Bridging seas and minds: Swiss students set sail with Finnlines

What happens, when maritime passion meets academic curiosity? Finnlines welcomed a group of 60 students from Switzerland’s BZLU College of Higher Education in Tourism Management and Business Administration aboard the Finnlady.

Their visit formed part of the StudyTrip@Sea, a unique learning journey curated by maritime expert Thomas P. Illes, which for the third time in a row blended classroom insights with real-world experience at sea.

From the shore to the ship

The programme set sail in the elegant setting of the Maritim Strandhotel Travemünde, where the students were first introduced to the multifaceted world of shipping and maritime business. A panel discussion kicked off the trip, moderated by Thomas P. Illes and joined by Thomas Liedl, General Manager of the Strandhotel Travemünde, Stefan Krüllmann, Chair of The Nautical Institute Germany, and Benoît Surin, Sales, Marketing & Customer Service Manager at Finnlines Germany.

The conversation delved into leadership, intercultural collaboration and the evolving expectations of Generation Z, emphasising that professional fulfilment today often stems from purpose, flexibility and teamwork. For many of the students, it was their first encounter with the world of ro-pax and maritime operations.

Turning a ship into a classroom

After the insightful discussion, the group boarded the Star class vessel Finnlady operating between Travemünde and Helsinki. On board, they were welcomed by Master Pekka Stenvik and Purser Markus Jussila, who opened a behind-the-scenes view of daily life and leadership at sea. Through interactive sessions on Bridge and Crew Resource Management (BRM/CRM), safety and sustainability, the students gained a tangible understanding of what it takes to keep a ship (and its crew) running smoothly.

These experiences demonstrated how teamwork, communication and shared responsibility translate seamlessly between the bridge and the boardroom. The maritime environment provided an ideal stage to reflect on decision-making under pressure, structured communication and trust.

Education meets experience

The study trip also offered Finnlines the opportunity to showcase its forwardlooking vision. Frauke Werner, Capacity & Yield Manager at Finnlines Germany accompanied the group on their way to Helsinki. She presented our ambitious investment programme, introducing the new Hansa Superstar class vessels, which will enter service from 2028. These next-generation ro-pax ships embody our commitment to sustainability, efficiency
and passenger comfort, setting new standards for Baltic Sea transport.

By engaging directly with young professionals, Finnlines not only opened its decks to learning but also built bridges between industry and academia.

A journey of inspiration

Within just six days, they explored four cities around the Baltic: from Travemünde to Helsinki, Stockholm and Tallinn. Traveling with some other ferry operators in the Northern Baltics, they were able to compare three distinct maritime concepts: ro-pax ferry, cruise ferry and high-speed shuttle.

For Finnlines, the collaboration exemplified how maritime transport extends far beyond moving passengers or
cargo. It is about connecting generations, fostering learning and inspiring the next wave of professionals, who will carry the industry forward.