Response to interpellations 2024/25:459, 464 and 482 on the Swedish Maritime Administration
Translated from Swedish by AI; the translation may contain errors. The Swedish text is the original.
Summary AI, written in advance
KD argues that the Swedish Maritime Administration is in a concerning financial position due to reduced traffic and high fixed costs 1 2. KD emphasizes that society-critical activities such as sea rescue and icebreaking must be maintained and that the government will return in upcoming budget processes. KD explains that the previous national plan was underfunded and that they are working with Finland to strengthen icebreaking capacity 2. S argues that the government is responsible for cost increases that risk being placed on the industry through increased fairway fees 3. S believes that the government has a responsibility to address insufficient funding to avoid increased fairway fees and closed helicopter bases. S emphasizes that sea rescue must function along the entire coast 3. S argues that cuts have serious consequences for growth, welfare, and preparedness 4 5. C argues that the government must take responsibility for growth and safety by ensuring permanent and stable funding for the Swedish Maritime Administration 6. C emphasizes the importance of promptness and clear messages to secure the business sector and safety 7.
Written by AI in advance and may contain errors. The numbers lead to the speech a statement builds on; check against the text below.
Speakers (13)
Statsrådet Andreas Carlson (KD)
Madam Speaker! Isak From has asked me what I and the government intend to do to ensure necessary icebreaking for industry and to ensure that the Swedish Maritime Administration's flight rescue is developed, not phased out. Ulrika Heie has asked me how I intend to ensure that the Swedish Maritime Administration will be able to continue its important operations for Sweden's transport infrastructure, total defense, and business when such large cuts are forced and how I and the government intend to ensure the Swedish Maritime Administration's long-term funding. Fredrik Lundh Sammeli has asked me how I will ensure that no Swedish ports are forced to remain closed during certain periods due to the Swedish Maritime Administration's cuts.
I choose to answer the three interpellations in one context.
The Swedish Maritime Administration is in a concerning economic position. But despite that, it is extremely important that the society-critical activities within the agency can be maintained, not least with regard to the geopolitical situation in which Sweden finds itself. This applies to both icebreaking and sea and air rescue, but also, for example, pilotage. This is something that the Swedish Maritime Administration must take into account when savings measures are now being planned.
The Swedish Maritime Administration has, in its three-year plan, reported to the government what the agency considers necessary to rectify its financial position. This basis will now be analyzed within the Government Offices. It is important that the agency can provide services for a functioning maritime transport and a functioning aviation, both civil and military.
When Ulrika Heie (C), who submitted interpellation 2024/25:464, and Fredrik Lundh Sammeli (S), who submitted interpellation 2024/25:482, reported that they were prevented from attending the meeting, the third deputy speaker granted that Ulrika Liljeberg (C) and Zara Leghissa (S) were instead permitted to participate in the interpellation debate.
Isak From (S)
Thank you to the Minister and to my fellow debaters on an incredibly important issue!
When I submitted the interpellation, it was against the background that this has been an issue for a number of years. It was the case that in 2023 and 2024, the main line to Kalix was closed. That was the starting point: for four weeks, everything stood still. That meant that the industry in Kalix and other industry at the top of the Bothnian Bay had to either pause or use other means of transport, and we know that the railway is overbooked.
Against this background, I have both written motions and submitted a written question to Andreas Carlson, and he says that these are extremely important issues.
In his response, Andreas Carlson now says that the Swedish Maritime Administration shall ensure that no Swedish ports are forced to remain closed. A year ago, the Swedish Maritime Administration reported to Andreas Carlson what it believes is required, and that also concerns increased fairway fees. This ultimately means more expensive goods, and it is not the foreign transport companies that will be affected by these increased costs, but the Swedish industry.
My question to Andreas Carlson is therefore: What is the government's priority? Is the priority that the industry should bear this cost, or do the government and society have a responsibility to ensure that the icebreaking functions?
It is clear that the industry is somewhat surprised. Instead of two new icebreakers, there was one new icebreaker, which now became one icebreaker fewer. That is quite a big difference. To make matters worse, the Maritime Administration's sea rescue is also being included in this savings carousel, and that has effects on so many others. Even here, it is quite unclear; I have nowhere seen the government state what they want with the operation. There could be several ways to go. There is, for example, an investigation from as far back as 2012 that suggests that the sea rescue operation should fall under the Coast Guard.
It would be quite interesting for the Swedish Maritime Administration and those concerned to know what the government wants regarding the Swedish Maritime Administration's activities, because it is clear that the industry both wants access to its export market and wants that necessary goods can be transported to the Norrland ports. One needs to be able to transport lime and input materials up to Luleå but also to the Finnish side, one needs to be able to transport fuel to the heating plants and so on.
The government must surely have an idea of what it wants and not place measures and the entire responsibility for savings on Sjöfartsverket. In that case, it will result in, as Sjöfartsverket wants, increased fairway fees and cuts to the sea rescue.
Ulrika Liljeberg (C)
Madam Speaker! Thank you, Minister, for the answer!
There are many important aspects for society in this issue. The Centre Party particularly wants to highlight business and defense and security policy aspects.
One thing that the business community does not like is uncertainty, risks, and missing decisions. The business community wants clarity, long-term perspective, and stability, especially in a time of geopolitical unrest and when we have a trade war and threatened free trade in the world. In Sweden, we have low growth, high unemployment, and a somewhat uncertain inflation situation. We have energy decisions that are delayed, and we have bankruptcies in the near term. Then we do not even need this problem with Sjöfartsverket. Sweden needs clarity and stability.
In the same way, it is with the security situation, with the war in Ukraine and the tense global situation, where the Baltic Sea is central. There, it is about, among other things, shadow fleets. Given that 90 percent of all freight to and from Sweden occurs via boat, we need to build both the civil and the military defense strongly. We need to have robustness even in this infrastructure – and then we do not need this.
New times require decisiveness and accountability. The Swedish Maritime Administration needs both secured funding in the short term and a different funding model in the long term.
My continued question to the Minister concerns the government's risk assessment based on both the situation in the business sector and the security policy situation. What is the government's risk assessment of a delayed decision when every week is important for both the business sector and our defense capability?
Zara Leghissa (S)
Madam Speaker! I would like to thank the Minister for the answer.
A well-functioning shipping industry is important for trade and business and for realizing those parts of the transport policy and climate policy that concern the shift of freight to shipping. Approximately 90 percent of all goods imports and exports are transported by water for part of the distance. Shipping is crucial for Sweden's trade with the rest of the world and thus ultimately for Sweden's prosperity. A strengthened Swedish shipping industry is an important tool for moving more and more freight transports from trucks to trains and shipping. This contributes to reduced climate impact from the transport sector. In addition, shipping is completely crucial for our security of supply as well as preparedness and security.
Recently, the Swedish Maritime Administration announced that it is forced to implement an extensive savings program. The agency presented a saving of 200 million kronor per year over a three-year period. In addition to impaired icebreaking and reduced maintenance of shipping lanes, hydrographic surveys will also be reduced, and helicopter bases will be closed. This will result in longer waiting times for icebreakers and a risk that certain shipping lanes and ports cannot be kept open. Ultimately, jobs and socially important services are at risk, not least in northern Sweden where industry is dependent on reliable sea transport year-round to keep its production running.
Just as Isak From mentioned earlier in the debate, the shipping lane to Kalix was forced to be closed for a full four weeks because Sjöfartsverket's icebreaker fleet, for a number of different reasons, did not have the possibility to keep the shipping lane open. That incident clearly showed the vulnerability of the business sector. The consequences of taking icebreakers out of operation are truly serious. The Minister responds that it is important that the authority can provide services for a functioning shipping and a functioning aviation, both civil and military, and that the basis will now be analyzed within the Government Offices.
Madam Speaker! I want to ask if the Minister will work to ensure that Swedish ports are not closed due to the Swedish Maritime Administration's cuts.
Statsrådet Andreas Carlson (KD)
Madam Speaker! I want to begin by commenting on Isak From's somewhat sweeping description of the announcement that one icebreaker is being procured instead of two. That is because the previous national plan, which is currently in effect and for which the previous government is responsible, was underfunded in connection with the cost increases. It is therefore a bit unfair to blame the current government for that. We are, of course, trying to handle this in the best possible way.
The Swedish Maritime Administration has succeeded in acquiring a smaller icebreaker on the open market that can reinforce the icebreaking operations. The Government has also entered into an intensified cooperation with Finland regarding icebreaking operations. It has been announced. It concerns both the operational icebreaking capacity and the future fleet. We have a somewhat similar situation with an aging icebreaker fleet. It is very important to work closely with Finland in that regard.
When it comes to the 2012 investigation regarding helicopter rescue, it is a relevant question. Isak From had the opportunity to ask that question to the previous government – not for one year, but for all the years that his own party was responsible for it. We will, of course, look at various proposals and other measures that may be relevant when it comes to the long-term financing of Sjöfartsverket.
The situation here and now has not arisen by chance. It is an economic situation that is very concerning and troublesome, which is due to a number of interacting factors. Shipping traffic has been down for a long time, which has affected Sjöfartsverkets ability to collect fees. It is a commercial enterprise, which means that the operations are primarily financed by fees and commercial income.
The total cargo volumes are relatively constant, but the number of arrivals by larger vessels is decreasing, which negatively affects the fee revenues. In addition, large parts of the cruise traffic in the Baltic Sea have disappeared in the wake of the war in Ukraine, which has contributed to reduced revenues for the Swedish Maritime Administration. At the same time, the costs for the Swedish Maritime Administration are largely fixed. The costs for maintaining the infrastructure and the readiness to provide pilotage, icebreaking, and sea and air rescue are the same regardless of how many ships arrive at Swedish ports. This means that reduced revenues immediately have a major negative impact on the result. Furthermore, last winter was very difficult and led to high costs.
It is simultaneously a fact that the appropriations that the Swedish Maritime Administration has to finance certain activities which should not be paid for by merchant shipping, without any exception, have not been recalculated for approximately 20 years. It is therefore an important issue, which several are touching upon, not least when it comes to the long-term financing. We will return to that in upcoming budget processes.
The situation here and now is very concerning. It is important that critical societal activities, for example sea and air rescue, can be maintained so as not to ultimately risk people's lives and health. This also applies to the icebreaking operations. Traffic to the ports in northern Sweden must function during the winter.
We have just received the Swedish Maritime Administration's three-year plan and appropriation request, where they describe which measures they plan to take to lower costs. I will have to return to this in upcoming budget processes, but I agree that the situation is troublesome and urgent.
Isak From (S)
Madam Speaker! We are, of course, aware that there have been cost increases from the previous national plan, as the cost of acquiring two new icebreakers was calculated. But Andreas Carlson has actually been Minister for Infrastructure since October 18, 2022. The Social Democrats submitted their last major budget in September 2021.
The government and Andreas Carlson are responsible for the cost increases occurring now, which risk being passed on to the industry. If they are to be recovered via transit fees, they will be placed on the Swedish industry. In that case, it is not possible to refer to foreign companies. It will be transports to the Swedish industry that will be funding this.
It is clear that the major changes we have to deal with, regardless of whether we sit in government or in opposition, are due to the fact that large parts of the Swedish defense were decommissioned. That meant that instead of renting helicopters from the Armed Forces, private companies had to be brought in. That was the basis for the alliance government appointing the inquiry into, among other things, the sea rescue.
It ended with the conclusion that such socially important activities cannot be handled in private companies, which meant that society – the government and the Swedish Maritime Administration – purchased the company. Since then, this has been managed based on those conditions.
Now we have a different and even more serious geopolitical situation when we are to build up the Armed Forces. At the same time, quite a few rely on the important sea rescue and that there is something nearby if they should end up in distress at sea with their sailboat, or whatever it may be. It is quite far between, for example, Luleå and Gävle or Gothenburg and Skåne. One already has long distances to manage today, and then the sea rescue that exists must function along the entire Swedish coast. Here and now, this is the current government's responsibility.
Ulrika Liljeberg (C)
Madam Speaker! It is positive that the Minister recognizes the importance of this activity. In a time of geopolitical unrest, the Swedish Maritime Administration is therefore announcing cuts. The Swedish Maritime Administration are those who are responsible for ensuring that the sea routes are navigable, accessible, and safe. Of all freight to and from Sweden, 90 percent goes by sea. The Swedish Maritime Administration announces that there will be sharp consequences of the cuts.
This is happening at a time when Swedish growth, trade conditions, competitiveness, exports, imports, and preparedness should be particularly high on the agenda. It is almost unthinkable that one allows the basic conditions for this to deteriorate.
These words come from important Swedish base industries. The forest industries, the transport companies, the business community's Transport Council, Jernkontoret, Swemin, and the Association of Swedish Shipping urge the government to take prompt measures to ensure permanent and stable funding for the Swedish Maritime Administration's activities, and we write this from the Center Party on behalf of them. The government needs to take responsibility for growth and security.
From this rostrum, it is often spoken about what should have been done earlier. It is backward, forward, and talk of coming governments. I choose to focus on here and now. With power comes the responsibility to act. This is admittedly a business enterprise, but these are new times now. There is already a state responsibility, and it needs to become clearer.
I am still requesting a risk assessment from the government. How long will that analysis, which the government says it will conduct on the issue, take? What impact on the business sector and the security of the country is assessed to result from the delay in the decision?
Zara Leghissa (S)
Madam Speaker! It is important that the Minister and the Government see the seriousness of this. The green industrial transition and the investments and industrial establishments taking place in Norrbotten now have the potential to become an engine for all of Sweden. By 2030, the industrial initiatives can contribute between 80 and 160 billion kronor to Sweden's gross national product. This corresponds to 2–3 percent of today's gross national product. In the longer term, it could be even more.
The planned industries could increase Sweden's exports by 100 billion kronor by 2030, which corresponds to a doubling of current exports. It would generate new tax revenues of approximately 30 billion kronor annually. These are funds that can strengthen our common good: healthcare, school, care, infrastructure, and so on. The new industrialization could also generate 20,000 new jobs. This industrialization is happening here and now, and it contributes to a better climate, better growth, and a better welfare, something that Sweden needs today.
Madam Speaker! This, however, risks coming to a standstill if shipping does not function. How will the goods be transported? It will require a fairly substantial transition of road and rail – as well as for the transport industry, which will have to make use of the substandard infrastructure that we have today.
If the business sector does not function, there will be further bankruptcies and layoffs. But, Madam Speaker, are the bankruptcies not numerous enough? Is an unemployment rate of 10 percent too low for this government? Is it the government's intention to reduce Sweden's competitiveness?
The Committee on Transport held an open meeting on March 13 regarding civil defense and transport, and authorities and representatives from the industry were invited there to speak about the current situation and challenges. My colleague in the Committee on Transport, Mattias Ottosson, then asked how the authorities viewed the reductions in icebreaking and rescue helicopters. The answer was that it has enormous consequences, both civil and military. Even the northern part of Sweden must be guaranteed rescue, protection, life essentials, and medicine in both peace and war.
What then is the message of the Council of State and the Government regarding Sweden's growth, climate, preparedness, security and welfare? Shall all of Sweden live?
Statsrådet Andreas Carlson (KD)
Madam Speaker! I have been very clear in the debate that society-critical activities, such as sea and air rescue, must be able to be maintained so as not to ultimately risk people's lives and health. This also applies to the icebreaking activity. Traffic to the ports in northern Sweden must function during the winter.
I have also on several occasions in the debate pointed out that we have just received the grant application in which Sjöfartsverket describes which measures it plans to take. None of these measures have, however, been taken yet.
It is of course important to see that the situation that the Swedish Maritime Administration is currently in is very concerning and that it is something that has built up over a long period. I have also pointed out in the debate that the government will return to this. This is something that will be the subject of attention in upcoming budget processes regarding both the short-term perspective and the situations concerning the helicopter bases and the icebreaker that, according to the action planning, is to be decommissioned. It is of course important to ensure that these critical functions are not taken out of use. I intend to return to this.
It is important to see how we can obtain better funding, which is more long-term, persistent and sustainable, for the Swedish Maritime Administration's important functions and services so that they can maintain a full standard. In light of the security policy situation that Sweden finds itself in, it is also a matter of utmost importance that the core of the Swedish Maritime Administration's important activities is maintained. It is important for the needs of the business sector. It is important from a preparedness point of view. It is also important for people's lives and health.
The Swedish Maritime Administration is a so-called rescue service authority in that it provides sea and air rescue services in Sweden. We are all probably proud of the sea rescue in Sweden. There is a great commitment in the Swedish Sea Rescue Society with voluntary forces that assist and which account for much of the sea rescue. They are, of course, dependent on other actors with sea-going and flying units that assist them.
The Swedish Maritime Administration also assists other rescue services. For example, the Swedish Maritime Administration assists the police with mountain rescue and searches for missing persons. It assists the Coast Guard with environmental rescue, and it assists local rescue services in drowning incidents on lakes during both summer and winter. It is often about saving lives, and it is of the utmost importance that this activity functions. I cannot be clear enough in this debate, Madam Speaker, that this is the government's intention in the continued work now that we have received a motion from the Swedish Maritime Administration. It has just landed on the government's table, and I look forward to returning with how these important functions can be ensured.
The answer to Ulrika Liljeberg's question regarding which risks we see is that it concerns life and health, preparedness and the needs of industry, but it is also important to establish that this is a submission where measures are described and that none of these measures have been taken. I look forward to returning to the question in upcoming budget processes, both in the short and long term. I hope there is a consensus regarding achieving better long-term perspective in the financing and organization of the Swedish Maritime Administration so that we, as someone pointed out, do not point in different directions but take responsibility in a difficult time for Sweden.
Isak From (S)
Madam Speaker! Now the Minister was a bit clearer than in his interpellation answer, and I believe many appreciate that. In the short term, the government already has clear opportunities in the spring budget revision to address the question of what is intended to be done. Already a year ago, Andreas Carlson received clear information about the Maritime Administration's deficient funding, and now he has received a proposal for a three-year period on what happens if nothing is done. It will result in increased fairway fees and closed helicopter bases, and it is something we probably agree that none of us want to see.
In the long term, one can indicate in the autumn budget how one believes this activity should be organized and financed. If there are fundamental errors in relation to societal development and the current state of concern, it is still the government that has the responsibility to address the issue, and quite a few are wondering what the government intends to do. It is now that one orders transport for what is to happen next winter. Every winter is not like last year's or the winter before that. Due to climate change, we also have more drift ice and so on, which does not only affect the large ships but perhaps especially the smaller ones. This makes the need for helicopter rescue even greater. And just as Andreas Carlson says, the sea rescue, especially in northern Sweden, is also assisted by mountain aviation, which is also important.
Ulrika Liljeberg (C)
Madam Speaker! I thank the Minister for the debate and the dialogue, as it is of great importance to raise these infrastructure issues. I also appreciate the investments being made generally, for example, on neglected maintenance within important infrastructure.
We have today discussed the sea routes, which perhaps do not always get their rightful place in the debate on infrastructure. We have railways that are to transport both goods and people, we have private, municipal and state roads and we have air traffic. It is extremely important for Sweden as a country that all of these are robust.
It is positive that the Minister mentions that much of what we have said constitutes the core of the Swedish Maritime Administration's activities. That is also why the agency is state-funded through appropriations. But we know that the world is changing and thus both threats and needs are changing, and in that case, the government must take responsibility by virtue of its power.
I thank you for the positive news but want to remind again of the promptness that the business community demands. We all want long-term perspective and stability, but we are currently living in a world of rapid announcements and decisions from, among others, world leaders. This means that Sweden's government needs to act promptly with clear announcements that secure both Sweden's business community and Sweden's security.
Zara Leghissa (S)
Madam Speaker! I thank the Minister for the debate, and I hope that the Minister and the Government are attentive and truly understand what consequences these cuts to the Swedish Maritime Administration can actually have.
Much wise has been said in the debate, and I am positive about the Minister's announcement. I still want to emphasize the importance of making decisions quickly on the issue. The cuts may seem small to people who lack knowledge or insight or who have a direct unwillingness to create growth, better welfare, security, and preparedness. But if the cuts become a reality, it will have serious consequences for a long time to come.
Statsrådet Andreas Carlson (KD)
Madam Speaker! I thank you for the debate and the commitment and can state that there is a consensus.
Ulrika Liljeberg sinned on the deferred maintenance, and here we need to catch up in all types of traffic. The icebreakers we have in Sweden and that are years old are very well maintained, and that is because some spare parts perhaps cannot even be obtained. It is therefore very important to maintain this capacity.
We have spoken about the short-term need here and now and the long-term funding of the Swedish Maritime Administration, which I intend to return to. But let me again highlight the letter of intent that has been made with Finland regarding precisely the updating of the icebreaker fleet and icebreaking capacity.
I would like to reiterate the importance of us, in the security policy situation we find ourselves in and with the strategic position the Gulf of Bothnia and the Baltic Sea have, strengthening the cooperation with Finland. Both countries are now working closely on this, and it was one of the outcomes of the joint government meeting Sweden and Finland held a few months ago. A few weeks ago, I was able to announce the decision on this deepened cooperation, which takes place at a technical level. Experts on both the Swedish and Finnish sides of the Gulf are now working to take this further.
Madam Speaker! As has been said, it is of the utmost importance that the core of the very important societal functions that Sjöfartsverket has also in the future shall be able to be utilized regarding sea rescue, helicopter bases and icebreakers, and we intend to return to this in future budget processes.
Source: The Swedish Parliament. The speeches come from the open data of the Riksdag, translated into English by AI, which may contain errors.