Konsta Weber takes charge of the port company’s board

The new Chairman is a 42-year-old Master of Science (Business Administration) in International Business with a Master of Arts in translating and interpreting German. Konsta Weber has held several positions of trust in the City of Turku organisation. He is a third-term Green League councilman and member of, for example, the Board of the Turku 2029 Foundation and the Regional Council. He also works as the Head of Business Development at a start-up company.

Konsta Weber steps into the Board of the port company at an interesting stage, with the biggest investments and reforms in the port’s history underway.

“The construction of the new joint Ferry Terminal Turku is running smoothly, and other aspects of the project are progressing on schedule as well. With the completion of the new terminal, Turku will have an architecturally impressive and, above all, functional and efficient maritime traffic service centre that meets the requirements of the future. At the same time, the project brings new challenges to the entire port organisation, especially financially. The port company’s strong finances and personnel competence are the key when responding to these challenges”, Konsta Weber emphasises.

When the new joint terminal is completed, the port’s passenger services will transfer from the shipping companies to the port company. Konsta Weber feels that this will facilitate improved control of the service package and more efficient operations, for example, by utilising digitalisation, as well as faster responses to service development needs. The joint terminal also supports the port company’s aims of gaining new ship connections for Turku.

“Ferry Terminal Turku strengthens the image of Turku as a maritime city and enhances the city’s appeal as a travel destination. It also supports the urban development of Turku by kickstarting the construction of the Linnanniemi area. The area no longer used by the port will become a living city district featuring both seascapes and river views when travelling the waterfront streets towards the city centre. The full-scale exploitation of tourism opportunities, including the local archipelago, however, will require Destination Turku thinking as well as local and regional cooperation.”

Konsta Weber views his own role as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Port of as containing many different aspects.

“The main ones are, of course, the duties of the Board determined by the Limited Liability Companies Act as well as the monitoring of the realisation of the port company’s business strategy and the possible adjustments to the contents of the strategy. Within the organisation, it is important to act as a partner for the Managing Director and a sounding board for the entire Management Team – discussing and challenging openly. I also see myself opening doors and connections to different stakeholders, not shying away from traditional footwork. The purpose and goal of all operations is to be a part of building a functional and productive company that generates added value for its customers, the City of Turku and the entire surrounding society”, lays down Konsta Weber, Chairman of the Board of the Port of Turku Ltd.

Text: Kari Ahonen
Photos: Markku Koivumäki