Strengthening dual-use transport infrastructure in the Finnish Port of Pori

A CEF Transport project has upgraded infrastructure in the Port of Pori in southwestern Finland, improving both civilian and military mobility along the trans-European transport network.

Located on the coast of the Bothnian Sea, the port plays a strategic role thanks to its strong road and rail connections and its proximity to important military bases. By removing key infrastructure bottlenecks, the project has increased the port’s capacity to handle roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) and heavy cargo transport, while enabling the dual use of transport infrastructure for civilian and defence purposes.

Removing a bottleneck in a strategically important port

Before the project, the Port of Pori lacked a modern and safe RoRo ramp and had insufficient cargo parking capacity, limiting its ability to respond to growing demand for both commercial and military transport operations.

To address this, the project focused on targeted upgrades at Mäntyluoto Harbour, one of the main cargo areas of the port.

Works included:

• Construction of a new fixed RoRo ramp, increasing loading and unloading capacity.
• Upgrade of an adjacent cargo field, expanding temporary parking space for heavy and oversized cargo, including military equipment.

Supporting civilian–defence dual use and security of supply

The upgraded infrastructure allows the Port of Pori to efficiently handle RoRo traffic, heavy project cargo and military transport, strengthening its role in the European transport network.

The project eliminated a critical bottleneck caused by an outdated ramp and limited storage capacity, modernising the port area and enabling smoother cargo operations.

Thanks to its location near military bases, the improved facilities also support the strategic deployment of armed forces in the EU, contributing to stronger resilience and security of supply.

The new ramp and cargo field make it possible to use the same infrastructure for both commercial and defence purposes, ensuring efficient and sustainable use of resources.

Since early 2025, the new ramp and cargo field have been used for several civilian cargo operations, improving the efficiency of maritime logistics in the region.

The upgraded facilities also proved their value during joint military training exercises in Finland in April and May 2025, when military vehicles and equipment were transported through the port quickly and safely.

These operations demonstrated the importance of modern, flexible infrastructure capable of supporting both everyday transport needs and exceptional situations.