The import and export volumes in international seaborne trade increased in January-June 2016 compared with the corresponding period of the previous year. There was an especially significant rise in the export volumes of seaborne goods. Compared with 2015, the export volumes went up by 9.7 per cent and the import volumes by 2.7 per cent. The number of seaborne passengers in international maritime transport is also increasing.

The boost in international seaborne export volumes was a result of an increase in the transport of pulp, sawn timber, ore, and especially oil products. The export of oil products was 1,700,000 tonnes more than in the corresponding period in 2015. The export of paper decreased by 2.4 per cent. The 2.7-per cent increase in import volumes was due to the growing transport volumes of crude oil and oil products.

For the first time the number of seaborne passengers to Estonia has reached that of passengers to Sweden

The number of seaborne passengers in international maritime transport grew by 2.2 per cent from the corresponding period of the previous year. The most significant growth was in passenger transport to Estonia, which increased by 5.7 per cent. For the first time, the share of seaborne passengers travelling to Estonia reached the level of passengers travelling by sea to Sweden. The two countries’ combined share of the total number of passengers in international maritime transport was 47.2 per cent. The total number of seaborne passengers in international maritime transport was 8.5 million.

By the end of June, the total number of vessels from other countries calling in Finnish ports was 14,725. The number of vessels increased by 2.3 per cent compared with the corresponding period of the previous year.

(Source: FTA)