Team Finland Business Mission on Shipbuilding to Marseille, South of France

Maritime activity in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur is mainly focused on repair, conversion, and maintenance of passenger transport and commercial vessels, offshore platforms, and LNG vessels, with ship repair yards in Marseille (which has the third-largest ship repair slipway in the world), military vessels in Toulon, and super- and mega-yachts in La Ciotat.

The region is also home to most of the production and research activity related to drones and automated systems but also where major shipowners are headquarted. Overall, the shipbuilding industry represented a total of €3 billion in turnover in 2023. 

Why Participate? 

• Engage with leading French ship repair yards and engineering companies
• Explore collaboration opportunities within the shipyard industry
• Gain valuable insights into the South of France’s dynamic ecosystem
• Strengthen business ties and expand market presence
• Find new business partners

Preliminary program

• Visit and pitch to shipyards (TBC: Marseille Shipyard, La Ciotat Shipyards)
• Meet with shipowners (TBC: CMA-CGM, Compagnie du Ponant)
• Visit Euromaritime, trade fair for the innovative marine industry
• Matchmaking and B2B meetings at the trade fair with French stakeholders (Shipyards, engineering companies, shipowners, etc.)
• Networking and market information session with ecosystem leaders

TAKE A LOOK AT THE PRELIMINARY PROGRAM

Who Should attend? 

This Business Mission is aimed at Finnish companies involved in shipbuilding, repair, and maintenance, including marine technology firms, engineering consultancies, and solution providers.

Key Focus Areas include: 

• Digitalization and automation solutions for dimensional control and weld inspection
• Predictive maintenance models and upgrades for operating vessels
• Robotic solutions for welding of micro panels/blocks
• Digitalization and automation of surface treatment processes
• 3D modeling
• Real-time asset location
• Manufacturing analysis
• Development of efficient ship propulsion systems and alternative fuels
• Hybrid and electric propulsion systems
• Green and Circular solutions for waste minimization and revaluation
• Energy efficiency, with a focus on energy monitoring and regulation systems
• Manufacturing, stabilizer, mantling, and dismantling supports
• Interior repairs and refits
• Digital solutions as a tool for modeling, simulation, design, and management processes

Practicalities and Participation Fee

To cover the expenses related to arranging the business mission in France on February 2–5, 2026, a maximum participation fee will be invoiced as follows:

• Micro Businesses and SMEs: 730 EUR + VAT (25.5) per person
• Major Companies: 850 EUR + VAT (25.5) per person

A 25% discount on the participation fee will be granted for each additional representative from the participating company. The participation fee will be invoiced after the visit, based on the actual costs. The invoiced fee will not exceed the amounts mentioned above. The participation fee does not include flights or accommodation of the delegate nor meals outside the business mission program.