Helsinki harbours are seeing high levels of cargo traffic, and exports in particular are well underway at the end of the year’s third quarter. Conversely, ship travel levels have not reached the levels expected, despite the travel restrictions being lifted and COVID-19 vaccination coverage increasing.
Boosted exports
During January–September, a total of 10.6 million tonnes of cargo was transported via the Port of Helsinki (+7.9%).
“If this excellent rate continues, we will be close to breaking records by the end of the year,” says Jukka Kallio, who is in charge of cargo business at the Port of Helsinki Ltd.
Of international cargo traffic, import accounted for 4.8 million tonnes (+4.4%). Export amounted to 5.7 million tonnes, which is 11.2% more than in the corresponding period last year. For example, the demand for Finnish forestry products is extremely high out in the world.
Unitised cargo traffic* amounted to 9.0 million tonnes (+9.3%). Container traffic was a little over one per cent behind the corresponding period last year. However, the amount of cargo transported on lorries and trailers surpassed last year’s numbers by almost 15%.
The global demand for containers is currently higher than the supply available, which is why the prices for container cargo have increased significantly.