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Processing of personal data in the Ministry of Transport and Communications The Ministry of Transport and Communications must process personal data for various purposes in order to carry out the work falling within its mandate. The processing is n...

Networks and services Objective and tasks Communications networks Transport system Passenger, goods and freight transport 1. Objective and tasks We at the Ministry of Transport and Communications are committed to developing Finland’s transport sys...

11.2.2026 | VR-Group Plc and Suomen Ostoliikennekalusto Oy announced today that they have signed an asset purchase agreement concerning the rolling stock used in passenger rail services funded by the government. The rolling stock will be transferred to Suomen Ostoliikennekalusto's ownership from the beginning of March.

14.2.2025 | Finland and Sweden will strengthen their cooperation in renewing their icebreaker fleets and ensuring operational coordination. This was decided when the Governments of Finland and Sweden met in September 2024.

13.11.2025 | The Government proposes that the President of the Republic approve amendments to the Act on Transport Services on 14 November 2025. These legislative amendments give municipalities and joint municipal and other regional authorities the option to arrange passenger rail services in their respective areas. The amended act will also provide for the grounds to be taken into account when making changes to the distribution of regional competence concerning local rail transport.

22.1.2025 | The Ministry of Transport and Communications requests comments on a draft government proposal that would amend the regulation concerning rail transport. The legislative amendments would enhance the safety and security of urban rail transport and give an extension of time to the forest and chemicals industries for procuring rolling stock that meets the EU requirements. The deadline for submitting comments is 5 March 2025. 

13.11.2025 | The Government proposes that the President of the Republic approve amendments to the Rail Transport Act and the Act on Transport Services on 14 November 2025. The amendments will enhance the safety and security of urban rail transport and allow more time to procure rolling stock that meets EU requirements for use in the forest and chemicals industries.

16.10.2025 | The Ministry of Transport and Communications is preparing a long-term investment programme, based on the Government Programme, to renew Finland’s icebreaking fleet. In addition, Sanna Ruuskanen, Director of Unit at the Ministry of Transport and Communications, will be appointed as a new member of the Board of Directors of Arctia Ltd, Finland’s state-owned icebreaking company.

2.9.2025 | The Government of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has reached a decision on its budget proposal for 2026. The Government’s decisions aim to support economic growth, which is picking up. Supporting economic growth and continuing responsible fiscal management is necessary to ensure the security of people in Finland and safeguard their access to important services going forward.

12.6.2025 | On 12 June 2025, the Government submitted a proposal to Parliament to amend the Act on Transport Services. The proposal would grant municipalities, joint municipal and other regional authorities the possibility to arrange passenger train services in their regions. It would also put in grounds to make changes to the regional competence on local rail transport.

16.6.2025 | On 16 June 2025, the Ministerial Committee on Economic Policy decided that the central government would continue its preparations for the competitive tendering of publicly funded passenger rail services. The current contract with VR Group is due to expire at the end of 2030, with a new contract period of about ten years scheduled to start on 1 January 2031.

10.10.2025 | Finland and the United States have signed a memorandum of understanding on icebreaker cooperation. Finnish President Alexander Stubb and US President Donald Trump signed the memorandum of understanding at their meeting in Washington on 9 October. Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo also attended the meeting. This memorandum of understanding lays the foundation for commercial agreements between the United States Coast Guard and Finnish companies.

9.10.2025 | The rolling stock company Suomen Ostoliikennekalusto Oy will be transferred from VR Group to direct state ownership and ownership steering at the Prime Minister’s Office. The transfer of ownership is a significant step in preparing for the competitive tendering of rail transport services.

12.6.2025 | On 12 June 2025, the Government submitted a proposal to Parliament to amend the Rail Transport Act and the Act on Transport Services. The amendments would enhance the safety and security of urban rail transport. They would provide more time to procure rolling stock that meets the EU requirements for the use of the forest and chemicals industries.

16.2.2023 | On 16 February, the President of the Republic approved an amendment to the Act on Environmental and Energy Efficiency Requirements for Vehicle and Transport Service Procurements. The Act will enter into force on 20 February. With the health and social services reform, the Act will be amended so that the requirements assigned to municipalities will transfer to the wellbeing services counties, which started operating on 1 January 2023.

16.2.2023 | On 16 February, the President of the Republic approved an amendment to the Act on Environmental and Energy Efficiency Requirements for Vehicle and Transport Service Procurements. The Act will enter into force on 20 February. With the health and social services reform, the Act will be amended so that the requirements assigned to municipalities will transfer to the wellbeing services counties, which started operating on 1 January 2023.

11.8.2025 | The Ministry of Transport and Communications proposes that EUR 3.78 billion be allocated to its administrative branch for 2026. This is about EUR 60 million less than in the 2025 Budget.

17.2.2025 | The Ministry of Transport and Communications requests comments on the draft government proposal concerning the competent authorities in rail transport. Comments can be submitted until 14 March 2025.

15.2.2022 | Due to the health and social services reform, the Act on environmental and energy efficiency requirements in vehicle and transport services procurement will be reviewed.

15.2.2022 | Due to the health and social services reform, the Act on environmental and energy efficiency requirements in vehicle and transport services procurement will be reviewed.