Efficient end-to-end solution modernises vehicle ramp at the Port of Helsinki
In autumn 2025, three Volito Industri companies — HydSupply, LSA and FAP Automation — carried out a joint project to modernise and improve the reliability of a vehicle ramp at the Katajanokka terminal in the Port of Helsinki. Thanks to the breadth of Volito Industri's offering, the customer received an end-to-end solution combining hydraulics, electrical work and automation from a single supplier.
The project demonstrates Volito Industri's local strength combined with its broad technical expertise
The Port of Helsinki will be carrying out a major restructuring over the coming years, including making the Skatudden terminal (Katajanokka) the hub for traffic to Sweden. The vehicle ramp in question will become central to handling passenger car traffic to and from the ferries at Skatudden.
"The ramp is used for both cars and trucks, and needs to be height-adjustable depending on the size of the vessel and sea level," says Jussi Klasila, Field Service Manager at HydSupply.
The old system consisted of a hydraulic cylinder and a simpler automation system, but needed to be overhauled — among other things, some leakage had started to occur. The customer therefore requested a modernisation and upgrade to improve reliability and reduce maintenance needs.
The project demonstrates Volito Industri's local strength combined with its broad technical expertise, where modernisation and digitalisation contributed to improved reliability, reduced maintenance needs and better service for the customer.
"From the customer's point of view, the project was carried out entirely according to plan, and the collaboration between all parties worked smoothly. The result is a reliable, modern solution that fully meets the terminal's operational requirements," says Petri Ruuskanen, maintenance specialist at the Port of Helsinki.
The customer can now control the height of the ramp via a panel, and the system has also been equipped with an external connection for remote monitoring and rapid troubleshooting from FAP Automation's facility.
"We have a connection to the customer's system and can carry out maintenance and support them if a fault occurs," says Christer Lindqvist, Sales Manager at FAP Automation. "That means we're able to resolve a range of different issues quickly from our office, without needing to travel out to the site."
HydSupply was responsible for the hydraulic design and assembly at its workshop in Kuopio, LSA manufactured the electrical cabinets, carried out the on-site electrical installation and handled commissioning, and FAP Automation delivered the programming and designed the necessary automation plans, including remote monitoring. The result was a turnkey solution in which hydraulics and electrical systems were integrated with advanced instrumentation and automation systems.
