Government of Finland

11/20/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/20/2024 07:56

Saimaa Canal sailing season ends on 20 November

Saimaa Canal sailing season ends on 20 November

Ministry of Transport and Communications
Publication date 20.11.2024 10.44 | Published in English on 20.11.2024 at 15.51
Press release
Passenger boat on the Saimaa Canal in summer 2021. (Image: LVM)

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.

Each year, the delegates agree on the length of the sailing season and the date on which it will open for traffic. This year, the season was agreed to last from 24 June to 31 December 2024. However, with no vessel traffic in the canal, the season will end earlier. The decision on the length of the sailing season is made according to the Saimaa Canal lease agreement adopted by Parliament.

Following the decision to end the season, no cargo or passenger vessels will pass through the canal. During the sailing season, the traffic is subject to government decisions and the sanctions imposed by the EU.

The Saimaa Canal is 43 kilometres long. Nearly half of the canal runs through an area leased from Russia.

Inquiries:

Seppo Kykkänen, Head of the Saimaa Canal Delegate's Office, tel. +358 29 534 2580, seppo.kykkanen(at)gov.fi