The image of Estonian maritime sector companies as strong, high-quality shipbuilders is well-known today. “We still have a long way to go to become the number one choice for any shipbuilder or owner starting a new project and selecting suppliers,” said Argo Sildvee, the maritime leader of 2024. Sildvee reviewed the year 2024 and discussed the future of the Estonian maritime sector in 2025.

At the end of the year, awards were presented to the top performers in the Estonian maritime sector. Argo Sildvee received the Maritime Leader of the Year title for enhancing Estonia’s international reputation as a maritime nation and for his leadership at the Estonian Marine and Manufacturing Initiative (EMI).

“The entire EMI membership and I are deeply grateful and proud of this recognition. It fosters even greater trust and provides a quality endorsement for our activities internationally,” Sildvee expressed joy over the award.

“Our goal is to be part of the next 5-7 years of the shipbuilding boom. It has been calculated that alone, 6 billion euros will be spent on interior work in the maritime sector in the coming years. We desire to take the maximum from this.”
Argo Sildvee, founder of EMI

“When we established EMI in April 2021, our primary goal was to raise our producers to the forefront of the industry, eliminating the need for intermediaries. We are proud to have become the leading Estonian hub in the cruise shipbuilding industry. Shipowners, architects, and builders know us well, and, most importantly, they have a strong interest in Estonian producers,” stated Sildvee.

The ultramarathon to increase recognition continues

Sildvee stated that enhancing Estonia’s reputation as a maritime nation is an ongoing ultramarathon. The goal is to assist Estonian companies, which have established themselves at the top of the value chain, in securing partnership agreements with some of the world’s largest shipowners, including Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Disney Corporation, and others.

Since large shipowners also own luxurious hotels and islands, Sildvee said various cooperation projects related to hotels and restaurants are also targeted. “Through our activities, the first large cruise ships and luxury yachts will also arrive here, which will be rebuilt and modernised on-site. This is supported today by a 25 million euro measure put together by the Ministry of Climate,” he explained.

According to Sildvee, the first cruise ship could be refitted in Estonia in 2025. “Our goal is to be part of the next 5-7 years of the shipbuilding boom. It has been calculated that alone, 6 billion euros will be spent on interior work in the maritime sector in the coming years. We desire to take the maximum from this,” he said.

Sildvee also expects advancements in calculating the CO₂ footprint in 2025: “So that we can show shipowners Estonia as the first hub in the world where they can get the real CO₂  footprint value when they order products and services from Estonia.”

EMI will continue collaborating with Enterprise Estonia and various ministries this year to grow the global recognition of the Estonian maritime sector. The organisation plans to participate in international fairs, including CSI Miami and CSI Hamburg. Additionally, in late August, the EMI Golf Open 2025 will bring top names from the sector to Estonia.

The green transition creates opportunities for the Estonian maritime sector

According to Sildvee, there are many excellent service and product providers in Estonia with whom to conquer the world or bring the world to Estonia. “For example, SRC Methanol Superstorage, ShoreLink shore connections, Elcogen and H2Electro technologies,” Sildvee mentioned. He also highlighted the superyacht and boat manufacturer Ridas Yachts and the company ScandicPump. “Of course, one of my favourites is RayFoil, which does wonders in the world,” selling the world’s lightest electric surfboards, Sildvee emphasised.

However, there are also challenges in the Estonian maritime sector. “Estonia is no longer a cheap production country due to our recent tax changes, so we need to find new angles on why a client should come here,” he said.

ESG: In business, sustainability is described through three dimensions – Environmental, Social and Governance, or ESG principles.

“If the state offered clearer support and created more diverse funding opportunities, companies could calmly look at more distant markets, send their exciting products across borders, and thus grow both international visibility and profit,” he pointed out another bottleneck.

He sees opportunities for Estonia in ESG-related topics, which will be one of the most critical topics in shipbuilding in the coming years. Both could benefit if the state and the private sector worked hand in hand on sustainability and green economy topics. According to him, creating a real value chain for the circular economy is also a topic currently unresolved in the maritime world and would be worth addressing.

“We need to learn to sell better, maintain relationships with clients better, and Estonian companies need to cooperate better,” he emphasised.

EMI has grown out of newcomer status

According to Argo Sildvee, 2024 was a turning point for EMI. “We have reached a point where international clients come directly to us and want to know more about Estonian manufacturing and service companies,” he said. The organisation no longer needs to sell itself as a newcomer at international fairs and conferences. “Our members are known as strong and reliable players in the world market,” Sildvee rejoiced.

This, in turn, has made the organisation grow. “In October, we welcomed CEO Andres Madissoo, whose role is to structure and improve EMI’s activities,” Sildvee explained. A project manager was hired for communication and sales work with international clients, and more new employees will be recruited this year.

Today, EMI members include more than 20 Estonian companies, including Hektor Light, Standard, SRC Group, Plaat Detail, Marmi Futerno, CF&S, and SunShip Interiors.

GOOD TO KNOW

The most significant achievements of EMI members over the years:

• EMI, the Estonian Marine and Manufacturing Initiative, was established in April 2021.
• In 2023, the organisation helped bring the major international producer Marahrens Group to Estonia, which acquired a stake in the EMI member company AdFactory. This partnership opened doors for AdFactory to enter the global maritime market.
• The organisation participated in two highly successful trade fairs, CSI Miami and CSI London. Additionally, there was a successful participation in the SMM Fair in cooperation with Enterprise Estonia. Through these fairs, millions of euros worth of contracts have been secured for Estonia, as confirmed by various EMI members.
• Organising two summits in Estonia, attended by a team from Tillberg Design Sweden and the purchasing manager of Carnival Corporation. The goal of both delegations was to get acquainted with the capabilities of Estonian producers.
• Contract with one of the largest cruise ship owners in the world.
• Growth in the export capacity of Estonian entrepreneurs and EMI members.

Source: EMI

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