Finland is a beautiful country with so much command in international trading. Among the key infrastructures that facilitate trade are ports in Finland.
In this article, we will explore this vital in infrastructure to the international trade in Finland. Let’s look at some of the main ports in Finland.
11 Busiest Ports in Finland
1. Port of Helsinki
- Location: On the southern coast of Finland, Helsinki
- Port Code: FIHEL
- Handling Capacity: Is able to handle about 10 million tons of cargo yearly.
- Management: Port of Helsinki Limited
The port of Helsinki was established in 1550 and is the largest as well as busiest port in Finland. It handles different types of cargo like general cargo, containers, and bulk goods. Also, it handles large ferry traffic and serves as the pathway to Estonia, Sweden, and Russia. Due to the enhanced and advanced facilities, it provides high-frequency services to Tallinn, Stockholm, and St. Petersburg.
2. Port of Kotka
- Location: Along the Gulf of Finland, in southeastern Finland, Kotka
- Port Code: FIKOK
- Handling Capacity: Can handle about 7 million tons of cargo yearly.
- Management: Port of Kotka Limited
Since 1873, Kotka Port has steadily played a vital role in the shipment of containers, bulk cargo, forest products, and general cargo. Also, the port is at the center of handling the paper, wood, and other forest products of the country. The port also handles transshipment as it stands as the main hub for trading to Northern Europe, Russia, and the Baltics.
3. Port of Turku
- Location: Along the Archipelago Sea, on the Southwestern coast of Finland, Turku
- Port Code: FITRU
- Handling Capacity: Capable of handling around 3 million tons of cargo each year.
- Management: Port of Turku Limited
Port of Turku is mainly into containers, passenger traffic, and general cargo handling. The port has connections to the Aland Islands and Sweden, trading is always smooth.
4. Port of Rauma
- Location: Along the Gulf of Bothnia, on the western coast of Finland, Rauma
- Port Code: FIRAU
- Handling Capacity: Around 3 million tons of cargo per year
- Management: Port of Rauma Limited
Established in 1442, the Port of Rauma stands as a major center for industrial exports and products in the region and Finland at large. The port is also known to be specializes in handling steel products, and forest products, not forgetting ro-ro traffic and containers.
5. Port of Oulu
- Location: Along the Gulf of Bothnia, in Northern Finland, Oulu
- Port Code: FIOUL
- Handling Capacity: About 2 million tons of cargo each year.
- Management: Port of Oulu Limited
The Port of Oulu is the gateway for all northern industries in Finland, mainly the mining, engineering, and forestry sectors. This port handles mainly raw materials, machinery, and timber. It plays a pivotal role as well in Arctic shipping routes.
6. Port of Porvoo
- Location: Along the Gulf of Finland, on the Southern coast of Finland, Porvoo
- Port Code: FIPOR
- Handling Capacity: Can handle about 1 million tons of cargo each year.
- Management: Port of Porvoo Limited
Port of Porvoo focuses many on the country’s petrochemical industry. The port is very important because it handles chemical and oil products. Its location was planned from 1856 to support the oil and petrochemical industries in the country.
7. Port of Kemi
- Location: Along the Gulf of Bothnia in the northern part of Finland, Kemi
- Port Code: FIKEM
- Handling Capacity: Averagely 1.5 million tons of cargo each year.
- Management: Port of Kemi Limited
Port of Kemi is the gateway for exportation of timber and forestry industry within the northern regions. Apart from that, it serves the mining industry by handling specialized bulk cargo. The port was established in 1899.
8. Port of Hanko
- Location: Near the Gulf of Finland, on the southernmost coast of Finland, Hanko.
- Port Code: FIHAN
- Handling Capacity: 1 million tons of cargo yearly.
- Management: Port of Hanko Limited
For goods traveling between Finland and international markets, this port counts. The port is the best for both passenger and cargo ferries.
9. Port of Pori
- Location: Along the Gulf of Bothnia, on the western coast of Finland, Pori
- Port Code: FIPOR
- Handling Capacity: An average of 1.3 million tons of cargo annually.
- Management: Port of Pori Limited
Port of Pori since 1558, its inception, has been and still is a valuable part of Finland’s paper and forestry industries. It handles different industrial and bulk goods. Port Pori additionally, handles containers and Ro-Ro traffic.
10. Port of Uusikaupunki
- Location: On the southwestern coast of Finland, Uusikaupunki
- Port Code: FIPOR
- Handling Capacity: About 1 million tons of cargo yearly.
- Management: Port of Uusikaupunki Limited
In Finland, the Port of Uusikaupunki is that hub where exportation and manufacturing of automobiles are handled. The port has greatly transformed the port since 1939. Also, the port handles containerized goods, and general cargo.
11. Port of Kokkola
- Location: Gulf of Bothnia, West coast of Finland, Kokkola
- Port Code: FI KOK
- Handling Capacity: About 8 million tons of cargo yearly
- Management: Port of Kokkola Limited
The port is one of the largest ports in Finland ideal for handling chemicals and raw materials. It is a major hub for minerals exportation like coal, concentrates, etc. Through port has the best warehousing, environmental safety precautions and conveyor systems for handling dangerous materials.
Less Busy Sea Ports in Finland
· Port of Lappeenranta
Port of Lappeenranta is an inland port that connects to Russia through the Saimaa Canal. It is used for handling raw materials and timber.
· Port of Tammisaari
Is a small local port that is focused on minor cargo activities, fishing, and recreational boating. It is loved for leisure and tourism.
· Port of Naantali
The port serves mainly as a Ro-Ro port for connecting to ferries in Sweden, as well as industrial cargo. The port clearly pushes the energy sector to the fore.
· Port of Hailuoto
Port of Hailuoto is a small port. It supports local ferry services between the mainland and joy. Tourists and residents mostly use the port.
· Port of Mariehamn (Åland Islands)
The port is a major ferry hub for passengers. It links Sweden and mainland Finland. The port handles cargo, tourism, and passenger traffic.
· Port of Loviisa
Port of Loviisa is an industrial port handling mainly bulk cargo, ideally in forestry products and timber.
· Port of Varkaus
Port of Varkaus is an inland port which handles industrial cargo and timber. This helps the local forestry and manufacturing sectors.
· Port of Eckerö
The Port of Eckerö is famous for its ferry routes, mostly to Sweden as it focuses on passenger and tourism services.
FAQs
1. Which port is the Busiest in Finland?
Port of Helsinki.
2. How many Ports are in Finland?
40 commercial ports.
3. Why is the Port of Helsinki Important?
It is important because it connects Finland to other parts of Europe as well as handles large volumes of passengers and cargo.
4. Who owns Ports in Finland?
Private companies or Municipalities ideally own and ensure these ports are well managed.
Conclusion
As you can see, when it comes to shipping or doing business in Finland, you have many options available in terms of sea port. As a rule of thumb, always choose a port that is convenient to you.
More resources:
Largest Finland Ports – Source: BANSAR
Finnish Port Association – Source: FINNISH PORTS
How to Calculate Freight Rates with FCL and LCL – Source: BANSAR
Freight Forwarders in Finland – Source: BANSAR
