Finnish operators apply for more than EUR 73 million of EU funding for transport projects

Finland’s Central Government and other operators are applying for a total of approximately EUR 73.36 million in financial support for 11 transport projects from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) for Transport. In addition, EU funding is being sought for the acquisition of a new icebreaker. The Ministerial Finance Committee decided in favour of the applications on 19 December 2024.

EU funding available for Finland to apply for totals EUR 960 million. Funding can be applied for traffic IT systems, in other words, intelligent and interoperable mobility projects, for example. The funding is granted by the European Commission, which aims to promote the implementation of the ITS (Intelligent Transport Service) Directive. 

“To ensure Finland’s best interests, we are applying for maximum EU funding. The projects promote safe, functional and sustainable traffic in all situations throughout Finland,” says Minister of Transport and Communications Lulu Ranne.

The aim of the funding is to promote investments in the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). The TEN-T combines rail, inland waterways, roads, maritime and air routes into a single transport network. The European Commission requires that national funding covers between 50% and 70% of the total project costs.

State applying for funding for the acquisition of an icebreaker and transport connections in Northern Finland

The state is applying for a total of EUR 22.81 million in funding for four projects.

Projects:

1. Improvement of Highway 21 between Palojoensuu and Kilpisjärvi

The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency and the Lapland Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment are applying for EUR 11.90 million in funding to improve the resilience of the Highway 21 traffic infrastructure. The aim is to improve road safety and the accessibility of the sparsely populated area as well as to support security of supply and military mobility in Northern Finland. The project includes both planning and construction. For example, the project will widen or, if necessary, reconstruct more than 30 kilometres of road, reinforce road sections to prevent damage caused by the melting of permafrost, replace three bridges and improve lighting.

2. Implementation of digital management of rail traffic capacity 2025–2029

The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency and RailNet Europe are applying for EUR 2.05 million in funding for Finland. Funding is being applied for together with ten EU Member States. The project develops the planning process for rail traffic capacity and track work. The aim is to make the management and allocation of rail traffic capacity more systematic and efficient in order to make better use of scarce railway capacity.

3. European Intelligent Transport Services project

The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency and Fintraffic are applying for EUR 8.84 million in funding. Funding is being applied for together with operators located in 12 EU Member States. The project aims to improve traffic control systems and the operations of road traffic centres. For example, the project will upgrade the traffic control system of the Vuosaari road tunnel. 

4. Intelligent maritime transport services

Fintraffic Vessel Traffic Services Ltd, the Finnish Meteorological Institute and Finnish private operators are applying for EUR 36 290 in funding. Funding is being applied for together with Swedish and Spanish operators. The aim of the project is to develop vessel traffic services and related information systems and other services.

5. Acquisition of a new icebreaker

The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency is applying for funding for a new Class B icebreaker to operate on the Baltic Sea, intended to replace the ageing icebreaking fleet. The building of the new icebreaker is estimated to begin in early 2026 and be completed in 2028. The vessel concept development would be carried out in accordance with the preliminary concept design of the WINMOS III project, which previously received CEF funding.  Information related to the funding of the icebreaker acquisition is not disclosed, in accordance with section 24, paragraphs 17 and 20 of the Act on the Openness of Government Activities (621/1999) concerning business secrets.

Private operators applying for funding for ports and intelligent transport services

Companies operating in Finland are applying for a total of EUR 50.56 million in CEF funding for seven projects. 

Projects: 

1. Development of the maritime traffic connection between the ports of Helsinki and Lübeck

Port of Helsinki Ltd is applying for EUR 15.18 million in funding.

2. Development of the maritime traffic connection between Hanko and Rostock

Port of Hanko Ltd is applying for EUR 8.75 million in funding. 

3. Development of port infrastructure and improvement of resilience at the Port of Turku

Port of Turku Ltd is applying for EUR 4.92 million in funding.

4. Implementation of the remote air traffic control concept in Finland and Sweden

Finavia Corporation and Fintraffic Air Navigation Services Ltd are applying for EUR 11.44 million in funding. 

5. Maritime emissions reductions through operational means

Fintraffic Vessel Traffic Services Ltd and several Finnish operators are applying for EUR 8.96 million in funding.

6. Implementation and updating of ITS infrastructure and services

Fintraffic Ltd and Fintraffic Road Ltd are applying for EUR 300,000 in funding.

7. Expansion of the acceleration of electronic freight and transport data flow

Fintraffic Ltd is applying for a total of EUR 1 million in funding.

What’s next?

The application period for European Commission funding ends on 21 January 2025. According to the Commission's preliminary notification, funding decisions will be taken in July 2025.  

Inquiries:

Marjukka Vihavainen-Pitkänen, Senior Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 40 825 1255, marjukka.vihavainen-pitkanen(at)gov.fi