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Work in the marine industry is meaningful and international

The marine industry is an international field that is highly important to the promotion of sustainable development. Bettina Laine works as a Project Manager at Valmet. Her work contributes to minimising the sulphur emissions of ships, for instance.

The nature and content of work in the marine industry have changed in recent years. Nowadays the industry is driven by digitalisation and new environment-related technology, along with traditional shipbuilding. The adoption of environmentally friendly technology also has a direct positive impact on costs: for instance, it reduces energy requirements.

Towards emissions-free shipping
 
The marine industry can offer more solutions for environmental technology and cleantech expertise, for instance.

One of the things that makes the work meaningful for Bettina Laine (on the left in the picture) is that it plays a key role in tackling climate change.

At Valmet, Laine works on automation and marine scrubbers that reduce sulphur emissions. Scrubbers clean the flue gases of ships, eliminating sulphur to prevent its emission into the sea or air.

“This is very timely work – the Global Sulphur Cap will come into force next year, obligating ships worldwide to implement either scrubbers or low-sulphur fuels,” Laine says.

New experts required to find solutions for environmental requirements

Increasingly stringent responsibility requirements shape work in the industry. New experts are required to find solutions for the international environmental requirements set for shipping and bodies of water. Internationally, the Finnish marine industry has a central role in promoting sustainable development.

“As part of the industry, Finland has for a long time worked to take the wellbeing of the environment and marine ecosystem into consideration. Changes and decision-making processes have traditionally been slow. The pace of change has now accelerated due to greater awareness and stricter environmental regulations. We want to be forerunners in the industry,” says Elina Andersson, Secretary General of Finnish Marine Industries.

International operations and sustainable development go hand in hand
 
The outlook for the future of the marine industry is good. In future, there will be an even greater need for shipping to transport goods efficiently. Environmental regulations also create new opportunities for developing the field and open up new business opportunities.

“New technologies such as scrubbers are examples of ecological solutions that have a tangible impact on the wellbeing of the seas and environment,” says Laine.
 
The marine industry is not just a field engaged in sustainable development with a bright outlook for its future – it is also international. The international nature of Laine’s work is evident in her team, communications, the international operations of her employer and, of course, its customers, which are located around the world.

“The international nature of the field is also integrally connected to promoting sustainable development. For instance, cooperation visibly influences the international regulations that bind all of us who operate on the seas,” says Laine.