Russian Grip on Finnish Logistics: Sanctioned Interests Still Embedded in Ports and Trucking

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Finland’s logistics sector is facing uncomfortable questions after fresh revelations exposed deep-rooted Russian involvement in both road freight and maritime operations. While Russian-linked trucking firms like PLC Transit Service and Moroz are now under police scrutiny, a major Russian port operator remains firmly embedded in Finland’s critical infrastructure. Despite EU sanctions, Global Ports—part-owned by Rosatom—still operates key container terminals in Helsinki and Kotka.

PLC Transit Service and Moroz are now under police investigation for various infractions, including labour law violations and possible breaches of national security protocols, STT News Agency reported.

The appeal of these companies to Finnish freight forwarders stemmed from their cost-effective services, which undercut local competitors. Major logistics players such as DHL, DB Schenker, and LKW Walter were reported to have utilised these Russian-affiliated carriers. While DHL emphasised its commitment to responsible partnerships, it refrained from commenting on specific subcontractors. As of now, there is no publicly available evidence indicating that the Finnish-based logistics companies PLC Transit Service or Moroz have expanded their operations into other Nordic countries such as Sweden, Norway, or Denmark.

Freja, a Finnish logistics company, acknowledged previous collaborations with PLC Transit and Moroz but ceased these partnerships last year due to mounting concerns over the companies’ Russian ties and the potential compromise of sensitive trade data. Freja’s CEO, Matti Urmas, highlighted the risks associated with entrusting critical logistics operations to entities with opaque affiliations.

Dozens of Other Russian-Linked Companies in Finland

Investigations by YLE Svenska, the Swedish-language department of the Finnish national broadcasting company, found in April 2024 that Global Ports, co-owned by Russia’s Delo Group and the state nuclear corporation Rosatom, operates container terminals in Helsinki’s Vuosaari Harbour and the Port of Kotka. Global Ports holds a 50 percent stake in Multi-Link Terminals Ltd Oy. The remaining 50 percent is owned by France’s CMA Terminals. These terminals are integral to Finland’s maritime logistics, handling substantial volumes of cargo and serving as critical nodes in the country’s supply chain.

Multi-Link Terminals is not the only Russian-owned company operating in Finland. Already in April 2024, Svenska YLE found 40 companies in the transport sector alone that are either owned or controlled by Russian citizens or dual nationals.

According to the Finnish company registry Asiakastieto, 1,165 companies in Finland had Russian citizens as majority owners. A total of 1,525 companies have 20% or more Russian ownership. In some cases, Finnish citizens may be used as figureheads to obscure Russian control.

Expansion and Consolidation of Russian Control

In recent years, Global Ports has consolidated its operations, particularly in response to international sanctions. The Delo Group increased its stake in Global Ports to over 90 percent by acquiring shares from other stakeholders, including APM Terminals, which divested its 30.75 percent minority stake in the company. Sergei Shishkaryov, a Russian businessman and former member of the State Duma, is one of the owners of Delo and is listed on Ukraine’s sanctions list. Also on the sanctions list is the chairman of Multi-Link Terminals, Russian national Albert Likholet.

Global Ports’ has an extensive network of terminals in Russia, including major facilities in St. Petersburg and the Far East. In Estonia, Global Ports previously operated the Vopak E.O.S. terminal, which it sold in 2019.

It completed its redomiciliation from Cyprus to the Russian Federation in early 2024, a move that aligns with Russia’s broader strategy to bring key logistics assets under domestic jurisdiction amid escalating Western sanctions.

Questions About the Effectiveness of Sanctions

The European Union has imposed multiple sanctions packages against Russia, targeting various sectors, including transport and logistics. Despite these measures, entities like Global Ports continue to operate within EU borders, raising questions about the effectiveness of sanctions enforcement and the potential for circumvention through joint ventures and complex ownership structures.

The situation underscores the challenges faced by EU member states in balancing economic interests with national security concerns, particularly when critical infrastructure is involved.

The infiltration of Russian-linked logistics companies into European markets poses significant security concerns. Beyond the immediate risks of sabotage, there’s the potential for sensitive trade data to be accessed or manipulated, compromising national security and economic stability.

In response, European authorities are intensifying oversight of logistics operations, scrutinising partnerships, and enforcing stricter compliance with sanctions. Companies are urged to conduct thorough due diligence when selecting logistics partners, ensuring transparency and adherence to legal and ethical standards. Collaboration between governments, industries, and international partners is essential to fortify defences against such covert operations.

EU Sanctions Targeting the Russian Transport Sector

  • a ban on exports, sales, supply or transfer of all aircraft, aircraft parts and equipment to Russia
  • a ban on third-country carriers conducting domestic flights within Russia
  • a ban on third-country carriers supplying aviation goods to Russian airlines or for domestic flights in Russia
  • a ban on non-scheduled flights if a Russian person decides the origin or destination (regardless of ownership and control over the aircraft)
  • a ban on the provision of all related repair, maintenance or financial services
  • closure of EU airspace to all Russian-owned, registered or controlled aircraft, including private jets of oligarchs
  • restrictions on the export of maritime navigation goods and radio communication technology
  • a full ban of Russian and Belorussian freight road operations working in the EU (certain exceptions will cover essentials, such as agriculture and food products, humanitarian aid as well as energy)
  • a full ban on trucks with Russian trailers and semi-trailers from transporting goods to the EU. This will clamp down on the circumvention of the prohibition for Russian freight road operator to carry goods in the EU
  • a ban on EU companies owned 25% or more by Russian persons transporting goods by road in the EU or becoming EU road transport undertakings
  • an entry ban on Russian-flagged vessels to EU ports (exceptions apply for medical, food, energy and humanitarian purposes)
  • a ban on port access and the provision of services for vessels that aid Russia’s war in Ukraine. This includes vessels that transport military equipment, stolen Ukrainian grain, or LNG components, as well as the vessels of Russia’s dark fleet which transport oil while conducting deceptive shipping products
  • derecognition of the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping at EU level and an entry ban to all ships certified by it, regardless of the flag they are flying
  • prohibition of maritime services by all EU operators to the oil trade between Russia and third countries unless it falls under the oil price cap
  • restricted access to financial services for Russian railways
  • sanctions on several individuals linked to the transport sector – including the Russian Transport Minister
  • prohibition to access EU ports for vessels that engage in ship-to-ship transfers suspected to be in breach of the Russian oil import ban or G7 Coalition price cap
  • prohibition to access EU ports for vessels if a vessel does not notify the competent authority at least 48 hours in advance about a ship-to-ship transfer occurring within the Exclusive Economic Zone of a Member State or within 12 nautical miles from the baseline of that Member State’s coast
  • prohibition to access EU ports for vessels which manipulate or turn off their navigation tracking system when transporting Russian oil subject to the oil import ban or G7 price cap
  • a transaction ban on specific Russian infrastructure, including airports and seaports

Broader Russian Sabotage Activities in Europe

Across Europe, there have been instances of Russian entities attempting to infiltrate or disrupt logistics networks. In Germany, authorities arrested three Ukrainian nationals suspected of plotting parcel bomb attacks on behalf of Russian state actors. These individuals allegedly intended to send explosive-laden parcels from Germany to Ukraine, designed to detonate during transit.

Similarly, in Poland, a series of parcel fires targeting courier companies were identified as test runs for sabotage of cargo flights to the United States. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned of Russia’s plans to sow chaos with attacks on air transport, emphasising the need for heightened vigilance. Hybrid warfare, employed by Russia, is aiming to destabilise European infrastructure and supply chains. The European Union has responded by implementing sanctions, including a full ban on Russian and Belarusian freight road operations within the EU, to mitigate these threats.

  • Parcel Bomb Plots in Germany and Switzerland: Three Ukrainian nationals were arrested for allegedly plotting to send explosive-laden parcels from Germany to Ukraine, under the direction of Russian operatives.
  • Undersea Cable Disruptions: The Estlink 2 power cable between Finland and Estonia suffered an unplanned failure, with Finnish authorities suspecting that a Russian-affiliated vessel intentionally caused the damage by dragging its anchor.
  • Arson Attacks in Lithuania and Poland: Prosecutors in Lithuania linked Russian military intelligence to an arson attack at an Ikea store in Vilnius. Similar incidents occurred in Poland, where fires at shopping centres were attributed to Russian operatives.
  • Cyberattacks and Disinformation Campaigns: Russia has conducted cyberattacks against European countries, including disinformation campaigns and election interference, aiming to destabilise societies and reduce support for Ukraine.
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