current Report also refers to consequences of Brexit and the ‘dual transition’. The Report can be downloaded here and on the Rapporteur’s webpage .

In addition to the statements given during the digital 29 th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference on August 24, the BSPC’s Rapporteurs on Integrated Maritime Policy, MP Jochen Schulte and MP Jörgen Pettersson have issued their comprehensive Report 2020 on Developments in the field of Integrated Maritime Policy. The Report underlines the crucial importance that the BSPC attaches to Maritime policy issues and challenges. It summarizes the developments in the Integrated Maritime Policy since the 28 th BSPC, informs about the activities of the Maritime Rapporteurs and important conferences which have taken place throughout the past year. Like in previous years, the Report is focusing on Blue Growth, energy, infrastructure and environmental aspects of maritime policy, also including ocean governance and research. One focus is laid on autonomous ships in future years as on the improvement of air as a result of the Sulphur directive. It also presents legislative developments concerning Blue Growth and overarching aspects. Furthermore, the Report addresses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Maritime policy and the Maritime economy. The Report can be downloaded here and on the Rapporteurs’ webpage.

In preparation of the 28 th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference in Oslo on 25 – 27 August 2019, the BSPC’s Rapporteurs on Integrated Maritime Policy, MP Jochen Schulte and MP Jörgen Pettersson have issued their report on developments in the field of Integrated Maritime Policy. The report summarizes the developments in the Integrated Maritime Policy since the 27 th BSPC, informs about the activities of the Maritime Rapporteurs and number of important conferences which have taken place throughout the past year and presents legislative developments with regard to Blue Growth and overarching aspects, energy-related aspects as well as infrastructural and environmental aspects of maritime policy including climate protection. The Report can be downloaded here and on the Rapporteurs’ webpage.