14/05/2026
Rebranding the Latvian maritime sector is not about changing its essence. It is about showing its value in a language today’s generation understands. ⚓
That was one of the key ideas behind the panel discussion “𝗩𝗮𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗮̄𝗿𝘀 𝟮.𝟬: 𝗥𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝘃𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿”, where Māris Cīrulis represented Novikontas and joined a discussion on how Latvia’s maritime sector and maritime education can become more visible, relevant, and attractive to the next generation. 🗣️
Latvia still has what many countries are looking for — highly qualified seafarers, strong maritime education, experienced instructors, and solid technical and training infrastructure.
But the question is: are we showing this clearly enough to young people, parents, schools, and society? 👥
The maritime sector is not only about history, ships, and tradition.
It is also about technology, global careers, safety, logistics, innovation, international mobility, and real professional opportunities. 🚢
To make that visible, the sector needs more than occasional communication. It needs active engagement - through schools, public initiatives, competitions, campaigns, and stronger cooperation with state institutions in maritime transport and education, so that maritime studies and career opportunities remain accessible, relevant, and competitive compared to other fields. 🧭
The challenge of attracting students is real, especially amid demographic change. But Latvia’s maritime education has strong cards to play: professional instructors, modern facilities, and practical learning environments that support high-quality education, attract international students, and continue to prepare highly qualified specialists for shipping companies.
Recognisable and future-oriented projects - from the transformation of Riga Passenger Port to LVR Fleet initiatives, LMT 5G technologies, and other innovation-driven developments - can help show that maritime is not a sector of the past. It is part of Latvia’s future infrastructure, economy, and international presence. ⚙️
We do not need to abandon maritime history, but we cannot keep presenting the sector as if time has stopped. 🔄
The image of Latvian maritime must evolve.
More modern. More visible. More understandable to young people. More connected to real career opportunities. 🌊
Novikontas was glad to contribute to this discussion through Māris Cīrulis and to be part of a wider conversation on how Latvian maritime education and careers should be presented today. 🤝
Thank you to all participants — Ilze Stangaine from LSC, Edijs Štāls from RTU Latvian Maritime Academy, and Elīna Dimza from RTU Liepāja Maritime College — for such an engaging and valuable discussion.
