In Finland, public ports are owned by municipalities and private entities. In addition, there are industry-owned ports, some of which are fairly large. On mainland Finland, there are 24 port companies that operate public ports. Of these, four are privately owned, and 20 are owned by municipalities. In addition to public ports open to all, there are several industry-owned ports and municipally managed port structures used occasionally for traffic.
Legislation governing the sector is extensive. Environmental permits for port activities, water construction permits, and legislation concerning the transport of hazardous materials, rail and port security all include detailed requirements for operators.
In 2025, through Finnish ports:
Ports Invest
Ports are part of the transport chain. The state is responsible for its own waterways, while port companies are responsible for developing their own areas. In addition, ports host various service providers, including companies offering cargo handling and passenger services. Ports also work closely with many different authorities and public service providers.
Port companies manage the activities in their areas, for example through port regulations. These set out the rights and responsibilities of the different operators within the port area.
A port brings together businesses operating under various contractual arrangements, cooperation between private and public actors, and customers and visitors operating under the guidance and regulations of the port company. It is a multi-operator environment.
Since 2015, Finnish ports have operated on a market-driven basis as limited liability companies.
Traditionally, ports are described based on whether they handle general cargo or bulk cargo, depending on the type of goods transported. Today, more and more ports are developing their business from broader perspectives. Port companies may invest in supporting local industry, alternative fuel infrastructure, or in value-added services like warehousing for industrial clients. They may also develop capabilities to serve as support ports for offshore wind power construction or operations. These auxiliary services don’t necessarily need to be tied to the port area itself.
The digital transformation of transport and logistics brings new possibilities for ports as well. Transport chains can be optimized, and additional traffic management services can be offered. Opening interfaces to infrastructure-related data from port companies creates new opportunities for other service providers.
Smart fairways provide real-time situational awareness about traffic and weather. These, along with the increasing use of remote-controlled vessels, represent the future — a future already being considered in infrastructure development.
Finland has excellent passenger ferry connections to Sweden and Estonia. The same ships that carry passengers also transport a significant share of Finland’s international cargo, both imports and exports.
Leisure and cruise passengers benefit from freight transport, as cargo helps keep ticket prices affordable.
An increasing number of international cruise ships are visiting Finland, not only in Helsinki. The Baltic Sea region offers safe and attractive destinations for cruise travelers. Finnish ports also manage cruise ship waste disposal responsibly — an important factor for the well-being of the Baltic Sea.
Each port serves society in a broad sense by ensuring the import of production inputs needed by industry and economic activity, as well as the export of their products. Maintaining port activities under all conditions and in all seasons is vital for the whole of Finland.
Occupational safety, traffic safety, and environmental safety are core values in port activities, as only safe activities are efficient and profitable. Ports and the cities surrounding them grow together. Regular communication with port neighbors helps align the needs of both parties.
Port activities are responsible and long-term by nature. They involve creating long-lasting infrastructure to serve the transport needs through each port as efficiently as possible in terms of resource use.
Finland’s northern location and the vulnerable Baltic Sea set specific conditions for port construction and daily activities. These are reflected in the multilayered system of marine and land-use planning and take concrete form in environmental permits for port construction.
Ports are also part of the fabric of the local communities in which they are located. As such, environmental permits impose requirements for managing noise, air quality, and water discharges. The solutions needed are influenced by each port’s conditions and traffic characteristics. High-quality ship waste management and safe cargo handling help prevent pollution in the Baltic Sea.
Permits require regular monitoring of environmental impacts and conditions in the port so that preventive and corrective measures can be taken. Companies handling cargo in the port also participate in these measures.
Environmental legislation requires ports to offer shore-side electricity to vessels that meet certain criteria starting in 2030, which will reduce ship emissions. In Finnish ports, the availability and use of shore power are progressing faster than required. As of 2024, shore power is already widely used in passenger ferry ports, and the number of connections in cargo ports is growing rapidly.
In addition to the above, Finnish ports are independently undertaking other climate and environmental actions, such as:
Have you ever thought about the fact that storage for trade and industry today exists within transport chains? If transport is disrupted, the effects are quickly visible in everyday life. That’s why ports prepare for risks in many ways.
Port companies are responsible for ensuring the smooth flow of traffic within the port area. This includes safe operating procedures as well as adequately dimensioned and well-constructed fairways for ships, roads and railways, and infrastructure for port workers and passengers. Cybersecurity is also essential, as information technology is used extensively in ports.
Port companies are the hosts of their respective areas. They coordinate safety procedures required for potential threats and accidents and ensure cooperation among companies operating in the port. Regular development work is also carried out in collaboration with authorities.
We contribute to the positions of the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO), which represents European seaports, by participating in the work of its committees. We act as the national representative of Finnish ports within ESPO.
Ports are part of the maritime cluster, which directly employs over 46,000 people in Finland and indirectly up to half a million. In 2023, the total turnover of the maritime cluster was approximately €17.3 billion. The Finnish Ports Association works in close cooperation with the Finnish Shipowners’ Association and the Finnish Marine Industries Association to support the success of maritime industries.
Suomen Satamat ry © 2025
