The Team Finland network is organizing a Business Delegation visit to Quebec, Canada (5 March 2024) and Washington D.C. and Norfolk Virginia, the United States (6-8 March 2024), led by Mr. Wille Rydman, Minister of Economic Affairs. The focus sector of this delegation is maritime, ports, energy, offshore wind, and technology industries.
North American shipyards enjoy record high order books. US and Canadian shipyards have historically strongest order books on newbuilds, refits and ship repair work. The shipyards strive progress toward more effective and efficient shipbuilding. Seaports on the American East coast are expanding and making investments in increased capacity and green transition. United States is investing 17 billion USD into modernizing the infrastructure at ports in inland waterways.
The US Inflation Reduction Act addresses climate change and will invest over 300 billion USD in energy security, greenhouse gas emission reduction, energy storage, clean energy, renewables, solar and wind energy. North American offshore wind sector is picking up as the United States aims to build 30 GW new offshore wind capacity by 2030. Energy transition, electrification and new energy sources are highly topical. Read more about why the USA and Canada.
The delegation program will start in Quebec, Canada where the delegation will visit the Davie Shipyard, that recently announced the acquisition of Helsinki Shipyard. The delegation’s program will continue in Washington D.C. with meetings with maritime and port policy makers. The delegation will then visit selected shipyards and ports in Norfolk, Virginia, including a visit to the port of Virginia, the third largest port on the United States’ East coast. The port of Virginia is investing in significant growth, green transition, hybrid and electric cranes and vehicles and new energy solutions. The delegation will also visit the new offshore wind port in Norfolk, the Portsmouth Marine Terminal.
The delegation will meet with the management and decision makers, technical buyers, and design departments of the shipyards, ports, and industries. The goal of the meetings will be to learn about current and upcoming projects, local content requirements, national grants, and programs, as well as present Finnish companies’ products, services, and solutions to the technical teams of the shipyards and ports. The shipyards to be visited are involved in building or subcontracting ice-going, commercial or navy vessels. The shipyards have been selected based on their vessel types, current and upcoming projects, clientele, activity level, size and orderbooks.
Kindly note that participation is limited to 12 companies (max. 2 participants per company) on a first-come - first served basis. Note that each company representative needs to register for the visit individually.
Who should attend?
Finnish companies and research organizations focusing on shipbuilding, ship design, marine technology, arctic shipping solutions, subcontracting, offshore wind, vessel technology, ports and logistics, energy solutions, electrification, hydrogen as well as technology industry are strongly encouraged to participate.
We are closely following the COVID-19 travel restrictions and upcoming changes related to them. Kindly note that all delegates are required to have proof of two vaccinations to be able to take part in the visit program.
To cover the costs of arranging the visit to Canada and the USA, Business Finland will charge a participation fee. The participation fee has been divided per country and it is possible to choose in which country(ies) you would like to participate in, through the registration.
To cover the expenses of arranging the visit to Canada during 5 March 2024, Business Finland will charge a participation fee.
- Micro businesses and SMEs: EUR 810 + 24% VAT per person
- Major companies: EUR 950 + 24% VAT per person
To cover the expenses of arranging the visit to the USA during 6-8 March 2024, Business Finland will charge a participation fee.
- Micro businesses and SMEs: EUR 1615 + 24% VAT per person
- Major companies: EUR 1900 + 24% VAT per person
Business Finland will invoice the participation fee after the visit based on the actual costs. The invoiced fee will not exceed the amounts mentioned above. Kindly note that the participation fee does not include flights or accommodation of the participant nor meals outside the business delegation program.
