The project to widen the Vaasa fairway and harbour progressed faster than expected: work began in May 2025, and both dredging and navigation aid works were completed by September. The project was originally scheduled for completion by the end of 2025.
Traffic on the widened fairway commenced on 27 October 2025 following the official fairway commissioning decision.
The project included dredging and disposal works related to widening both the fairway and the harbour area, as well as upgrading the navigation safety equipment. The fairway was widened from 100 to 140 metres, allowing larger vessels to enter Vaasa Harbour. Previously, the maximum vessel size was approximately 200 metres long and 30 metres wide – now the harbour can accommodate ships over 240 metres in length and 36 metres in width.
– “The widening of the fairway is a highly significant step forward for Vaasa Harbour as part of a broader development package, which also includes the earlier extension of the main cargo quay. It was also important that we were able to reuse the dredged material for expanding the harbour area – this was essential from an environmental perspective as well,” says Janne Pylkkönen, CEO of Vaasa Harbour.
Vaasa City Project Engineer Joonas Haapala praises the smooth progress and excellent cooperation throughout the project:
– “The project progressed very well, and cooperation between all parties worked excellently under the leadership of the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency. I would like to thank everyone involved – collaboration has been seamless and efficient throughout the entire process.”
The total estimated cost of the project is EUR 10 million, of which EUR 6 million was covered by the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency and EUR 4 million by the City of Vaasa. The contractor for the project was Wasa Dredging Oy.