Source: Baltic Transport Journal 5/2017

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Heritage corner
F
inland has been a sovereign country
since December 6th
, 1917. Before,
it had been a part of Sweden but
after Napoleonic Wars it became
part of the Russian Empire. Although
the First World War and the revolution
in Russia were really tragic, there was no
better time for the Finns to establish a truly
separate state. The personal union between
Russia and Grand Duchy of Finland
weakened after the February revolution,
when Tsar Nicholas II was forced to
abdicate. From then on, all happened
quickly. Lenin overtook the power, and
the Finnish people, emboldened by the
disorder in Russia, declared themselves as
independent state. However, it was not over
yet – unfortunately, the communist bacillus
wandered to Finland as well (Winston
Churchill once said, that the Germans
transported Lenin in a sealed truck from
Switzerland into Russia like a plague
Exactly one hundred years ago, Finland gained its independence. On this occasion, the BTJ team would
like to congratulate our Finnish partners and friends, and say a few words about Suomi100 to those
who did not have a chance to hear about this important anniversary.
bacillus). The young country had to fight
the civil war, but all in all, independence
was saved. The mid-war period finished in
1939, when the Ribbentrop-Molotov treaty
divided Central and Eastern Europe into
the German and Soviet sphere of influence.
Soon, this small country showed how to
fight for independence.
The advantage was on the Soviet side
– one million soldiers, several thousand
Happy birthday, Finland!
by Maciej Kniter
Photo:Tallink
#Suomi100
We, as a representative of Finnish sea- and inland-ports, are extremely proud
to be much involved with everything within the framework of Suomi100. Our
input was i.a. organising the annual conference in Rauma last September,
where all 150 port executives and experts honoured this year’s anniversary.
During this meeting, Paula Risikko, Minister of the Interior, shared her views
on safety and security in the country, because Finnish port companies not only
play crucial role in the country’s national emergency supply chain, but also
have a significant civil role in national safety and security tasks co-operating
with authorities as police, customs, and coast guard. Finnish Ports congratulate celebrating Finland
and shares the appreciation of the Independency.
Annaleena Mäkilä
Managing Director, Finnish Port Association
tanks and aircrafts against some 200,000
Finns supported by a handful of tanks and
symbolic air force. However, the result was
completely different – the main Soviet
goal – to occupy whole country, was not
achieved. Finland defended itself, although
with a cost of losing the most valuable
land – Karelia, Petsamo, Salla, Kuusamo,
and islands in the Gulf of Finland. The
country regained the lost territory during
Photos:WikimediaCommons

2. 88 | Baltic Transport Journal | 5/2017
the so-called continuation war, after the
German attack on the USSR, but the Soviets
re-conquered them again. Let’s stop here,
and try to read the message from Finland.
What’s the lesson after reading all of it?
Wait for the most convenient moment.
Try to make use of the time. Do not hesi-
tate once you see the goal. Be brave and
have no fear. Even when everything seems
to be against, you can try to defend what’s
most precious. Maybe you’re no talk, all
action.
Part of the story
And where was transport during those
times? The first rail line on the stretch of
Helsinki-Hämeenlinna was opened in 1862.
However, Finnish and Russian rails were
unconnected until 1912, when the so-called
Finland Railway Bridge was built. At the
beginning of the 20th
century, Finland’s rail-
way map was quite developed, linking all
major cities in the country.
According to Statistics Finland, the
automotive history started in 1900, with
the coming of two first passenger cars to
Finland. In the 1920s, there were already
1,800 automobiles and 800 motorbikes (at
the end of 2016, the register had 6,316,531
vehicles). Finnish roads changed over
Helsinki, the capital of Finland, was originally founded as a harbour town in
1550, because the location was excellent for sea transport on the Baltic Sea.
Today, the Port of Helsinki is located at the heart of Finnish consumption and
trade, and it is the most significant foreign trade port in Finland. The value of
the goods transported through the Port of Helsinki is approximately 50% of the
value of all sea transport, and this is something we do for our independence
– we supply the country with all the necessary goods. In addition, the annual
financial impact of the Port of Helsinki adds some EUR 2.6 billion to the country’s
budget. Let’s not forget that the financial and employment impacts of the port cover the entire country,
not only Helsinki and its surrounding areas. Finland’s centennial year is also significant for our port –
records will be broken in terms of the amount of both passenger and goods traffic.
Kimmo Mäki
CEO, Port of Helsinki
Photo:WikimediaCommons

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Heritage corner
the years, too. At the beginning of the
20th
century, they were mostly made of
gravel, having a tendency to develop a
bumpy "washboard" surface. The pro-
gress was made in the 1920s, when 16-kil-
ometres stretch of bitumen paving was
experimentally laid. Interestingly, in
1925, the total length of roads that were
ploughed in winter was only 40 kilome-
tres. Compare it to 11,000 kilometres of
the total of 33,700 in 1939.
The Port of Kaskinen has been existing since the 18th
century, and is known
to be a good natural port. At the end of the continuation war in 1944, the
area near the port, namely in the village of Nämpnäs, played an important
role during the secret operation of Stella Polaris. It was a cover name for
transporting intelligence, data, equipment, and personnel to Sweden, to be able
to support guerrilla warfare in Finland in the event of Soviet occupation. The
Port of Kaskinen has always been an important export harbour for the forest
industry. The country is dependent on all its ports, since over 90% of all trade
goes through the Finnish ports. The Port of Kaskinen is celebrating the 100th
independence anniversary
with a big party with over 200 invited key guests and speakers.
Patrik Hellman
Project Director, Port of Kaskinen

4. 90 | Baltic Transport Journal | 5/2017
The interwar period also witnessed the
origins of the Finnish aviation. In 1923,
today’s Finnair, then known as Aero was
founded, and in March one year later
Aero’s first flight ever took place from
Helsinki to Tallin on a Junkers F-13.
It was in fact a seaplane, using skis in
winter and floats in summer, because
there were no commercial airfields on
land in Finland.
The Finnish people happily celebrate
the centenary anniversary of their state.
The Port of Oulu has undergone major development in recent centuries, decades
and years. However, there is no room for slowing down – quite the opposite,
in fact. The investments that will be put in place in the coming years will
take the Port of Oulu’s ability to provide service to a whole new level. We have
celebrated the anniversary by working hard and preparing to the harbour’s
channel deepening project. We have had the historical photo exhibit with the
Finnish Seamen’s Mission in Oulu as well.
Marko Mykkänen
Managing Director, Port of Oulu
This year Finland turns 100 years old. The centenary of independence is the
most significant one for the current generation of Finns, an anniversary that
has been celebrated all year long throughout Finland and also beyond Finland’s
borders. The theme “Together” has inspired hundreds of thousands of Finns and
friends of Finland to arrange the programme. Over 700,000 people have been
involved in preparing for the centenary year, and up to September 2017, nearly
5,000 different projects have been accepted to the centenary programme. Our
birthday has been celebrated in more than 100 different countries and on every
continent. Especially Finland’s neighbours, Sweden and Norway, as well as Estonia have offered a wide
variety of centenary events in 2017. The celebration of Finland’s independence culminates in Finland’s
Independence Day, on December 6th
. This special moment in the history of our country will be honoured
with joy and dignity. The climax will be rich and memorable: The official celebrations start already on
Independence Day Eve, on December 5th
, and take place in Finland as well as abroad.
Sara Vihavainen
Senior Communications Specialist, Suomi100
As a birthday gift to Finland, Tallink Silja wants to support Hope – a Finnish
charity association. Thanks to Hope, low-income families and families facing
a sudden crisis are able to get assistance. In addition, we’d like to celebrate
the Finnish cuisine – our customers participated in a survey, and on that basis
our restaurant team designed the Finland 100 Grande Buffet. And of course
onboard Silja Line ships you can buy the products manufactured by Finnish
enterprises especially in honor of the jubilee year.
Marika Nöjd
Communications Director, Tallink Silja
All year long, many events are being
organized under one name Suomi100. The
list of those who take part in the “Finnish
birthday party” is really diverse, and
besides those who gave their statements in
this section you can find e.g. Associations
of North Karelia, Finland Youth Forum,
many conferences commemorating the
independence in a both “regular,” and
typically Finnish way – like building a
sauna in Åland Island. We too would like
to wish you all the best! Onnittelut! ‚