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21.5.2026 | The Government has appointed Anna-Mari Ahonen, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport and Communications, as the Saimaa Canal Delegate for a term of five years, from 1 June 2026 to 31 May 2031.

11.11.2025 | The Saimaa Canal delegates have decided that the sailing season in the canal will end on 14 November 2025. The season will end early, because there is no vessel traffic in the canal.

23.5.2025 | The Saimaa Canal delegates have decided that the sailing season in the canal will start on 26 May 2025 and last until 31 December 2025.

20.11.2024 | The Saimaa Canal delegates have decided that the sailing season in the canal will end on 20 November 2024. The season will end early, because there is no vessel traffic in the canal.

Ministry Sustainable growth, wellbeing and safety through knowledge and connections of the future Law drafting in the transport and communications sectors Cooperation with the European Union International cooperation Overseeing the agencies in the...

11.9.2024 | The work of the Saimaa Canal Advisory Board will be suspended for the time being. The Advisory Board has not met since Russia launched its war of aggression in Ukraine.

24.6.2024 | The Saimaa Canal delegates have decided that the sailing season in the canal will start on 24 June 2024 and last until 31 December 2024.

28.4.2023 | The Saimaa Canal delegates have decided that the sailing season in the Canal will start on 2 May 2023 and last until 31 December 2023. 

22.4.2022 | The work of the Saimaa Canal Commission continues. The Ministry of Transport and Communications has appointed the new members of the Saimaa Canal Commission for the five-year term 17 February 2022-16 February 2027. The Commission held the first meeting in its new composition on 21 April 2022.

20.1.2022 | On 20 January 2022, the Saimaa Canal Commission granted a permit to the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency for construction in the Saimaa Canal lease area. The Commission, which coordinates the positions of the Finnish authorities, considers that the development projects of the Saimaa Canal meet the obligations of the Saimaa Canal lease agreement. The projects are needed to develop the Canal and organise its vessel traffic. 

22.4.2022 | The work of the Saimaa Canal Commission continues. The Ministry of Transport and Communications has appointed the new members of the Saimaa Canal Commission for the five-year term 17 February 2022-16 February 2027. The Commission held the first meeting in its new composition on 21 April 2022.

25.3.2022 | The Saimaa Canal delegates have decided that the traffic season in the Canal will start on 28 March 2022 at 06.00.

25.3.2022 | The Saimaa Canal delegates have decided that the traffic season in the Canal will start on 28 March 2022 at 06.00.

20.1.2022 | On 20 January 2022, the Saimaa Canal Commission granted a permit to the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency for construction in the Saimaa Canal lease area. The Commission, which coordinates the positions of the Finnish authorities, considers that the development projects of the Saimaa Canal meet the obligations of the Saimaa Canal lease agreement. The projects are needed to develop the Canal and organise its vessel traffic. 

19.11.2020 | On Thursday, 19 November 2020, the Saimaa Canal Delegate of the Russian Federation reported that the traffic restrictions in the Russian side of the entrance fairway to the Saimaa Canal have been lifted. Vessel traffic in the part of the fairway leading to the Saimaa Canal in the Bay of Vyborg that is the responsibility of the Russian Federation is again allowed in the dark as of 19 November 2020 at 00.00.

7.6.2022 | In April 2022, the Ministry of Transport and Communications appointed the Saimaa Canal Advisory Board for a third term. The Advisory Board held its first meeting on 7 June to discuss topical issues related to the Saimaa Canal and the waterway transport in the Saimaa region.   

19.11.2020 | On Thursday, 19 November 2020, the Saimaa Canal Delegate of the Russian Federation reported that the traffic restrictions in the Russian side of the entrance fairway to the Saimaa Canal have been lifted. Vessel traffic in the part of the fairway leading to the Saimaa Canal in the Bay of Vyborg that is the responsibility of the Russian Federation is again allowed in the dark as of 19 November 2020 at 00.00.

7.6.2022 | In April 2022, the Ministry of Transport and Communications appointed the Saimaa Canal Advisory Board for a third term. The Advisory Board held its first meeting on 7 June to discuss topical issues related to the Saimaa Canal and the waterway transport in the Saimaa region.   

3.9.2024 | In 2025, the Government will launch several important transport infrastructure projects across Finland. The decision on new infrastructure investments was reached today, 3 September, in the government budget session. 

6.5.2021 | Minna Kivimäki, Master of Laws, was appointed by the Government as the Saimaa Canal Delegate for a term of office from 1 June 2021 to 31 May 2026.