Today, a National Agenda for Maritime Research and Innovation was presented to Minister for Business, Industry and Innovation Ibrahim Baylan. The agenda, which is a joint position from the Swedish shipping sector, explains how a larger investment in shipping R & D, in addition to helping to save the climate and environment, can also help secure the country's supply and provide the right conditions for the export industry.

“I am very pleased that you are leaning forward and that you want to change. It should not be underestimated in such contexts, especially as not just one but several structural changes are to be implemented. There is a need for digitalization, a need for climate change at the same time as the need for new and changed skills needs to be addressed”, said Minister for Business, Industry and Innovation Ibrahim Baylan at the meeting where several representatives from the shipping sector participated.

Shipping is an important engine for Sweden in general. Today, 90 percent of Sweden's exports and imports runs on water at some point and the Swedish shipping sector has a turnover of SEK 85 billion a year and employs 100,000 Swedes in shipping companies, marine technology companies, ports, authorities, academia, etc.

“The most important thing in developing the national research and innovation agenda is that the entire Swedish shipping industry has gathered around a document that describes the exciting challenges of the future. The agenda also shows how important it is for our society that the shipping industry is given the opportunity to develop in step with other industries, says Carl-Johan Hagman”, Shipping Manager Stena.

Sweden is one of the countries that is at the forefront of the development of sustainable shipping - both in terms of safety, climate and environment. Therefore, Swedish maritime R&D has high potential to deliver technology and solutions that can not only contribute to a better future globally but that can also generate export revenues and jobs in Sweden. But that requires collaboration and increased funding.

Per Tunell from Wallenius Marine told about the development of the wind-powered car carrier Oceanbird - an example of Swedish successful collaboration between industry, authorities (the Swedish Transport Administration has co-financed), academia and institutes.

"We have received a fantastic response. There have been articles in CNN, Forbes and the World Economic Forum and of course a lot in the Swedish media. But perhaps even more important is that we have received a lot of inquiries from cargo owners, not only in the roro segment that we work in, but also from other cargo owners who wonder when this can become available för our type of transport. This response shows that there is really a great demand for this type of solution."

At the meeting with Minister for Business, Industry and Innovation Ibrahim Baylan, the shipping sector was represented by Åsa Burman, director Lighthouse, Harry Robertsson, Technical Director Stena, Rikard Engström, CEO of Swedish Shipping, Pia Sandvik, CEO of RISE, Per Tunell COO Wallenius Marine, Hans Wicklander, Strategic Manager Saab Kockums and Marcus Högblom, Head of Sales & Ports ABB.

The picture: Åsa Burman, director Lighthouse, and Rikard Engström, CEO of Swedish Shipping.

For more information contact:
Åsa Burman, director Lighthouse, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 031-772 2674

On April 14, a webinar will be arranged where the content of NRIA Sjöfart 2021 will be presented and discussed (in swedish).Related content: 

• To the agenda NRIA Sjöfart 2021 (in swedish)
• Register for webinar (in swedish)