Confederation of Finnish Industries EK press release (from Finnish):

Finland is preparing for the giant contract - the security threats of the Baltic Sea require new transport links to the West and the world

The vulnerabilities of the Baltic Sea require new logistics routes from Finland to secure transport links to the rest of Europe and the world. The investigation of different alternatives for foreign connections must be raised to the number one agenda of transport policy already during this term. It is also necessary to investigate a fixed connection through the Baltic Sea, including the bridge-tunnel connection to Stockholm.

Changes in geotage challenges Finland to redeem the development of foreign connections and international accessibility, says Jyri Häkämies, CEO of EK:

“The Western integration of our country also applies to traffic: we need stronger traffic connections to the rest of Europe and the world to grow and trade foreign trade. This is also required by the reduction of the security situation, which has already been concretized in repeated destruction of the Baltic Sea. Therefore, it is important that NATO partnerships are now built on strong traffic knitwear. ”

“Exploring new foreign connections and their different options must be raised to the number one agency in transport policy. We have to be prepared for the continuous work of infrastructure projects over the government, which continues to be phased in until the 2040s and 2050s. The whole must also be taken into account the needs of ports and other domestic transport infrastructure. ”

To pave the work, EK, PALTA and Rakennustehuus RT have today published a report on traffic connections, the Finnish corporate field in particular. The statement of these must be launched already during this term: Fixed traffic through the Baltic Sea; Analyzing three bridge/tunnel options. EU track width from Haparanda to Oulu, Raahe and Rovaniemi. Preparing for maritime safety threats and ways to accelerate the green transition. Improving the competitiveness of air traffic and promoting sustainable fuels.

Logistic pouch must be opened

The above investigations should aim to find Finland's sustainable solutions for its big vulnerability: we are a logistical bag, whose foreign trade is now based on 95 % of the shipping of the Baltic Sea. Home market companies also have a strong dependence on the routes and flight connections of the Baltic Sea.

Particular interest is on the study of solid Baltic Sea connections. The government should focus on three new alternative intervals: Helsinki -Stockholm (bridge/ tunnel), Vaasa -Uumaja (bridge/ tunnel) and Helsinki -Tallinn (tunnel). In the case of these, partnerships with the Nordic and Baltic countries must also be explored and the EU will have to take into account the combination of the capital's high -speed trains. Find out more about Destia's draft

source: https://ek.fi/ajankohtaista/tiedotteet/suomen-varauduttava-jattiurakkaan-itameren-turvallisuusuhat-edellyttavat-uusia-liikenneyhteyksia-lanteen-ja-maailmalle/