In mid-October, Federico Pirola and Jan Lagast visited the port of Paldiski to explore Estonia’s potential as a strategic maritime hub for European trade. Standing on the Paldiski Pank overlooking the Baltic Sea, Federico looked west toward Sweden, Germany, Denmark, and the North Sea Ports of Rotterdam, Antwerp, and Felixstowe — visualizing the strong logistical link between Estonia and Western Europe.

The visit underscored how Estonia’s maritime infrastructure provides a reliable and efficient connection to Europe’s industrial heart. For too long, Europe has oriented its supply chains toward China and Asia. The current geopolitical climate highlights the need to de-risk international logistics and re-embrace near-shoring within Europe. With high-quality people, efficient ports, and trusted sea routes, Estonia is an ideal alternative. Whenever the overland Silk Route from China via Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, and Poland faces disruption, Paldiski stands ready as a sustainable, European-based alternative.

Federico Pirola will play a key role in this transformation as one of the future leaders within ImpactBuilders Industry, helping European companies become less dependent on other continents and more connected through resilient regional value chains.