Text: Elena Sulin  |  Photos: Sauli Ahvenjärvi

The Intelligent Shipping Technology Test Laboratory, ISTLAB, launched in early 2019 received prestigious visits from collaborative partners Traffic Management Finland and the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency. The meetings hosted by Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (SAMK) were influenced by the development needs of the international maritime cluster such as maritime safety, cost efficiency and emission reductions. Needs which ISTLAB aims to answer through the advancement of a unique test laboratory and simulator.

“Both visits by the Traffic Management Finland and the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency of Finland aimed to get the collaborative partners onboard the current circumstances of the test laboratory. Particularly in terms of remote pilotage, a technique chosen as the most effective in enhancing cost efficiency and effectivity,” Sauli Ahvenjärvi, Project Specialist and Principal Lecturer of SAMK, explains.

Representatives from Traffic Management Finland including Jouni Patrakka, Mika Nyrhilä and Juho Pitkänen visited the test laboratory on the 9th of December 2019. During this visit, even Head of Technology of FinnPilot Pilotage Ltd. Vesa-Matti Kantala was present. Finnish Transport and Communications Agency’s representants Waltteri Laine, Jouni Lappalainen, Markku Karkama ja Esa Pasanen followed suite a week later.

“The meetings left us feeling encouraged. The project corresponds with the demands of the industry and the future of maritime development. We are certainly on the right track,” assures Ahvenjärvi.

”The project corresponds with the demands of the industry and the future of maritime development. We are certainly on the right track.”

The track continues long into the future, as planned by Ahvenjärvi. “We meet with project collaborators in order to also map out any future urgencies the maritime cluster might have. While ISTLAB continues to answer current challenges such as cost efficiency, we are already planning way ahead.”

“This is information sharing which goes two-ways. It is in our benefit to inform collaborative partners of the proceedings in the test laboratory while keeping ourselves updated on industry wishes. Research is a constant and ongoing discussion, because we believe in finding real solutions” confirms Ahvenjärvi.