EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT WORKING PAPER TRANSPORT IN THE ARCTIC REGION 4-1998 3789 W This publication is available in: EN (Original) DE, FT, SV PUBLISHER: European Parliament L - 2929 Luxembourg AUTHORS: Prof. Dr Eng. Tim0 Emvall, The Road and Transport Laboratory of the University of Oulu (Responsible person for the project) Mr Ari Tuutti, University of Oulu (Project manager) M.Sc. Juha Tapio (Senior researcher) M.Sc. Juhani Lehikoinen (Assistant research engineer) UNDER THE RESPONSABILITY OF: Franco Piodi Directorate General for Research Economic Affairs Division Tel.: (00352) 4300-24457 Fax: (00352) 43 40 71 E-mail: fpiodi Internet: fpiodi @europarl.eu.int The views in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Parliament. Reproduction and translation for non-commercial purposes are authorised provided the source is acknowledged and the publisher is given prior notice and sent a copy. Manuscript completed: March 1998 Transport in the arctic region CONTENTS Page 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................ 5 2. OVERVIEW OF THE STUDY AREA ................................ 6 2.1 Geographical Location ........................................ 6 2.2 Population .................................................. 8 2.3 Economic structure ........................................... 9 2.4 Car ownership .............................................. 12 3. TRANSPORT NETWORKS AND TRAFFIC FLOWS INTHESTUDYAREA ........................................... 13 3.1 Description of the existing transport systems ....................... 13 3.2 Euro-arctic network ......................................... 14 3.3 Major road networks .......................................... 16 3.4 Railway networks ........................................... 22 3.5 Existing ports and inland waterways ............................. 30 3.6 Airline routes .............................................. 31 3.7 Intermodal transport ......................................... 33 3.7.1 Definition of intermodal transport ......................... 33 3.7.2 Technology used for intermodal transport ................... 34 4. TRANSPORT IN THE STUDY AREA ............................... 36 4.1 General ................................................... 36 4.2 The Provinces of Oulu and Lapland in Finland ..................... 37 4.3 The Provinces of Vasterbotten and Norrbotten in Sweden ............. 38 4.4 The Province of Finnmark in Norway ............................ 39 4.5 The Murmansk Region and the Republic of Karelia in Russia .......... 39 4.6 Crossing Borders ............................................ 41 4.6.1 Freight .............................................. 41 4.6.2 Passenger traffic ...................................... 45 5 . THE POTENTIAL FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS RESTRAINED BY INADEQUATE TRANSPORT FACILITIES ....................... 46 5.1 The potential for economic development in the Arctic Region ......... 46 5.2 The potential for economic development in North-West Russian territories ................................................. 48 5.3 Intermodality .............................................. 49 -3- PE 167.400 Transport in the arctic region 6. PROPOSALS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SURFACE TRANSPORT ................................................... 50 6.1 Overview of development measures ............................. 50 6.2 New projects proposed by different organisations to improve transport communications in the study area ............................... 52 6.2.1 Transport infrastructure projects. which are "in the pipeline" or under construction ................................... 52 6.2.2 Transport infrastructure projects for the future ................ 53 6.3 Recommendations for improving and developing the transport system in the study area ............................................ 56 6.3.1 Recommendations for the EU side of the study area ........... 56 6.3.2 Recommendations for state borders and areas bordering the Arctic Region ...................................... 57 6.4 Intermodality .............................................. 58 7. OPINIONS OF THE INDIGENOUS POPULATIONS .................. 60 . 8 . ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION ................................ 60 8.1 Major problems in the planning process .......................... 61 8.2 Environment impacts ........................................ 62 8.3 Opinions of environmental groups .............................. 64 SOURCES ........................................................... 67 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS OF THE PROJECT MANAGER .................. 68 ANNEX 1 Environmental programmes and conservation lists .................. 69 ANNEX 2 Environmental groups ........................................ 71 -4- PE 167.400 Transport in the arctic region 1. INTRODUCTION When Finland and Sweden joined the European Union, they brought with them geographical and climatic features distinct from that of the other countries of the Union. These different conditions affect the development of transport services and networks. This study is concerned with "the Arctic Region", which consists of the following administrative areas: the provinces of Oulu and Lapland in Finland and the provinces of Norrbotten and Vasterbotten in Sweden. Low population density and a peripheral position to the highly developed centres are characteristics of the Arctic Region. The region is targeted for economic and social cohesion, particularly in terms of a common transport policy and the trans-European networks, in an attempt to integrate these regions into the Union by overcoming the obstacles and barriers isolating them. In addition to the issue of cohesion there are also prospects for economic development through the exploitation of the natural resources, namely the fish and mineral resources of the Barents Sea. This study assesses communications between the Arctic Region and the bordering regions of Norway and Russia, with particular reference to the Finnmark Province, the Republic of Karelia and the Murmansk Province. These regions form the study area to be examined. This study identifies the Community's transport needs in the Arctic Region, paying particular attention to the special geographical and climatic features of the area, and also the opinions of the indigenous community and environmental groups. It will provides information to Members of Parliament and other bodies Concerned with the transport and development needs of the area. It also provides recommendations for the EU on measures which would be likely to improve the transport system in the Arctic Region. The proposal to create a multi-modal corridor, the Barents Euro-Arctic Corridor, is a good example of a means of providing the vast northern area of these countries with an efficient transport system. This route has been promoted by the governments of Finland, Sweden, Russia and Norway. -5- PE 167.400 Transport in the arctic region 2. OVERVIEW OF THE STUDY AREA 2. l Geographical Location In this study, “the Arctic Region” refers to the following administrative areas: the provinces of Oulu and Lapland in Finland and the provinces of Norrbotten and Vasterbotten in Sweden. An assessment has been made of communications between the Arctic Region and the bordering regions of Norway and Russia, with particular reference to Finnmark, the Republic of Karelia and the Murmansk Oblast. The geographical locations of these regions, which form the study area, are given in Figure 1. - Figure 1. -6- PE 167.400 Transport in the arctic region The climate of the area is arctic or sub-arctic and because of the effect of the seas, the winters are moderate, whilst in spring and summer the "siverko", cold arctic air reduces the temperatures. The effect of the Gulf Stream is such that the northern coastal regions have considerably milder weather than the inland areas, where the temperatures may be as low as -45°C. Annual precipitation levels vary considerably, from 200 cm in coastal areas, to 40 cm in inland areas. The average snow cover also varies considerably, from 40-60 cm in tundra and northern taiga areas to 1-1.5 m in sub-arctic forests and 5-10 m in mountain valleys. /l/ The area is mountainous, especially in the north, where the highest mountain, Kebnekaise in Sweden, lies 2117 m above sea level. Most of the area is situated within the boreal zone and has extensive coniferous forests, however, the most northerly areas lie within the oroarctic zone, and have wide tundra areas (timber line). The thermal growing period varies from about 120 to 145 days. Global warming and changes in the ozone layer are expected to cause changes in vegetation in the future. This will effect the arctic area more than most, due to the slow vegetation growth and demanding growing conditions. /l/ The existing environmental conditions vary considerably between west and east. In Sweden, Norway and Finland there has been considerable investment in environmental technology in industry, which has led to reduced pollution levels. Increasing road traffic levels are becoming a cause for concern despite 'lead-free' fuels and "environmentally friendly" cars. The greatest environmental problem in Russia is its industry, which often uses old, outdated, highly polluting technology. Although road traffic levels in Russia are currently low, they are increasing all the time. This may become a serious problem in the future as the cars used tend to be old, made with outdated technology and use environmentally damaging fuels. -7- PE 167.400 Transport in the arctic