PRESS RELEASE 09.05.2017
Association of Estonian Boatyards became Association of Estonian Marine Industries
Changing the name and expanding the focus is instigated by a rapid development of the sector as well as the expansion of activity fields of the members of the Association.
Expanding its field of activity as decided in May, is not the first one in the history of the Association. Yet in 1997, an organisation was established in Saaremaa to maintain and transfer the traditions of building wooden boats. A rapid development of small craft building and shared interests of businesses brought along the first expansion and the name of the Association of Estonian Boatyards in 2009. Since then the organisation has been a professional association, bringing together almost every small craft building business in Estonia as well as sub-contractors to the sector.
General meeting of the Association of Estonian Boatyards in Mektory on 2nd of May.
Today, the production of surface crafts in Estonia shows a great variety. The growth in the added value of the sector has been one of the fastest in engineering industry in Estonia during the recent decade with 80-90% of the production exported. According to the newly elected Board member of the Association of Estonian Marine Industries, Kristjan Tabri, vessels built in Estonia cannot be called small any further: “Also a considerable volume of equipment and structures for offshore and marine industry is produced here. Sectors associated to ship- and boatbuilding are well developed and product development is increasing locally.”
Development of labour force has become a growing challenge, as in maritime industry Estonia is no longer a cheap labour country. The competitiveness of the sector depends on the capacity of local employees to successfully manage sophisticated projects and work.
The Association of Estonian Marine Industries aims at promoting Estonian ship- and boatbuilding, offshore industry and the related sectors. The Association stands for the interests of Estonian marine industry in public sector and international organisations, coordinates cooperation, joint marketing and image building projects, contributes to the development of the sector-related study programmes and to the popularisation of the professions as well as mediates information related to marine industry.
Changing the name and the Statutes of the Association was decided at a general meeting that took place in the Innovation and Business Centre Mektory of the Tallinn University of Technology on 2nd of May.
Additional information
Board members of the Association of Estonian Marine Industries:
Kristjan Tabri
MEC Insenerilahendused, Partner
Tel +372 509 2585
e-mail kristjan@mec.ee
Peeter Sääsk
Saare Yachts OÜ, CEO
Tel +372 508 7913
e-mail: peeter.saask@saareyachts.com
Anni Hartikainen
TTÜ Small Craft Competence Centre, Head
Tel +372 514 5968
e-mail: anni.hartikainen@ttu.ee
