Growing Trade, But Slowing Unitized Short Sea Shipping: Analysing Finland and Germany

Abstract

Abstract In this research is being analyzed trade relationship and unitized maritime cargo between Germany and Finland. Focus in longitudinal analysis (2001-2017) is on maritime transport, and particularly within the development of different Finnish sea ports in unitized German cargo handling. Trade has been significantly growing over the decades and is on record highs in the most recent year (2017). Germany has also become largest trade partner of Finland. However, after 2003 trade bas been on growing deficit path, and is currently more than one billion deficits for Finland. Rather surprisingly, unitized cargo flows are not growing as much as trade suggests. Still best years are from time before Global Financial Crisis (GFC). Some sea ports in Southwest of Finland have been on clear declining path, while largest sea ports could be considered as somehow sustaining in volumes. Growth is on some smaller and mid-sized sea ports, which have direct regional need for German trade. Hinterland transports through Baltic States must have taken share of direct maritime transports from Finnish sea ports.