Europe’s maritime sector is entering a decisive decade. Fleet modernisation, decarbonisation and digital resilience are rapidly becoming essential to maintaining Europe’s global competitiveness and securing the long-term sustainability of its maritime industries.

This dialogue takes place at a particularly timely moment, following the recent adoption of the EU Industrial Maritime Strategy, which underscores the strategic importance of strengthening Europe’s maritime industrial capacity and accelerating the transformation of its fleet and maritime value chains.

Estonia is a maritime nation with long-standing maritime traditions and an active role in Europe’s maritime sector. Through the initiative “Estonian Centre for Maritime Retrofit”, Estonian Maritime Academy brings internationally recognised expertise in maritime technologies, retrofit solutions and digital innovation to strengthen Europe’s technological resilience and support a competitive and sustainable maritime transition.

This high-level dialogue in Brussels will bring together policymakers, industry leaders and research organisations to explore how maritime retrofit can become a strategic pillar of Europe’s green and digital transition and how a coordinated European competence base can support large-scale maritime transformation.

Preliminary Agenda

13:15-14:00 Pre networking & Welcome Coffee

14:00-14:15 Opening Remarks 

• Jaak Viilipus, CEO, Estonian Maritime Cluster
• Helen Kaljuläte, Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia to the Kingdom of Belgium and Grand Duchy of Luxembourg 
• Maive Rute, Deputy Director General, DG GROW 

14:15-14:30 Keynote: “Europe’s need for a coordinated maritime retrofit capability”

• Kristjan Truu, Vice Minister, Ministry of Climate of Estonia 

14:30-15:10 Strategic Overview of the EC MaRe Initiative 

• Roomet Leiger, Director, Estonian Maritime Academy
  “European-level rationale for sustainable maritime development”
• Dr. Ulla Pirita Tapaninen, Tenured Full Professor, Head of Research Group - Maritime Transport Research Group: Estonian Maritime Academy
  “Ship retrofit strategies and maritime policy support for cleaner, more efficient operations”
• Dr. Pentti Kujala, Tenured Full Professor, Head of Research Group - Waterways Safety Management: Estonian Maritime Academy
  “Safe and clean maritime technologies: Enhancing environmental and operational performance”
• Dr. Sanja Bauk, Tenured Associate Professor, Head of Centre - Centre for Maritime Cybersecurity: Estonian Maritime Academy
  “Maritime cybersecurity: Strengthening resilience in an increasingly digital sector”
• Raido Lember, Estonian Maritime Cluster, Co-founder and member of the Management Board
  “Industry perspectives and partnership opportunities in sustainable and digital maritime development”

15:10-15:30 Coffee Break

15:30-16:30 Panel Discussion: Accelerating Europe’s Maritime Economy Through Retrofit, Innovation and Policy
The discussion will explore how retrofit, digital resilience, and policy alignment can drive competitiveness, sustainability, and safety across Europe’s shipping and port operations.
Moderator: Jaak Viilipus, CEO, Estonian Maritime Cluster 
Panelists: 

• Kristjan Truu, Vice Minister, Ministry of Climate of Estonia
• Raido Lember, Estonian Maritime Cluster, Co-founder and member of the Management Board 
• Luisa Puccio, Senior Director, Shipping Policy and Communications, European Community Shipowners Association (ECSA)
• Anders Öster, General Manager, Research Coordinator and Funding, Wärtsila 
• Dr. Ulla Pirita Tapaninen, Tenured Full Professor, Head of Research Group - Maritime Transport Research Group: Estonian Maritime Academy 
• Annika Kroon, Head of Unit, DG MOVE, European Commission
• Christophe Tytgat, Secretary General, Sea Europe (Shipyards’ and Maritime Equipment Association)

16:30-16:45 Closing Remarks
16:45-18.00 Reception and Networking