Decrease in cargo volume in first months of Vuosaari Harbour

Harbour entrepreneurs struggle through recession

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The grim economic news of recent months has overshadowed the first months of operations at the Vuosaari Harbour in the east of Helsinki.
     Business figures for the first two months of this year came out on Tuesday. They indicate a decline of about a quarter compared with the corresponding time last year.
     The figures show that 1.34 million tonnes of unitized cargo came into the harbour in January and February, representing a decline of 28 per cent compared with the same period last year. The decline in exported goods was greater than that in imports.
     
The reduction in goods transport has a direct effect on the businesses and transport services operating in the harbour. The harbour itself employs relatively few people, and the effects of the slowdown are not as great on the harbour, says Kari Noroviita, director of the Vuosaari Harbour Centre.
     For instance, Seija Turunen of the Finnlines shipping company says that the company Is currently engaged in negotiations with employees of its subsidiary Finnsteve on reduced work at the harbour. Turunen says that things have been going badly in the harbour business since November and December.
     The reduction in unitized cargo during the two months was about half a million tonnes compared with the previous years. This means a shortfall of at least EUR one million, but less than EUR 1.5 million. Noroviita did not want to focus on the numbers.
     “The harbour was built to serve the transport of Finland’s foreign trade. Its significance is somewhere other than in the finances of the harbour itself. It is also a matter of urban structure, whose importance is not measured on the basis of one dip.”
     
The decline cannot be seen in numbers of vessels yet, Noroviita says, but the ships carry less goods than before. In Vuosaari, the number of container transport ships declined by 16 per cent, but their loads went down by nearly a quarter. The number of lorries declined by 22 per cent, and their loads were reduced by 28 per cent.
     Exports that go through Vuosaari are the same types of goods that go from other ports. “It is a cross-section of Finnish exports. Imports are mainly consumer goods.”
     The numbers follow the national and global economic situation. However, Noroviita would like to be an optimist. “I hope that the figures will not go down further.”
     
“It is not possible to influence the consumption of goods and products”, said Jouko Santala, director of the Finnish Port operators Association.
     Looking at production figures for industry, future developments do not look good. There have been a few surprises: “Sawn timber has moved well briefly. We need to be happy for every kilo of goods that move on the ship”, Santala pointed out.
     He says that many companies are holding discussions with personnel on adapting to the situation. There have been some job cuts, although he says that the companies are trying to get by with just temporary redundancies.
     “Vuosaari is in as difficult a situation as the other harbours. However, it is positive that the harbour has operated very well.”


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Focus on Helsinki harbour activities shifts to new Vuosaari facility (24.11.2008)
  Minor hitches overshadow snowy startup of Vuosaari Harbour (25.11.2008)
  Sörnäinen Harbour will move to Vuosaari overnight on November 24th (17.11.2008)

Links:
  Port of Helsinki info 31.3.2009 Economic trends reflected in traffic volumes (PDF file)

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