Of Finland’s total foreign trade 80 percent is delivered by sea – of the exports 90 percent and of the imports 70 percent. The export share of the Finnish GDP is as high as 40 percent.
An eventual strike, among stevedore workers, means a loss of 160 million in export revenues and 120 million in imports revenue per day. The ports have a central position in the logistic-chain. Ship, rail, road and air transport make up the whole transport chain in the entire nation´s economy. The strike would also likely lead to closure of some industries within in one week.
The consequences of a strike can be seen also in store shelves, because 90 percent of the import goods transported via the ports. According to trade association, for instance foreign fresh fruits and vegetables, would run out first.
Stevedore wages are at a relatively high level. With this in mind, and with the current economic situation, the stevedore workers’ demands and threats of a full-scale strike sounds unreasonable.