Peak performance in sight even though Russian import transit is still low
The transport volumes at the Port of HaminaKotka are at an all-time high level. The volumes of cargo carried in the early part of 2018 increased by 14.9. per cent on the previous year.
The upward turn in port traffic took place in 2016. This was preceded by a long downward trend, which commenced by the bankruptcy of the American investment bank Lehman Brothers ten years ago.
The global recession pulled down the transport volumes at the ports of Hamina and Kotka, which were later merged into the Port of HaminaKotka, by 3 to 4 per cent per year. The decline was relieved by the Nord Stream I gas pipe project, which began in 2011.
Wide span in growth
In 2016, signs of growth were evident at a level of 3 per cent, but in 2017 the growth rate was as high as 9.5 per cent.
“We are particularly pleased with the wide scope of the growth. There are growth figures in almost all sectors of transport,” says Kimmo Naski, CEO of Port of HaminaKotka Ltd.
According to Kimmo Naski, it is noteworthy that the port is performing well despite the sluggish volumes of transit to Russia. In fact, Russian exports via the Port of HaminaKotka out into the world are at peak figures, but the volumes of transport to Russia are still far behind the all-time high volumes, although there is already growth in this sector of transport, too.
“Russian transit is a major existing opportunity for us.”
Big profits
The Port of HaminaKotka has been a source of several excellent pieces of news recently. These make the head of the port very satisfied:
The gas pipes produced within the Nord Stream II project will soon start to move ahead from Mussalo. The transport of giant modules by the Belgian company Sarens Group from Hamina to Kazakhstan will begin in the early summer. In February, UPM announced that it is preparing a very large-scale bioprocessing plant at Mussalo.
The most recent big victory for the port company is the decision concerning the construction of a world-class pulp centre in the new area at the Mussalo Harbour together with Steveco and UPM.
“We are reaching to the sky but keeping our feet to the ground,” is how Kimmo Naski describes the current situation.
Further readings : Port of HaminaKotka newsletter Loiste 1/2018
