Nordicum - Real Estate Annual Finland 2011 | Page 66

Up with the Hub
Photos: LogiCity

Transport industry seeks boost from
next generation logistics centres

In the aftermath of the global economic crisis, many industries need to reinvent themselves in order to survive. Logistics is
one sector which was already under considerable pressure even before the recession (due to Climate Change), but now the
situation is even more challenging. There are several issues which are shaping the face of logistics as we know it: a new kind
of social responsibility and ecological awareness is rising as globalisation keeps intensifying its pace and scope.

A

t the same time, the customer demands highlight convenience and simplicity and the
digital revolution advances into new areas. How will logistics cope in a world that is more
complex, more dynamic, and
more competitive? - Some answers may be found in the way
logistics centres are designed today; to serve as multimodal hubs
with emphasis on flexibility.
Looking at the logistics
scene in Finland, it is clear to
see that the construction of the
new harbour in Vuosaari, slightly east of downtown Helsinki,
has impacted the big picture.
Most new logistics centres are
raised within a “striking distance” from Vuosaari which is
perhaps the most modern cargo
port in all of Europe.

Kujala Kick-Off
One of the areas eager to get
a piece of the pie is Lahti Re64 Nordicum

gion which has a strong reputation as a logistics expert. The
region possesses a brand new
significant hub which combines
great connections with fresh logistics ideology: Kujala Logistics Centre.
Featuring integrated facilities and services for operators, the Kujala Centre is located about three kilometres east of
the Lahti city centre at the junction of the E75 motorway, class
I main road 12, and the eastbound rail service. The total area covers about 50 hectares of
land, with 35 pre-constructed.
There is a provision for
an industrial track to serve the
companies in the area, as well
as a provision to expand into
surrounding city-owned land
(about 100 hectares). The size
of plots can be customised according to customer needs.
Success factors of Kujala Logistics Centre include excellent connections via road and

rail, ample supporting services,
advantages of synergy through
unified area structure and availability of land area and real estate as well as human resources.
In addition, Kujala Logistics Centre has a green edge,
which is demonstrated by energy
efficient solutions and environmentally friendly innovations.
The construction of the first
phase started in autumn 2009 and
was completed in August 2010.
Altogether 14,000 m² of terminal, storage and office space was
constructed for Transpoint Oy.

Kouvola Looks East
Another inland logistics powerhouse can be found about 60 kilometres to the east from Lahti.
Kouvola, located in Southeast
Finland, is the biggest railway
hub in the land and also a leading ‘dry harbour’ in the country.
There is already 200,000 square
metres of terminal space in Kou-

vola, with the possibility to add
another 200,000.
Kouvola relies on diversity: customs functions, special
warehouses and various added
value services can all be found
in the area. The logistics companies in the region want to serve
as strategic partners to their customers, finding new ways to improve productivity.
The region is focusing on
the Russian transport business
with full intention on developing the Trans-Siberian Rail operations – and looking even further down the tracks, all the way
to China.

Kerca Gets Going
In addition to Lahti and Kouvola, a third significant inland
logistics player is Kerava. The
City’s claim to logistics fame is
Kerca (Kerava Cargo Center),
a new logistics center that efficiently combines road, rail, sea