The aim of the study is to analyse the freight potential between Eastern Finland and Eastern
Estonia. The specific focus is on the trucks and semi-trailers, which could be transported with
the anticipated ferry line between the port of Loviisa in Finland and port of Kunda in Estonia.
The study results are based on both statistical analysis, surveys and interviews to transportation
companies, forwarders and cargo owners. This report is made as a part of the project Reinforcing
Eastern Finland – Estonia Transport corridor (REFEC) funded mainly from the Interreg Central
Baltic programme of the European Union.
The roro volume between Finland and Estonia has grown strongly over the ten last year. The
annual average growth has been well over 7% and the number of roro units has grown up to
387 000 of which 96% are trucks (2017). The trade with the Baltic states (using FI-EE ferries) has
grown modestly while the cargo transiting the Baltics to/from CEE countries and beyond has
increased strongly. The logistics industry believes that the growth will continue although in
lower level. The factors affecting to increasing volumes are the on-going transfer and growth of
production in eastern and southeastern Europe, and the increasing use of semi-finished
products in general. Raising standard of living in these regions increases consumption which
translates into more cargo transports in Via Baltica. Rail Baltica will be ready 2026 generating
more transport demand over the Gulf of Finland as well.
The transport corridor area was defined to eight eastern counties in Finland and four
northeastern counties in Estonia based on the distance analysis to the ports of Loviisa and
Kunda. The analysis concerning the freight potential of the Finnish part of the corridor indicates
that the export volumes are considered favourable (forest and metal industry) being about ¼ of
the national value of exports. Forest industry could export roughly 20 000 - 25 000 units from
the corridor area and trough Via Baltica using the anticipated Loviisa – Kunda connection. This
could provide a base cargo for the envisioned ferry connection. The import potential was
considered to be more limited (8,5% of national value) since the import to Finland is channeled
currently a lot via Helsinki. The cargo potential in Estonian part of the corridor is much lower
due to the difference in the size of economy and the marginal transit via Finland. Based on the
interviews it would make around 5 500 trucks per year (import and export). However, if the
Uusimaa county is, even partly, included in the corridor analysis (Loviisa is located in eastern
Uusimaa) the cargo potential would be considerably larger.
The industry is rather content with the current roro services, but the congestion is seen as a
significant challenge in capital cities. The possible policy decisions for steering heavy traffic from
the city centres can provide opportunities for alternative roro routes like Loviisa-Kunda.
Specializing into niche cargoes (hazardous goods, oversize cargo etc.) in the market where the
overall volumes are growing is seen also as a possibility for a new ferry service. The Estonian
commuters in the corridor area can be considered as an important user group of the foreseen
Loviisa-Kunda connection.