Finland’s location in the center of Northern Europe, combined with a modern infrastructure offers various opportunities for the international logistics companies. Finland also offers the fastest and the most congestion-free transport channel from Europe to Russia and Asia.
Shipping plays a vital role in Finland’s economy. Over 80% of the Finnish foreign trade is based on sea transport. Sweden is the only EU member state to have a land border with Finland, and even that border is mainly located in the sparsely populated far north. Shipping and shipping related activities in Finland employ over 40 000 people.
Logistics costs for Finland’s businesses are approximately EUR 33 billion annually. Because of the country’s relative remoteness and its long and cold winters, the logistics costs of Finland’s foreign trade are distinctly higher than those incurred by other countries in the EU.
Road transport is the most important mode of transport within Finland. Railways are also a vital transport link; because of Finland’s production locations and structures, they represent a larger share than in most EU countries. An important objective in Finnish logistics is to improve productivity in logistics particularly by making efficient and creative use of ICT-based technologies.
A principle challenge for Finland’s infrastructure and logistics policy is to make sure that there is access to reliable and moderately priced international routes to and from Finland’s major export and import markets. Another major challenge is to maintain Finland’s logistics position as Russia’s neighbour, at the same time as the positions of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland continue to strengthen. The EU is committed to promoting closer EU-Russian integration and to achieving strategic partnership. It is in Finland’s best interests to promote that partnership.