Dozens face job losses as Russian fertilizer shipments halt

Dozens of workers in Finland’s port and rail logistics sector may lose their jobs after Russia’s decision to end fertilizer shipments to the country, a union leader has warned.

Russia imposed an eightfold increase on rail import tariffs at the start of the month, effectively halting fertilizer transport to Finland. Mika Kurttila, chair of the Kaakon Satamat branch of the Raideammattilaisten union, told Yle that the full impact on employment will be clear by early August.

Fertilog, which handles fertilizer storage and loading at the ports of Hamina and Kotka, previously estimated to Yle that related work would cease within a fortnight. Kurttila confirmed that operations would last only another two weeks before grinding to a halt.

“There’s no magic trick to replace millions of tons of fertilizer,” Kurttila said. “After layoffs, the outlook won’t improve. I fear mass redundancies.”

North Rail, a subsidiary of Nurminen Logistics, transports the fertilizer by rail, while Fertilog and its subcontractors manage port storage and ship loading. Kurttila, who also represents North Rail employees, said job cuts could affect workers at both the Mussalo port and Vainikkala.

“Easily dozens of people could face unemployment,” he said.

Fertilog earlier estimated that at least 50 jobs, directly or indirectly tied to the shipments, could be lost. Nurminen Logistics declined to comment on potential layoffs, citing a 30-day quiet period ahead of financial reporting.

In 2025, nearly three million tons of fertilizer passed through the Hamina–Kotka port complex.