Freight trains operate empty from Finland to Russia amid reduced traffic in Vainikkala

Freight trains are now operating empty from Finland to Russia. On average, four or five freight trains traverse the Vainikkala rail yard in Lappeenranta daily — half arriving in Finland and half returning to Russia. These trains typically transport fertilizers such as urea and ammonia, as well as nickel ore.

“There are empty wagons on the side heading to Russia,” noted Juha Pentikäinen, the chief customs officer in Nuijamaa. Previously, Vainikkala facilitated the transport of copper ore to Russia, but those shipments have ceased, according to Pentikäinen.

Traffic towards Russia is rarely seen in Vainikkala. Approximately 700 freight wagons head to Russia weekly, and only a few may carry cargo — either direct shipments to Russia or transit cargoes destined for other countries.

Freight train traffic has diminished significantly. Before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, around ten trains passed through Vainikkala daily. This number dropped to a maximum of five trains per day due to the war, with recent reports indicating a slight further decrease as some incoming trains have been canceled sporadically.

Nurminen Logistics Services announced on Tuesday that it is halting regular operations at its Vainikkala terminal. The terminal is no longer in daily use, but it can be reactivated for larger customer orders. Customs officer Pentikäinen and Jukka Ronni, head of railways at the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency, indicated that the closure of the terminal will not impact other operations in Vainikkala. Overall, cargo processing through the terminal has been minimal lately, though maintenance and traffic management for the railways will continue, as even a few trains require oversight.