The European Boating Industry (EBI) is launching a new Baltic Sea Boating Forum at the Helsinki International Boat Show next month.
The Forum, set for Friday, 13 February, will focus on environmental responsibility and the future of recreational boating in the Baltic Sea.
Organised as part of the event’s Baltic Sea Day and backed by the Finnish Marine Industries Federation (Finnboat), the initiative aims to create a permanent space for dialogue between industry, policymakers and civil society.
“This new platform will align recreational boating with marine protection, sustainability, and regional cooperation,” said EBI in a statement.
The Forum will also support the goals of the Baltic Sea Action Plan by HELCOM—the Helsinki Commission—which includes measures specifically targeting recreational boating.
Speakers at the inaugural event include Sari Multala, Finland’s Minister of Climate and the Environment, and Rüdiger Strempel, Executive Secretary of HELCOM.
The session will be moderated by EBI Secretary-General Philip Easthill and will include a panel discussion featuring regional policymakers, industry leaders, and user group representatives.
Key topics will include boating’s contribution to environmental targets, innovation, and the sector’s role in sustainable tourism and economic growth.
The Forum is intended to become an annual fixture and ensure that recreational boating remains actively represented in policymaking across the Baltic Sea region.
