Merikuljetukset HaminaKotkan satamassa 2011-2014

Maritime transport is highly important, especially in Finland where most of the foreign trade transports are maritime. HaminaKotka is a general port which was made up of two ports, and it is one of the biggest ports in Finland. Its development towards regionalisation makes it an interesting subject of study. This thesis explains the maritime transport in the sea area of the port of HaminaKotka. The main objective of this study is to present the reasons behind the maritime transport in the study area and to answer the study questions: 1) How have the transports in HaminaKotka developed since the founding of the port 2011? 2) What are the most important factors affecting maritime transport in HaminaKotka? 3) How are the transport routes laid out in the area of HaminaKotka port? and 4) What kind of future can be expected for the ports transport? The research material consists of maritime transport statistics and previous studies and reports, and as a combination they create a picture of maritime transport in the parts of the port of HaminaKotka. The main materials are the transport statistics of HaminaKotka from the ports existence. The thesis was executed as a combination of statistical analysis and literature review. The statistic material was first studied analysed and then the results were evaluated with literature and previous studies. According to the statistics, total traffic volumes in HaminaKotka were reduced each year in 2011–2014. The biggest drop in volumes was between 2011 and 2012. The drop in traffic volumes was mainly caused by the bad economic situation during that time, because maritime transport is highly dependent on economic development in Finland as well as Russia and the rest of the world. Based on the research materials, it can be stated that the biggest transport flows went to those parts of the port which handled most of the transports and most of the biggest product groups. The biggest product groups by volume are paper, unitized cargo and chemicals, which remained the biggest groups during the study period. Hinterland connections are more and more important for maritime transport, because they improve the efficiency and competitiveness of the transport chains. The ports ability to act as a part of a broader transport network is also vital for its competitiveness in the future. Governance and political decisions have an important impact on funding and regulating the transportations, as public administration puts in a lot of capital in transport infrastructure; though private investments have a role as well. Different environmental laws and regulations can also have an effect on the competitiveness of maritime transport and on the competitiveness of a port in the future. A part of a transportation network, such as a port, has been formed into a particular environment, and its development and possible expansion can cause issues for the surrounding environment. Maritime transport will continue to follow the economic situation and its development. The future development of HaminaKotka will be dependent on the ports possible specialisation on the handling of certain cargos, on the investments in the port and the port's hinterland connections as well as regional policy issues.