MEET ME, SIMO KUPARINEN, UPF FINLAND

Hi Simo! Tell me more about you! My name is Simo Kuparinen and my origin port is Kotka, Finland. At 48, I’ve realized that nearly half of my life has been spent working in the industry, drawing on the knowledge I gained from my bachelor’s degree in logistics. I am a father to four beautiful daughters, some of whom are old enough to ask what the name was of the Captain when I tell them I visited a ship during my day. Outside of work, you will often find me on the padel court. But if it’s spring or autumn, there’s a good chance I’m out fishing for sea trout and completely off the grid for the weekend. During the winter, my family and I keep the tradition of ice swimming (Avanto in Finnish) alive, diving into freezing lakes or the sea, always followed by a sauna.

What is your background for choosing the industry? The industry chose me. My father, a retired Captain, sailed on merchant ships and thereafter ice breakers. I was onboard those ships on many trips and visited many ports. We have always lived by the port, no matter which city. Probably not the safest of playgrounds, but definitely the most exciting! And hey! who else can say they have spent their summer holiday on a shipyard, skateboarding on a helipad?

A little later, during my summer breaks, I earned some extra cash stuffing and unstuffing containers. I officially started my career at Maersk Finland Oy in Helsinki in 2001. I worked as an equipment coordinator. I then spent several years in customer service, but returned to operations and moved to Gothenburg, Sweden.

A few years later, I found myself working in Rotterdam in a newly established liner operations center. I then returned to Maersk Finland in 2010. After 15 fantastic years, my Maersk era ended, and I started as technical director at port operator Euroports Finland Oy in 2016.

After years of multiple projects and unbelievable time, looking at the shipping world from port operators’ perspective, it was necessary to take some time off after 2023. Many don’t know that I worked as a head-hunter in the recruitment business for a year up until 2024, but the burning desire of returning to shipping took over. Me and UPF Finland Oy engaged in May 2024, and it was love at first sight.

It is hard to imagine what I would be doing if I was not working in the industry. I tried leaving once but came back.

What is your role at the office? No day is the same at the office. I mostly look after ongoing and upcoming projects and handle vessel agency matters. Preparing, planning and following up, keeping contact with the vendors and counterparts.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? I see myself still working for UPF, having further connected with another 3000 new shipping and customer contacts. I would like for us to be handling larger projects and have a few more new colleagues. My eldest daughter will be an adult by then, so I will most likely have convinced her to enter the industry by then.

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