Saimaa Canal traffic suspends next week

The Saimaa Canal traffic season is about to end, and the last vessels will pass through the canal in next week, said an official press release.

The canal will remain closed for the winter break for about six weeks. If weather conditions allow, the canal will be opened again on 22 March.

While the canal is closed for the winter break, locks will be maintained and moveable bridges in the leased areas will be renovated.

According to the preliminary information, after the end of winter break, the canal will be seeing a lot of traffic.

In 2020, about 1.3 million tonnes of goods passed through the Saimaa Canal, which is a year-on-year increase of more than 25%.

Due to coronavirus restrictions, there was no recreational or passenger vessel traffic in the canal in 2020.

Since the beginning of December, the detachable bow Saimaa, owned by the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency, has operated on the Lake Saimaa together with the tug boat Calypso.