Editing Transport in Finland (section)

== Water transport ==
[[File:2017-03-23 Sampo in Port of Kemi (Finland) 02.jpg|thumb|Icebreaker Sampo in Port of [[Kemi]]]]
[[File:Port of Rauma panorama.jpg|thumb|left|Port of [[Rauma, Finland|Rauma]]]]
[[File:Port of Hamina.jpg|thumb|left|[[Port of Hamina-Kotka]]]]
[[Image:Viking XPRS 2008-04-29.jpg|thumb|right|[[Viking Line]] is one of several companies operating ferry service between [[Helsinki]] and [[Tallinn]].]]
The Finnish Maritime Administration is responsible for the maintenance of Finland's waterway network. Finland's waterways includes some {{convert|7600|km|mi}} of coastal fairways and {{convert|7900|km|mi}} of Finland waterways (on rivers, canals, and lakes). [[Saimaa Canal]] connects [[Lake Saimaa]], and thus much of the inland waterway system of Finland, with the [[Baltic Sea]] at [[Vyborg]] (Viipuri). However, the lower part of the canal is currently located in Russia. To facilitate through shipping, Finland leases the Russian section of the canal from Russia (the original agreement with the [[Soviet Union]] dates to 1963).<ref>[http://www.gosaimaa.com/en/About-area/Transportation/Transportation?id=b81cd4eb-23d4-4896-862e-9e223abdab4c Saimaa Canal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190213183814/https://www.gosaimaa.com/en/About-area/Transportation/Transportation?id=b81cd4eb-23d4-4896-862e-9e223abdab4c |date=13 February 2019 }} Go Saimaa</ref>

The largest general port is Port of Hamina-Kotka. [[Port of Helsinki]] is the busiest passenger harbour, and it also has significant cargo traffic.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://publications.theseus.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/65101/Kiiskinen_Lauri.pdf?sequence=1 |title=Security Threats of the Roro-ships in the Gulf of Finland |last=Kiiskinen |first=Lauri |date=2013 |publisher=Kymenlaakso polytechnic |access-date=15 January 2017}}</ref> By cargo tons, the five busiest ports are Hamina-Kotka, Helsinki, Rauma, Kilpilahti and [[Port of Naantali|Naantali]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www2.liikennevirasto.fi/julkaisut/pdf8/lti_2016-04_ulkomaan_meriliikennetilasto_web.pdf |title=Statistics on International Shipping |date=2016 |website=Statistics from the Finnish Transport Agency |access-date=15 January 2017 |archive-date=12 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012035219/http://www2.liikennevirasto.fi/julkaisut/pdf8/lti_2016-04_ulkomaan_meriliikennetilasto_web.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[Icebreaker]]s keep 23 ports open for traffic even in winter. The ports in [[Gulf of Bothnia]] need icebreakers in average six months a year, while in [[Gulf of Finland]] icebreakers are needed for three months a year.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ilmasto-opas.fi/en/ilmastonmuutos/vaikutukset/-/artikkeli/c3842cae-e78a-4d30-a538-73cafa8d165d/vesiliikenne.html |title=Climate change creates new prerequisites for shipping |website=Climate guide |access-date=15 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020125913/https://ilmasto-opas.fi/en/ilmastonmuutos/vaikutukset/-/artikkeli/c3842cae-e78a-4d30-a538-73cafa8d165d/vesiliikenne.html |archive-date=20 October 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Frequent ferry service connects Finland with [[Estonia]] and [[Sweden]]. [[Baltic Sea|Baltic]] [[cruise liners]] regularly call on the
port of Helsinki as well. In domestic service, ferries connect Finland's islands with the mainland. Finland's cargo ports
move freight both for Finland's own needs and for [[transshipment]] to Russia.

===Waterways and canals===
[[File:Joensuun kanava2.jpg|thumb|Timber floating on [[Joensuu]]]]
Finland's canals are primarily located in inland waters. The canals of the Finnish sea area are mostly made for small boating. In terms of water traffic, a significant reason for canalization has been floating operations. For water management, canals have been built especially for [[Log driving]] and hydropower projects. 

In order to lower and drain Lake Pohjalanjärvi, the depression of Rautajoki was deepened by canalization. The Finnish Waterways Association was founded in 1981 to promote the development of waterways and the construction of canals.