Volume of sea transport decreased by 16 per cent in May 2024

Release related to topics:Transport and tourism
release | Foreign shipping traffic 2024, May

According to Statistics Finland’s preliminary data, the total volume of foreign sea transport was 6.6 million tonnes in May 2024. Sea transport decreased by 16 per cent compared to May 2023. Exports decreased by 11 per cent and amounted to 3.4 million tonnes. Imports decreased by 21 per cent and totalled 3.2 million tonnes. A total of 1.2 million persons were transported in passenger traffic.

Key selections

  • In May 2024, general cargo, oil products and paper were transported most in foreign shipping traffic.
  • Measured by the volume of goods transported, the largest ports in May were, in order, HaminaKotka, Helsinki, Raahe, Sköldvik and Rauma.
  • In May, there was most sea transport between Finland and Sweden, totalling 1.2 million tonnes.
  • The fall in the volume of transport is mostly caused by decreased transport of crude oil and oil products.
  • No shipments through the Saimaa Canal were registered in May.

General cargo transported most in foreign shipping traffic in May

A total of 1.4 million tonnes of general cargo were transported. Oil products, 0.7 million tonnes, and paper, 0.6 million tonnes, were transported second most.

The most import-dominated types of goods were crude oil, timber as well as ores and concentrates. The most export-dominated types of goods were sawn wood, paper as well as plywood and veneers.

Measured by the volume of goods transported, the largest ports in May were, in order, HaminaKotka, Helsinki, Raahe, Sköldvik and Rauma.

A total of 2.5 million tonnes, or 38 per cent of all sea transports, were transported in containers and transport units. Altogether 1.5 million tonnes of goods were transported in transport units and 1.0 million tonnes in containers.

Most sea transport between Finland and Sweden in May

Combining imports and exports, most sea transport took place between Finland and Sweden in May, totalling 1.2 million tonnes. Most goods were imported from Sweden, 0.8 million tonnes and most were exported to Germany, 0.8 million tonnes.

A total of 1.2 million persons were transported in passenger traffic

A total of 1.2 million persons were transported in passenger traffic in May 2024. In all, 651,137
persons travelled between Finland and Estonia, 471,221 between Finland and Sweden, and 12,534 between Finland and Germany. Compared with May 2023, the number of passengers increased by three per cent.

In May 2024, 22,972 passengers of foreign cruise ships arrived in Finland, which is 24 per cent fewer than in May 2023.

Tables

See key statistical data in the tables.

Foreign sea transport by port and commodity group, 2024M05

Database tables

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Updated database tables
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  • Port
  • Transport equipment
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  • Port
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  • Traffic type
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  • Country
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  • Country
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  • Transport equipment
  • Direction
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  • Country
  • Commodity group
  • Direction
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  • Country
  • Commodity group
  • Direction
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  • Port
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  • Port
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Classifications used:
  • Commodity group
  • Traffic type
  • Direction
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Classifications used:
  • Port
  • Country
  • Direction
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Updating frequency:
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  • Port
  • Country
  • Direction
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Future releases

Documentation

Description of the production, used methods and quality of the statistics.

Go to documentation of the statistics

Referencing instructions

Official Statistics of Finland (OSF): Foreign shipping traffic [online publication].
Reference period: 2024, May. ISSN=2670-2002. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [Referenced: 23.11.2024].
Access method:

Statistical experts

Inquiries primarily

Henna Ylimaa
Senior Statistician
029 551 3832

Head of Department in charge

Hannele Orjala
Head of Department in charge
029 551 3582