Charting Her Own Course: Anu Peippo’s Maritime Journey and Steerprop’s Offshore Future

When asked what first sparked her lifelong connection to the sea, Anu Peippo, Offshore Segment Director at Steerprop, doesn’t hesitate to recall a childhood memory. “I must have been under ten,” she says. “We were visiting my grandmother’s friend who worked on a vessel carrying paper from Rauma, Finland to Germany. She was a stewardess on board. I remember being completely impressed that there was a swimming pool on the ship, and the food was so good. That was when the idea began to take root.”

For Peippo, the sea was never far away. Her hometown of Rauma is one of Finland’s maritime strongholds, and her family’s history added to the pull. Both grandfathers had sailed in their youth, one on deck as an able-bodied seaman, the other in the engine room. Her grandmother kept cherished black-and-white photographs: her grandfather posed beside a classic car in Rio de Janeiro with Sugarloaf Mountain in the background, and in another image standing in front of the pyramids of Egypt. “She always told me, ‘These are from the days when he was sailing.’ And I thought, okay, that sounds really interesting,” Peippo recalls.

When the time came to choose a career path after high school, her decision felt natural. She applied to Finland’s university of applied sciences, where she enrolled in the captain’s program. “That was the beginning,” she says. “The maritime world had already found its way into my imagination.”

Life at Sea: From Tankers to Offshore

Peippo’s professional seafaring career began with Neste Shipping, a Finnish state-owned tanker company. She describes it as an ideal start: “The oil companies have very high standards on health and safety. You learn how to do things properly. It sets a foundation.” Sailing tankers carrying refined oil products across Europe, and occasionally as far afield as China and Indonesia, gave her invaluable experience—and a taste of the exotic. “I visited Greenland several times, and also Kaliningrad, this unusual Russian territory on the Baltic Sea. It was fascinating.”

But she was hungry for more professional growth. That search took her to Norway’s REM Offshore, where she joined as second officer. The transition from tankers to offshore support vessels proved pivotal. “On tankers, it’s usually the captain who does the final maneuvering in port. But in offshore, vessels are constantly in and out of harbors and approaching offshore installations. That meant I got the opportunity to really learn vessel handling and maneuvering.”

It was also her introduction to dynamic positioning (DP), the precise system that holds vessels in place near offshore structures. “It was a steep learning curve,” she says, “but incredibly rewarding. You are in direct control, working very close to massive offshore installations. It really sharpened my skills.”

Her offshore years included time in the North Sea and later Brazil, where she advanced to chief officer. Working in Brazil also meant a multicultural environment. “The crew changed—Nordic sailors were the minority, Brazilians became the majority. Learning to adapt to different ways of working was a big part of the experience. And of course, the weather was a bonus,” she laughs. “For me, 20 degrees Celsius feels like summer. For them, it was winter, hats and coats came out. It gave me perspective.”

Coming Ashore

Life at sea shaped her, but eventually family came first. “I have two daughters,” she says. “After the second was born, I knew it was time to find a role on shore.” That opportunity came when Rolls-Royce launched its new Ship Intelligence division in Turku, Finland, focused on remote and autonomous vessel operations.

Her practical experience made her invaluable. “I became a maritime advisor. The engineers needed to understand how things actually work onboard—how processes from vessel life could translate into shore-based control centers. That was my role, to bridge that gap.”

Finding Steerprop

Her next chapter brought her back to Rauma, her hometown—and to Steerprop, a propulsion manufacturer she first discovered onboard a vessel. “I remember seeing Steerprop’s name in the manuals and noticing they were based in Rauma. It stuck with me. Later, when I was looking for new opportunities, I reached out. They were building their sales team, and it turned out to be a perfect fit.”

Today, Peippo serves as Offshore Segment Director, with responsibility for sales strategy, customer engagement, and aligning offshore market needs with Steerprop’s product development. “We have dedicated people for each segment—arctic, tug and workboats, ferry and cruise, and offshore. My role is to focus on the offshore sector: renewable energy vessels, special vessels, and the operators driving this market forward.”

Her seafaring background continues to shape her leadership. “When you’ve maneuvered a vessel into a quay in rough weather, you gain confidence. You learn resilience. Onshore, no challenge feels quite as daunting in comparison. And of course,” she adds with a smile, “after giving birth to two daughters, I feel unstoppable.”

Reflecting on her journey, Peippo offers clear encouragement to those considering a maritime career. “Go for it. It’s an incredible way to see the world, to learn about yourself, and to grow. You spend a lot of time with your own thoughts—it builds independence. And it gives you a strong foundation, whether you stay at sea your whole career or transition ashore. Maritime prepares you for anything.”

Steerprop Tech: Form Meets Function

Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Rauma, Steerprop specializes in azimuth propulsion systems—highly maneuverable propulsors that rotate 360 degrees to provide thrust in any direction. These systems are critical for vessels that operate in demanding environments, from offshore supply and construction vessels to tugs, icebreakers, and ferries.

“Azimuth propulsion is about precision and control,” Peippo explains. “For offshore operators, maneuverability is everything—whether approaching an installation, holding position, or working in tight harbor conditions.” Steerprop also delivers tunnel thrusters and retractable units, offering a complete package for vessels requiring advanced maneuvering.

Key customer drivers include:

• Energy Efficiency & Sustainability: “Owners are very focused on reducing environmental footprint. Our role is to design propulsors that are as energy-efficient as possible, helping lower CO₂ emissions.”

• Reliability & Operability: “Uptime is critical. Our systems are built to maximize vessel availability.”

• Extended Maintenance Cycles: “Some operators want longer drydocking intervals—seven and a half or even ten years, compared to the typical five. We can provide that flexibility.”

Adaptability is at the core of Steerprop’s philosophy. “We listen carefully to customers,” says Peippo. “Every project is unique, and we can tailor our technology to match requirements.”

A Personal and Professional Voyage

From the spark of childhood curiosity aboard a vessel with a swimming pool, to navigating tankers through icy Greenland harbors, to maneuvering offshore vessels off Brazil, Anu Peippo’s journey reflects the breadth of opportunity the maritime world offers. Today, she channels that experience into her role at Steerprop—helping deliver propulsion systems that enable offshore and maritime operators to meet the challenges of safety, sustainability, and efficiency.

“Every step along the way has taught me something,” she reflects. “Now, with Steerprop, I feel like I’ve come full circle—back to Rauma, back to where it all started, but carrying with me everything the sea has given me.”