According to the business community, the vulnerabilities of the Baltic Sea require new logistics routes from Finland to Europe and the world. The government wants to start investigating the alternatives already during this term. Companies in particular need a solid connection to the West via the Baltic Sea.
"Our country's Western integration also concerns transport: we need stronger transport connections to the rest of Europe and the world so that the economy can grow and foreign trade can thrive. This is also required by the deteriorating security situation, which has already been made concrete by the repeated acts of destruction in the Baltic Sea. That is why it is important that a strong transport dimension is now built into NATO partnerships," CEO of the Confederation of Finnish Industries EK Jyri Häkämies states in the EK press release.
Häkämies emphasizes that exploring options for new international connections must be placed on the top agenda of transport policy.
"We must prepare for the fact that we are facing a continuous infrastructure project project that will span multiple government terms, continuing in phases until the 2040s and 2050s. Overall, the needs of ports and other domestic transport infrastructure must also be taken into account."
Logistic bag end open
On February 6, EK, Palta and RT published a report on transport connections, the investigation of which is particularly requested by the Finnish business community.
The leading edge has a fixed transport connection via the Baltic Sea, and in this regard, three options are being analyzed:
- Helsinki–Stockholm (bridge/tunnel)
- Vaasa–Umeå (bridge/tunnel)
- Helsinki–Tallinn (tunnel).
Regarding connectivity, partnership opportunities with the Nordic and Baltic countries should be explored and the EU's willingness to connect capitals with high-speed trains should be taken into account.
The report also lists the EU rail gauge from Haparanda to Oulu, Raahe and Rovaniemi, preparation for maritime security threats and improving the competitiveness of air transport as issues to be clarified.
The studies should find sustainable solutions to Finland's great vulnerability. "We are a logistical mess, with 95% of our foreign trade now based on Baltic Sea shipping," EK reminds in its press release.
Destia prepared a report on the subject on behalf of EK, Palta and RT.