Metsä Group announced that the projected logistics solution for its new bioproduct mill in Kemi, Finland, is ready to meet the transportation needs of the manufacturing unit. The solution includes a new logistics road on Sahansaarenkatu leading to the mill site, an electrified private railway to the plant, and the warehouse at the port of Kemi in Ajos.
“The new logistics solution is based on ensuring safety, delivery reliability and quality. Together with our partners, we have built a complete logistics solution to ensure a seamless supply chain from the forest to the mill and from the mill to the customers,” stated Pasi Pulkkinen, Logistics Director of the Kemi bioproduct mill project.
In this regard, two-thirds of the wood from the new mill will be transported by rail, using a new private track. The electric locomotives Vectron can withstand loads of up to 2,500 tons, which means approximately 20% to 25% more wood per train. In total, more than 400 wagons will be used for the railway transportation of Kemi’s bioproduct mill, and the fleet is exclusively dedicated to these transports.
As for truck traffic to the unit, the new Sahansaarenkatu logistics road will be used, with improvements carried out by the city of Kemi. Both the private track and the new logistics road were built in a way that they do not intersect with other traffic, which will significantly enhance the safety of the area.
All exports from the new mill will be concentrated at the Ajos port in Kemi, where Metsä Fiber has built a new 37,000 square meters product warehouse. In the port warehouse, the cellulose bales will be handled by electric forklifts and port cranes. The loading and unloading of the pulp bales onto trucks are done automatically with equipment designed to meet the company’s needs.
At the harbour, the draught has been increased to 12 meters to allow for the use of larger vessels and more efficient sea transport. The draught of the harbour basin is the responsibility of Kemin Santana Oy, while the draught of the seaway is the responsibility of the Finnish Transport Agency.
In response to this, Pulkkinen praised the cooperation with the partners and described it as really smooth. “Efficient logistics is one of the basic prerequisites for the mill’s operation. In the logistics solution, we have demanded efficient and low-emission solutions from our partners. Through good cooperation, we have created a highly functional and safe solution, which we will implement together with our selected partners,” stated the executive.
