Miapetra Kumpula-Natri, the new Chair of the Port of Helsinki’s Board of Directors, is excited by the prospect of reconciling major national and global challenges with a good life for Helsinki citizens.

Last summer, Miapetra Kumpula-Natri was navigating along the Helsinki coastline in her motorboat. She had just returned to Finland after ten years as a Member of the European Parliament, and wanted to get reacquainted with the city.

“I’ve always felt good by the sea,” says Kumpula-Natri.

She was first elected as a Member of Parliament back in 2003. In 2025, Kumpula-Natri also became a member of Helsinki City Council. The City Council’s composition is also reflected in the Port of Helsinki’s Board of Directors, as the City owns the port. Council members Vesa Korkkula and Jaana Pelkonen were also elected to the Board. Otso Kivekäs will continue as Vice-Chair. The Board of Directors also includes Jouni Ahrela, Heikki Allonen, Heikki Pursiainen and Ulla Tapaninen.

“I’ve long kept an eye on Finland while I’ve been in Brussels. As a new urban policymaker, I wanted to bring my understanding of the big picture to the issues that matter to Helsinki citizens,” says Kumpula-Natri.

She has long been involved in EU policymaking on energy, business and foreign trade. She currently serves as Vice-Chair of Parliament’s Grand Committee. She also has decades of experience in local politics and corporate boardwork.

“We have a great Board at the Port of Helsinki, with a huge variety of expertise from safety and security to maritime economics. I’m proud to be given the chance to lead it.” There are large investments and major themes on the table: safety and security, security of supply and the country’s economy are all mentioned.

Not a bottleneck

The Port of Helsinki is the main port for Finland’s foreign trade: a significant proportion of the value of the country’s maritime imports and exports passes through Helsinki.

“It’s linked to both Finland’s economy as a whole and the country’s success.”

It’s hoped that economic growth will pick up in Finland. The port must not be a bottleneck when this occurs.

“I’d also like to remind everyone that we do have very well-functioning ports. That in itself requires a huge amount of work.”

There are major themes on the stable.

Kumpula-Natri says that AI-based solutions will become more common, and cybersecurity must be addressed alongside them. There are also major development projects ahead in the West Harbour and Katajanokka. Vuo­saari Harbour will be expanded after the development programme for central ports has been completed.

Developments at the port are connected not only to the country’s economy, but also to the growth of its capital city and the smooth running of everyday life. How will heavy traffic be handled near schools and daycare centres? How can you operate a large logistics node, such as a port, in harmony with daily urban life? And the Port of Helsinki is not just about logistics – it is also part of the city’s identity.

“I want to be practically involved in shaping the kind of city Helsinki is.”