Arctic Ocean Highway

[1][2] Arctic Ocean Highway and the Liinakhamari port became vital during the World War II in 1940–1941 as the only export route for Finland and Sweden not controlled by Nazi Germany or the Soviet Union.

After the war, Finland ceded the area of the former Petsamo Province to the Soviet Union and thereby lost its connection to the Arctic Ocean.

[2] In 1940–1941, the Arctic Ocean Highway was vital for Finland, and also played an important role for Sweden, as the Baltic Sea was controlled by the Nazis and the Russians.

Every ship leaving the Liinakhamari port was checked by the German and British consuls for possible export of war material.

On 14 June, the Liinakhamari port was blocked by the British Navy, but the Germans managed to transport 40,000 men to Lapland by the Arctic Ocean Highway in order to join the Operation Barbarossa.

Arctic Ocean Highway. Petsamo area on green.
Bus on the Arctic Ocean Highway in 1934
Liinakhamari port in 1940 or 1941 with trucks waiting on a line