Finland has applied for financial support from the EU for transport infrastructure projects in the ports of Turku and Helsinki. Finland's aid applications relate to two projects, 'LNG in Baltic Ports' and 'Baltic Port Information Exchange (Baltic PIX)', the latter of which aims at developing the information and traffic arrangements in port areas.
The applications submitted by Finland fall under the Motorways of the Seas project category covered by the multi-annual programme. According to the preliminary timetable released by the Commission, decisions on the TEN-T support will be made in March 2012. Before this, steps will be taken to carry out an eligibility check of the projects, along with external and internal evaluations and a consultation of the TEN-T Financial Assistance Committee. The applications were submitted to the EU Commission on 23 September 2011.
The Baltic Ports LNG project will be carried out in cooperation between the ports of Aarhus, Helsingborg, Helsinki, Malmö-Copenhagen, Tallinn, Turku, Riga, Stockholm and Szczecin-Swinoujscie. The ports taking part in the project are willing to invest in the infrastructure for liquefied natural gas (LNG), used as a fuel in ships, and to develop LNG storage systems.
In the first phase, the ports of Helsinki and Turku are applying for support for the purpose of conducting studies on LNG storage possibilities. Studies may be funded up to 50 per cent of total costs, which in the case of Turku and Helsinki ports would mean a total of EUR 157,829 at most.
The Baltic PIX - Port Information Exchange is a joint venture between the ports of Helsinki and Hamburg, seeking to develop the information and traffic arrangements in port areas.
The overall budget of the project amounts to EUR 2.8 million of which Helsinki's share is EUR 1.8 million. In total, the port of Helsinki's application for support covers EUR 900,000.
Further information:
Ms Leena Sirkjärvi, Coordinator, tel. +358 40 033 9196
