The reports of the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom provide a broad overview of both the transportation of dangerous goods and incidents related to such transport.
Transports of dangerous goods in 2017
Around 60 million tonnes of dangerous goods were transported via different means of transport in 2017. This total has risen by around 7% since 2012. Of these transports, around 70% were by ship and just over a fifth were by road.
The investigation was carried out using both an online survey aimed at companies as well as public data resources.
Road transport accidents involving dangerous goods in Finland between 2013 and 2018
Between 2013 and 2018, there were a total of 152 accidents that fulfil the reporting criteria, with the annual quantity ranging between 19 and 30. The most common accidents involved the skidding and overturning of road tanker trucks and tank trailers.
The report made use of the rescue services’ PRONTO accident database.
Ship transport accidents and incidents involving dangerous goods
According to the report, accidents involving dangerous goods rarely take place at sea, and the accidents that have occurred have not been serious in nature. Typically, they have not caused leaks or environmental damage, but instead the damage has been primarily caused to the transport vessel itself rather than to its cargo.
The report examined the accident and incident reports that have been received by the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom.
Rail transport accidents and incidents involving dangerous goods
In recent years, around 15 accidents or incidents have been reported per year for dangerous goods being transported by rail. In general, these abnormal situations for rail transports of dangerous goods involve derailings and leaks which are generally limited in impact. Nevertheless, there are every year individual cases of very serious situations.
Trafi’s report was published last December, before the merging with the Finish Transport and Communications Agency. Link to publication (External link).
In March, a report will be published on air transport accidents and incidents involving dangerous goods.
Further information:
Traficom publications (External link)
Hanna Strömmer, Special Adviser, tel. +358 (0)29 534 7053, hanna.strommer (at) traficom.fi (Transports of dangerous goods in 2017)
Riikka Rajamäki, Special Adviser, tel. +358 (0)29 534 6172, riikka.rajamaki (at) traficom.fi (Road transport accidents involving dangerous goods)
Esa Pasanen, Special Adviser, tel. +358 (0)29 534 7061, esa.pasanen (at) traficom.fi (Ship transport accidents involving dangerous goods)
Ville Vainiomäki, Special Adviser, tel. +358 (0)29 534 6891. ville.vainiomaki (at) traficom.fi (Rail transport accidents involving dangerous goods)