More than 45 participants gathered in Helsinki, Finland, from 23-25 September 2026 for the International Christian Maritime Association (ICMA) Northern Europe Regional Meeting. Hosted in partnership with the Finnish Seamen’s Church (Suomen Merimieskirkko), the three-day meeting brought together chaplains, ship visitors, maritime welfare professionals, church leaders, academics, government representatives, and industry partners from across Northern Europe.
The meeting provided an important opportunity to renew friendships and strengthen cooperation while considering some of the most pressing challenges affecting seafarers. Throughout the programme, particular attention was given to safety and security in the Baltic Sea, ministry amid geopolitical conflict, deaths at sea, and the growing problem of seafarer abandonment.
The programme began at Helsinki’s Vuosaari port, where participants were welcomed by ICMA General Secretary Dr. Jason Zuidema, Sanna Rasi of the Finnish Seamen’s Church, and Finnish Seamen’s Church Secretary-General Hannu Suihkonen. Aleksi Uttula of Traficom opened the substantive programme with a presentation on the shadow fleet, geopolitics, and seafarer safety in the Baltic Sea. Petteri Salli of the Finnish Border Guard and Jessica Troberg of Meriaura continued the discussion from the perspectives of maritime security, preparedness, crewing, and the safety of those working aboard ships.
These discussions were especially timely given the changing security environment in Northern Europe. They also demonstrated the importance of dialogue between maritime ministries and the government and industry partners responsible for different aspects of seafarers’ safety and wellbeing.
On Thursday morning, the focus moved more directly to the work of seafarers’ missions during times of conflict and distress. Pastor Matthias Ristau of Deutsche Seemannsmission moderated two workshop sessions featuring contributions from Rev. JP Mokgethi-Heath of Malmö Seafarers’ Chaplaincy and Rev. Frank Skofteland, Frode Hove, and Åshild Sande of Sjømannskirken. Participants reflected together on how geopolitical tensions and wars affected seafarers personally and considered the principles that should guide Christian maritime ministry in such circumstances.
The meeting also allowed participants to experience maritime Helsinki firsthand. The group toured the Vuosaari Seafarers’ Centre and later travelled into central Helsinki for a memorable visit aboard the Finnish icebreaker Polaris. Further sessions introduced participants to the work of the Seafarers’ Pension Fund, with Marina Paulaharju, and the Finnish Seamen’s Service, with CEO Inka Kanerva.
One of the highlights of the entire gathering was evening prayer at Helsinki’s remarkable Temppeliaukio Church, commonly known as the Rock Church. Carved directly into granite bedrock, the church provided an extraordinary setting in which the regional community could worship together. Bishop Bo-Göran Åstrand of the Diocese of Borgå offered the homily. ICMA was particularly grateful to Bishop Teemu Laajasalo and Töölö Parish for making this wonderful worship experience possible.
The final morning turned to two difficult welfare issues. Dr. Jason Zuidema presented on “Deaths at Sea: Statistics and Support,” considering what available data revealed-and failed to reveal-about seafarer deaths. Dr. Khanssa Lagdami of the World Maritime University then addressed “Seafarers’ Abandonment: Scope, Root Causes, and Practical Response.” Their presentations led into a wider discussion about how maritime welfare organizations could respond effectively to seafarers and families facing these situations. Dr Amit Sharma of TalTech shared his experience as a seafarer and how effective research should consider more closely the human experience on board.
The Rev’d Mark Nestlehutt, Chair of the ICMA Trustees and President and Executive Director of The Seamen’s Church Institute, offered concluding reflections. Drawing on what he had heard throughout the meeting, he emphasized the importance of relationships – from the very personal relationships between chaplains and individual seafarers to the wider partnerships ICMA members build with churches, governments, industry, and international organizations.
The success of the meeting owed much to the exceptional hospitality of the Finnish Seamen’s Church. ICMA offered particular thanks to Sanna Rasi and Jaakko Laasio, whose work before and throughout the gathering helped make the programme possible. From transportation and visits to meeting arrangements and the delicious food shared throughout the three days, participants experienced generous Finnish hospitality.
ICMA also gratefully acknowledged the partners and sponsors who supported the gathering, including the Finnish Seamen’s Church, ITF Seafarers’ Trust, The TK Foundation, Finnlines, and the Seafarers’ Pension Fund.