Hailuoto ferries remain stranded due to protected swift nests

The removal of Hailuoto’s decommissioned ferries to Turku remains blocked, now by the protected nests of endangered swifts, Yle reports.

Finferries halted operations on the Oulu–Hailuoto route on 29 June after Finland’s longest causeway opened. The company initially delayed moving the vessels due to active nesting by swifts, but now discovers even empty nests are protected under Finnish law.

“We cannot relocate or destroy the nests,” said Finferries traffic chief Jussi Mäkitalo. The company has applied to the Finnish Licensing and Supervision Authority (LVV) for an exemption to clear the nests, as the ferries’ removal would render them unusable for next year’s breeding season. Swifts typically return to the same nests annually.

A local ornithologist will inspect the nests in the coming days to confirm whether fledglings still use them for roosting. Mäkitalo expects a decision from LVV either this week or next.

The delay has also stalled dismantling of the ferry dock and port structures in Hailuoto.