Finnish operators apply for more than EUR 325 million of EU funding for transport projects

Finland’s Central Government and other actors are applying for a total of approximately EUR 325.13 million in financial support for 21 transport projects from the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) for Transport. The Central Government is applying for EUR 67.2 million in funding for 11 projects and other actors participating in state projects are applying for EUR 39.7 million. In addition, private operators are applying for a total of EUR 218.22 million for 10 projects. The government projects are either a continuation of previously decided projects or have been decided on in the Government Programme. The Ministerial Finance Committee decided in favour of the applications on 18 January 2024.

In this round of applications, around EUR 7 billion of EU funding is available, especially for sustainable transport projects in which European transport infrastructure is built and improved. The European Commission requires that national funding covers between 50% and 70% of the total project costs.

"Transport networks and services are the foundation of Finland's competitiveness. It is therefore of great importance that we apply for maximum EU funding for our projects, especially now that Finland's economic situation is so dark. Investment financing must be secured and debt avoided by all reasonable means,” says Minister of Transport and Communications Lulu Ranne.

The aim of the financing granted by the European Commission 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.

State applying for funding for rail and intelligent transport projects

Applications have been submitted for a sum of EUR 106.9 million to be used in 11 central government projects. Of this sum the Central Government has applied for EUR 67.2 million and other operators have applied for EUR 39.7 million.

The largest sum of funding applied for is intended for the construction of the Espoo urban railway line. The Espoo urban railway is the first phase of the high-speed rail project between Helsinki and Turku.

With regard to rail traffic, the state is also applying for funding for the planning of the Riihimäki–Tampere rail line, the construction of the Tampere passenger railway yard, the improvement of the main rail line between Hyvinkää and Riihimäki, the planning of the Karelian rail line between Imatra and Joutseno, the planning of the Tampere–Jyväskylä rail line and the planning of the speed and capacity increase of the Savo rail line.

In addition, applications are being submitted for financing of the Digirail project, in which the line section between Tampere and Pori will be equipped with a European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS).

The state is also applying for funding for intelligent transport projects that would be used to develop intelligent transport systems on roads and sea routes.

Projects:

1. Planning of the Riihimäki-Tampere rail line
The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency is applying for EUR 1.75 million in funding.

2. Second phase of the Tampere passenger railway yard’s construction
The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency is applying for EUR 5.33 million in funding, while the other actors are applying for EUR 355,592.

3. Construction of the Espoo urban railway
The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency is applying for EUR 29.98 million in funding, while the other actors are applying for EUR 29.42 million.

4. Improvements to the main rail line between Hyvinkää and Riihimäki
The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency is applying for EUR 5.5 million in funding, while the other actors are applying for EUR 100,000.

5. Planning the Karelian rail line between Imatra and Joensuu
The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency is applying for EUR 3 million in funding.

6. Planning of the second phase of the Tampere-Jyväskylä rail line between Lahdenperä and Jämsä
The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency is applying for EUR 3.07 million in funding.

7. Planning an increase in the speed and capacity of the Savo rail line
The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency is applying for EUR 2.25 million in funding.

8. Digirail I - equipping with the European Rail Traffic Management System
The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency is applying for EUR 12.83 million in funding.

9. C-Roads Extended
The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency is applying for EUR 331,500 in funding.

10. European Intelligent Transport Services project
The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency is applying for EUR 2.77 million in funding, while the other actors are applying for EUR 5.75 million.

11. Intelligent maritime transport services
The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency is applying for EUR 445,179 in funding, while the other actors are applying for EUR 4 million.

Companies operating in Finland applying for funding for ports and tracks

Companies operating in Finland are applying for a total of EUR 218.22 million in CEF funding for 10 projects.

Projects:

1. Development of the western rail line between Helsinki and Turku
Turku One Hour Train Ltd is applying for EUR 176.28 million in funding.

2. Planning of the Lentorata rail line to the airport
Lentorata oy is applying for EUR 4.7 million in funding.

3. Construction of shore-side electricity and a solar power farm at Port of Pori
Port of Pori Ltd is applying for EUR 1.89 million in funding.

4. Construction of shore-side electricity at Port of Kemi.
Port of Kemi Ltd is applying for EUR 1.34 million in funding.

5. Improvements to the infrastructure at Port of Raahe for the needs of offshore wind power
Port of Raahe Ltd is applying for EUR 7.99 million in funding.

6. Construction of quay infrastructure and shore-side electricity at Port of Kaskinen
Port of Kaskinen Ltd is applying for EUR 6.51 million in funding.

7. Development projects for the ports of Helsinki and Tallinn
The Port of Helsinki is applying for EUR 14.37 million in funding.

8. The first time Finnish rolling stock will be equipped with ERTMS
VR is applying for EUR 2.61 million in funding.

9. European maritime sector’s service environment
Fintraffic Vessel Traffic Services Ltd is applying for EUR 424,900 in funding.

10. Expansion of electronic transport data to speed up freight and transport data
Kouvola Innovation, Vediafi Oy and Ahola Group are applying for EUR 2,12 million in funding.

What's next?

The application period for European Commission funding ends on 30 January 2024. According to the Commission's preliminary notification, financing decisions will be taken in June-July 2024. 

The Commission will open a 2024 round of funding applications for alternative energy forms infrastructure in early 2024 and for other projects during the autumn.

Inquiries:

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