Topics
Transport and tourism

Sea transport decreased by 7 per cent in December 2023

release | Foreign shipping traffic 2023, December

According to Statistics Finland's preliminary data, the goods volume of foreign sea transport was in total 7.6 million tonnes in December 2023. Sea transport decreased by 7 per cent from December 2022. Exports decreased by 2 per cent and were 3.8 million tonnes. Import volume decreased by 10 per cent and were 3.8 million tonnes. Altogether 1.1 million persons were transported in passenger traffic, which was 77 per cent of the level before the corona pandemic.

Key selections

  • The volume of foreign shipping traffic totalled 7.6 million tonnes in December 2023.
  • Compared with December 2022, the volume of foreign shipping traffic decreased by 7 per cent in December 2023.
  • Altogether 1.0 million tonnes of goods were transported in transport units and 0,9 million tonnes in containers in December 2023.
  • In December 2023, altogether 1.1 million persons were transported in passenger traffic, which was 77 per cent of the level before the coronavirus pandemic.
  • No transport was registered through the Saimaa Canal in December 2023.

Oil products were transported most in foreign sea traffic in December

In December 2023, the majority of sea transports were transports of oil products. A total of 1.4 million tonnes of oil products were transported. Imports of oil products amounted to 0.5 million tonnes and exports to 0.9 million tonnes. The next most transported goods were general cargo, 1.0 million tonnes, and crude oil, 0.9 million tonnes.

The most import-dominated types of goods were crude oil, coal and coke and crude minerals and cement. The most export-dominated type of goods were sawn timber, plywood and veneers and fertilizers.

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

A total of 2.0 million tonnes, or 26 per cent of all sea transports, were transported in containers and transport units. Altogether 1.0 million tonnes of goods were transported in transport units and 0.9 million tonnes in containers.

Of the goods transported in transport units, 0.6 million tonnes were transported in lorries and 0.4 million tonnes in trailers. In addition to the transport units used for goods transport, 137,947 passengers’ cars and 1,891 buses and coaches were transported.

A total of 64,469 containers were transported, which corresponds to 116,421 TEU units.

A total of 1.1 million persons were transported in passenger traffic

A total of 1.1 million persons were transported in passenger traffic in December 2023. In all, 645,443 passengers travelled between Finland and Estonia, 402,230 passengers between Finland and Sweden and 9,191passengers between Finland and Germany. Compared with December 2022, the number of passengers increased by two per cent. Compared with December 2019 the number of passengers was, however, just 77 per cent.

In December 2023, no passengers of foreign cruise ships arrived in Finland.

Tables

See key statistical data in the tables.

Foreign sea transport by port and commodity group, 2023M12

Database tables

Pick the data you need into tables, view the data as graphs, or download the data for your use.

Updated database tables
Classifications used:
  • Port
  • Commodity group
  • Direction
Period:
month
Updated:
Classifications used:
  • Direction
  • Commodity group
  • Port
Period:
month
Updated:
Classifications used:
  • Transport equipment
  • Direction
  • Port
Period:
month
Updated:
Classifications used:
  • Port
  • Direction
  • Traffic type
Period:
month
Updated:
Classifications used:
  • Traffic type
  • Port
  • Direction
Period:
month
Updated:
Classifications used:
  • Port
  • Direction
  • Commodity group
Period:
month
Updated:
Classifications used:
  • Direction
  • Commodity group
  • Port
Period:
month
Updated:
Classifications used:
  • Traffic type
  • Direction
  • Commodity group
Period:
month
Updated:
Classifications used:
  • Direction
  • Country
Period:
annual
Updated:
Classifications used:
  • Country
  • Direction
Period:
month
Updated:
Classifications used:
  • Transport equipment
  • Direction
  • Port
Period:
month
Updated:
Classifications used:
  • Country
  • Direction
  • Commodity group
Period:
month
Updated:
Classifications used:
  • Direction
  • Commodity group
  • Country
Period:
month
Updated:
Classifications used:
  • Port
Period:
annual
Updated:
Classifications used:
  • Port
Period:
month
Updated:
Classifications used:
  • Traffic type
  • Direction
  • Commodity group
Period:
month
Updated:
Classifications used:
  • Port
  • Direction
  • Country
Period:
annual
Updated:
Classifications used:
  • Port
  • Country
  • Direction
Period:
month
Updated:
Classifications used:
  • Direction
Period:
month
Updated:
Classifications used:
  • Direction
Period:
month
Updated:

Future releases

Background information

Documentation
Referencing instructions

Statistical experts

Inquiries primarily
Henna Ylimaa
Senior Statistician
029 551 3832
Head of Department in charge