Cargo Traffic
Fast increase in the traffic flow
In 2017, the Port of Helsinki became the number one general port for international cargo traffic in Finland. The total tonnage of international cargo traffic handled was 14 million tonnes (+14.3% compared to previous year). The total tonnage of cargo traffic was 14.3 million tonnes (+14.2%).
When the acquisition of a majority holding of the Port of Loviisa Ltd’s port operations in the beginning of 2017 is taken into consideration, the cargo traffic of the Port of Helsinki grew by 20%.
Cargo traffic
| Tonnes | 2 015 | 2 016 | 2 017 | Change % 17/16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unitized cargo | 10 400 000 | 10 565 000 | 11 884 000 | 12 % |
| Import | 4 837 000 | 5 019 000 | 5 526 000 | 10 % |
| Export | 5 563 000 | 5 547 000 | 6 358 000 | 15 % |
| Bulk product traffic | 780 000 | 829 000 | * 2 148 000 | 159 % |
| Foreign traffic | 11 179 000 | 11 394 000 | * 14 032 000 | 23 % |
| Coastal traffic | 231 000 | 227 000 | 243 000 | 7 % |
| TOTAL CARGO TRAFFIC | 11 410 000 | 11 621 000 | * 14 275 000 | 23 % |
| Containers, TEU | 451 000 | 491 000 | 9 % | |
| Trucks, trailers and other, pcs | 528 000 | 587 000 | 11 % |
* Figures are not comparable to earlier years. Year 2017 includes the figures of Loviisa and Kantvik harbours.
Market share of unitised cargo traffic is growing
11.9 million tonnes of cargo (+12.5%) was transported via Helsinki’s harbours in large units, such as containers, trucks, and trailers. Imports made up 5.5 million tonnes (+10.1%) and exports 6.4 million tonnes. The exports showed an increase of as much as 14.6% from the previous year. The balance between imports and exports remained good.
The Port of Helsinki’s proportion of Finland’s *unitized cargo traffic was 28.5% (+3 percentage points).
Unitized cargo traffic 2017, TOP 3
| Million tonnes | |
|---|---|
| Estonia | 4,17 |
| Germany | 4,02 |
| The Netherlands | 1,16 |
Rubber-wheeled traffic/ Ro-ro traffic
The proportion of cargo transported at the port by trucks, trailers and similar vehicles was 63,9% of all unitized cargo. A total of 587,000 vehicles (+11.1%) passed through the harbours as rubber-wheeled traffic, transporting a total of 7.6 million tonnes (+13.8%) of cargo.
Container traffic
A total of 491,000 **TEUs (+8.8%) of containers were transported through Helsinki, containing a total of 3.9 million tonnes (+7.2%) of cargo.
The proportion of container traffic from unitised cargo traffic at the Port of Helsinki accounted for 32.7%.
Import of new passenger vehicles
In addition, 34,200 new cars were imported through Vuosaari Harbour, which is 9.2% less than the previous year.
* Unitized cargo = cargo tranported in large units, such as containers, trucks, and trailers.
** TEU = twenty-foot equivalent unit
Traffic in Vuosaari harbour
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Containers, TEU | 430 000 | 451 000 | 491 000 |
| Trailers and trucks | 154 000 | 201 000 | 205 000 |
| Ship visits | 2 159 | 2 036 | 2 075 |
| Passengers | 160 000 | 183 000 | 188 000 |
Dry bulk traffic increased
The Port of Helsinki’s dry bulk traffic mainly consists of imported coal for Helen Oy. The amount of coal was approximately 1.1 million tonnes (+31%).
The total amount of cargo traffic travelling through the Kantvik Harbour managed by the Port of Helsinki was 353,800 tonnes (+18.0%). Of this amount, 334,000 tonnes (+15.8%) was imports and 9,800 tonnes (+249.9%) was exports. The imports consisted mainly of coal and gypsum. Export traffic was low.
The total amount of cargo traffic through the Port of Loviisa, 60% of which is owned by the Port of Helsinki, was 663,400 tonnes (+14.7%), with the main articles including timber, cement and grain.
Break bulk gained momentum
A total of 50,000 tonnes of pulp as break bulk was transported through the Port of Helsinki. The pulp exports from Metsä Group’s new bioproduct mill in Äänekoski through Vuosaari Harbour began in the third quarter of the year.
491 000 TEU
Currently, approximately 95% of general cargo transport in world trade takes place in containers. Almost any kind of cargo can be transported in them. In 2017, 491,000 TEUs were transported through the Port of Helsinki. The main export articles were forestry products, machines and devices, while the main import articles included food products, consumer goods and investment supplies.