Late last year, Arto Sinikannas retired from Steveco where he had more than 40 years behind him. His career included many roles and Sinikannas wouldn't change a day of it. He says he had a very interesting and educational journey while working at the port, and he doesn’t hesitate to recommends Steveco as an employer.

"I used to put my name on ship lists, but I had to wait a long time for ship gigs. That's why I ended up working at the port. Of course, every Kotka resident yearns for the sea, but fortunately, at least we work near the sea," says Sinikannas with a smile.

Sinikannas’s last position was production manager at Saimaa Terminals, where he worked for about seven years. He started his working career as a stevedore, and in 1978, after completing his national service, he was selected for an apprenticeship course in the Port of Kotka from among 60 applicants. After his apprenticeship, he completed a harbour foreman degree at the Stevedoring College AHTO. In 1980, he took a summer job as foreman in the Port of Hamina, and the next year in 1981 he took the position of port foreman in Kotka.

"After I started working as a port foreman, apprenticeship jobs soon came into the picture. In the mid-1990s, I became responsible for the training and recruitment of Steveco's production workers. At the beginning of the 2000s, I joined the Vuosaari project where I continued to do similar work, but I also got involved in Vuosaari's development projects. In 2010, I was asked to move to Mussalo to lead container terminal operations as production manager, which I ended up doing for six years. After that, I moved to Saimaa Terminals."

Big machines and big ships have always been a fascination

"Working at Steveco has always been interesting. The port as a work environment has been fascinating from the beginning. Big machines, big ships and heavy loads especially have been the thing for me."

Sinikannas continues, "In addition to big machines and ships, new projects and their successful completion have always been motivating. In addition, different people and a good working atmosphere have always encouraged me to keep going."

The work culture has changed but the good atmosphere and jolly mood remained

"The work culture has changed over the years. Years ago, there were men who had been to war at the harbour and a kind of hardnose culture was strong. There is still the same element in the work atmosphere, but the working culture has progressed and work efficiency has improved. Nowadays, the pace of work is really fast. We used to work the hours and then call it a day. Today, at every level the bigger picture is understood, so to speak, of why and what needs to be done. You could say that the attitude towards work has improved considerably."

Sinikannas emphasizes Steveco's encouraging, relaxed and educational work culture. Steveco, as Finland's leading port operator and Finland's market leader in the transport of forest industry products and transit traffic, offers a wide variety of jobs in several Finnish cities.

"Steveco is a pioneering, reliable and versatile workplace with a motivated team."

The world has changed a lot in 40 years

Sinikannas says that the biggest change during his working career has been the development of technology, which has enabled greater work efficiency. Today, loading would come to a halt without information technology. Technological development has naturally reduced the number of jobs in the port, but Steveco still employs plenty of talented people.

"You don't have to keep different notes in your pockets anymore and write everything down on the back of an envelope," laughs Sinikannas.

Another significant change that Sinikannas highlights, especially in the port industry, has been container traffic overtaking freight traffic, which happened in the 1990s. The sharp increase in container traffic has been significant for the industry. Today, Steveco is Finland's leading container operator.

"The world and Steveco with it have changed during my more than 40-year career. The continuous development of Steveco and the industry keeps the work meaningful. Work has changed since the ‘80s and ‘90s, but Steveco is still a great company with a great team. What else could you wish for?" Sinikannas sums up.

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Arto Sinikannas

• Born in Karhula, Kotka in 1958
• Worked at Steveco for 44 years
• Engages in a variety of sports
• Enjoys motor sports, especially old cars and motorcycles

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Text: Selma Mustonen Photos: Johannes Wiehn

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