KMRC » introduction » seminars » » cooperation » contact information » Research » Projects » Publications » Business »    Kotka Maritime Research Centre Maritime transport and threats to environmental safety have increased substantially on the Gulf of Finland and the Baltic Sea. At the same time the positive economical effects of the growing traffic are more and more important to the area. The City of Kotka is located in South-Eastern Finland, which is bordered by the Baltic Sea and Russia. The City of Kotka is dedicated to promoting maritime transport and marine environmental safety by establishing and supporting a high-standard maritime research centre together with leading Finnish universities. Kotka Maritime Research Centre (KMRC) is a centre of expertise focusing on maritime transport, maritime safety and the marine environment. KMRC was established in 2005 and currently it forms a research unit of about 25 persons. The centre is planned to grow to form a 50 person unit in the next five years. Cutting edge maritime expertise Kotka Maritime Research Centre conducts high level research applied to the conditions of the Gulf of Finland. The research fields are maritime safety, maritime transport, the maritime industry, and the marine environment. The special feature and strength of KMRC is interdisciplinary research with the leading Finnish Universities and partner organisations. The activities of KMRC aim at safeguarding the unique nature values of the Gulf of Finland and Baltic Sea. Improving maritime safety creates prerequisites for the conservation of the marine environment despite rapidly growing traffic. Maritime transport and port operations and their economic impacts are also important areas of research at KMRC. Research creates better conditions for business and strengthens the position of South-Eastern Finland as a competent provider of logistics services. KMRC is built around professorships established with the participating Finnish universities. Each professor leads his/her research group in Kotka. KMRC is formed of the following research groups and support services: Maritime and port operation logistics An important focus of research is maritime transport and port operations as a business. This area of expertise at KMRC consists of two research groups. Professor Ulla Tapaninen from University of Turku, Centre for Maritime Studies leads the Logistics systems of maritime transport -group and Research Director Jorma Rytkönen from Kymenlaakso University of Applied Sciences leads the Maritime and port operations -group. The focal areas of research under these groups are transport flows of maritime traffic, port operations, transit traffic and also ICT-solutions, safety and environmental effects of transport chains. Maritime safety and technological development Professor Pentti Kujala is responsible for the maritime safety group. Professor Kujala belongs administratively to Aalto University. The safety group focuses its research on risk assessment of maritime transport and safety of winter navigation. Environmental impacts of maritime transport and the marine environment Professor Sakari Kuikka (Fisheries Biology, University of Helsinki) leads the environment group at KMRC.The group focuses its research on environmental effects of maritime transport (the effects of oil spills and hazardous substances, effects of fishing, endangered species and on recreational use, transport based emissions) and the marine environment (eutrophication, multidisciplinary risk assessment). Also a part of KMRC are the researchers of Metsähallitus Natural Heritage Services and Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute situated in Kotka. KMRC Support services The core of KMRC is formed by Kotka Maritime Research Association (KMRA), which forms a basis of the research centre. KMRA coordinates the work of KMRC and provides support services for research. The members of Kotka Maritime Research Association are the City of Kotka, Cursor Oy, Kotka Maretarium Oy, Etelä-Kymenlaakso Vocational College, Kymenlaakso University of Applied Sciences, Metsähallitus Natural Heritage Services, Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute and Helsinki University of Technology.