sarjaväylä

Sarjaväylä is a freight railway line in western Finland that serves as an important link between the ports of Vaasa and Hanko. The line runs roughly parallel to the main passenger corridor but is isolated from passenger services, allowing for high‑speed and high‑capacity freight movements without interference from passenger schedules. Its construction was completed in the late 1960s and was driven by the need to support growing marine trade on Finland’s west coast and to provide a direct route for industrial cargoes such as timber, paper pulp, and steel.

The route stretches approximately 190 kilometers, running through dense forested regions and occasionally crossing the Gulf of Bothnia. It connects major freight hubs at Seinäjoki and Oulu before heading southwards, where it links to the Hanko port. Some sections are electrified, enabling electric locomotives to haul heavy loads efficiently, while others rely on diesel traction.

In recent years, upgrades have increased its line capacity and speed limits, and the Finnish railway operator has introduced specialized freight trains with modern ballastless construction to improve reliability. Sarjaväylä remains a critical component of Finland’s logistics network, handling a significant proportion of the country’s bulk freight traffic and supporting the export economy by facilitating efficient access to the Atlantic and Baltic Sea markets.