Helsinki port cargo handling increase in Jan-Sept

A total of 10.5 million tonnes of cargo was transported via Helsinki during January-September period marking a strong growth of sea traffic in the port.

The growth in cargo handling was 12.7% compared to the same period last year. Of the total cargo, 5.5 million tonnes was in import (+13.2%), and 5.0 million tonnes in export (+11.5%).

Unitised cargo, i.e. cargo transported in sea containers, lorries, and trailers, is the largest cargo type at the Port of Helsinki.

During the third quarter of the year (July–September 2017), the total amount of cargo traffic totalled 3.6 million tonnes (+15.8%), of which 1.9 million tonnes (+16.8%) was in import, and 1.7 million tonnes (+14.8%) in export.

The TEU amounts in container traffic increased by 7.0% compared to the same period last year, and rubber-wheeled traffic units by 11.1%.

The pulp export that started this autumn from Metsä Group’s Äänekoski factory is expected to be visible in the bulk goods and unitized cargo statistics during the last quarter of the year.

Regular liner traffic transported 9 million passengers through the Port of Helsinki from January to September. This figure is slightly (+1.8%) higher than that of the corresponding period of last year.

Managing Director Kimmo Mäki from the Port of Helsinki smiles happily at the figures: ‘The growth of unitised cargo seems to mirror the continuing growth of Finnish exports. And for all cargo traffic, dry bulk goods import levels in particular are increasing. That’s a good thing all around.’