Lake Saimaa, located in the southeastern Finland, stretches over four different regions and is the largest lake in Finland. At approximately 4,400 square kilometres Lake Saimaa is also the fourth largest natural freshwater lake in Europe. The Saimaa Canal, 43 kilometres in length, connects Lake Saimaa with the Gulf of Finland.

Navigation in the Saimaa area is challenging due to narrow routes in environmentally valuable waterways. However, for effective inland waterway shipping Saimaa Canal area is required to be passed through. Moreover, bioenergy and raw wood transport is likely to increase in Finland, creating significant transport volumes in the future and challenging the existing transport system.

This pilot case aims to demonstrate an ”Intelligent Saimaa” piloting environment by analysing what kind of information a river information system (RIS) must provide in this region to develop an intelligent water transport means. Therefore transport potentials for different transport modes, including vessel transport, will be analysed. Making use of existing knowledge and concentrating on stakeholders’ needs and expectations this pilot will form a RIS pilot solution. Recommendations will also be given to respective administrations to advance future development of RIS applications.

Contact: Sari Kesäniemi, sari.kesaniemi@ladec.fi
Lahti Region Development LADEC Ltd.