Tomas Mikkola serves as Harbour Master at Kokkolan Satama Oy. Having sailed the world’s seas throughout his career, Tomas is originally from Kokkola — and more specifically from Isokylä, where he grew up. Trained as a Master Mariner, Tomas once had the option of pursuing an academic path or even a career as a chef. But the sea won out. The urge to travel was simply too strong to ignore.
What does your career look like before your current role?
I have been at sea since 1999, starting as an ordinary seaman and working my way up through second and first mate, chief mate and finally captain. My employers have included Viking Line, Engship and Lang Ship. With Alfons Håkans I towed icebergs in the waters between Greenland and Canada, and with United Shipping I carried paper across the Atlantic to Philadelphia and Newfoundland.
My longest-standing employer was Godby Shipping, an Åland-based company specialising in ro-ro vessels. We carried paper rolls to Santander in Spain, and I have vivid memories of storms in the North Sea and the Bay of Biscay. Coming out of the Kiel Canal with massive waves crashing against the hull and breaking over a 150-metre vessel, we were sometimes rolling 45 degrees from side to side. As a contrast, I also got to run feeder services between the Caribbean islands in predictable winds and calm conditions.
What does your role as Harbour Master involve?
In short, vessel services including berth planning for incoming ships, ISPS matters and participation in international maritime organisations, where we work to make shipping smarter. On top of that there are various regulatory and safety matters to handle. It is a broad role and I get to be involved in a lot.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
The variety. No two days have ever been the same.
What challenges do you face, and how do you handle them?
Because the role covers so much ground, I sometimes wish I had someone to delegate to and bounce ideas with. One good solution is exchanging thoughts with colleagues at other ports.
What motivates you as Harbour Master?
It matters to me that Kokkola has a port that serves its customers as well as possible, including the heavy industry in the area, which creates jobs. The port is also an important part of security of supply. And I am motivated by the opportunity to contribute to environmental sustainability in my work, because what we do has to be sustainable.
How do you see the role of the KIP area from your perspective?
The port and the KIP area are deeply intertwined and we do a lot of things together. It is also clear that a thriving heavy industry sector is a strong foundation for the port.
Tell us about your hobbies and free time.
I try to stay active in various ways. I am also in the thick of life with young children, and two of my three daughters still need plenty of driving around. Music is a big passion of mine and I have built a dedicated listening room at home with what I think is very good acoustics. I have quality equipment from the 1970s and 80s and have also designed and built my own Open Baffle speakers.
My listening range goes from Johnny Cash to Entombed, pioneers of Swedish death metal. I also ride motorcycles, mostly between home and work, on my Suzuki Intruder C1800R.
Tell us something surprising about yourself.
I compete at national championship level in both rugby and backgammon. In rugby I was a member of Turku Eagles, playing at number 5, Lock. In backgammon, which I still play actively, I consider myself the best player in Kokkola — until proven otherwise.
The Port of Kokkola is one of Finland’s most significant port complexes, combining modern infrastructure, specialized expertise, and a strong commitment to sustainable development. The port reliably serves international trade through three complementary sections: the Deep Port, the Silverstone Port and the General Port.
