The Port of Helsinki is the main port for foreign trade and passenger traffic services in Finland and serves as a gateway for both cargo flows and passengers to Central Europe and the world.
The Port of Helsinki Ltd creates a seamless framework for both sea travel and cargo traffic and develops port operations and supporting services in cooperation with its interest groups.
The COVID-19 pandemic showed signs of subsiding, and the internal border control on traffic between Finland and all Schengen countries ended in January. At Helsinki’s passenger terminals, it meant smoother and faster access for arriving passengers.
Helsinki City Board approved the Port of Helsinki Ltd development programme. The goal was to secure the Port’s operating conditions and to develop the Port as an even more functional entity.
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The Russian invasion of Ukraine abruptly changed the operating environment in the Baltic Sea. Shipping companies were forced to reschedule their departures and move their fleets away from St Petersburg.
The electrification of the Port’s vehicle fleet and the building of charging infrastructure proceeded rapidly. The Port built slow and semi-fast charging stations in South Harbour and Vuosaari Harbour. The Port also built electric vehicle charging stations for ship passengers at Helsinki’s ship terminals.
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Kaj Takolander was appointed as the VP of passenger services and member of the Board of the Port of Helsinki Ltd. Takolander joined the Port from his position as sales director at Viking Line.
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The Port of Helsinki introduced a new emission calculator for infrastructure projects. The tool is a step towards climate-wiser selections, as it helps operators in the planning stage understand the emissions generated in a project throughout its lifecycle.
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The international cruise season for the summer started in Helsinki on Maundy Thursday, 14 April. The season was expected to be busy, but as the season progressed, some of the calls were cancelled when cruises to St Petersburg were called off.
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The Port of Helsinki was awarded the PERS certificate for environmental management. This sets clear environmental objectives for ports based on the principle of continuous development.
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The implementation of the occupational well-being development plan progressed rapidly. This included an outdoor games day for all staff, emphasising the sense of community and fair play.
Olympia Terminal celebrated its 70th anniversary. The lounge of the terminal got a well-earned facelift in the spring, paying homage to the atmosphere of the original passenger pavilion. In addition to its appearance and comfortable nature, the renewal also improved the practicality, energy efficiency and passenger safety of the terminal.
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The TWIN-PORT V project of the ports of Helsinki and Tallinn received a total of EUR 6.8 million in EU funding. The EU provided funding for the technical plans of the Port of Helsinki development programme. Approximately EUR 4 million of the total amount of the funding is allocated to the Port of Helsinki, covering 50% of the costs of preparing the planned development programme.
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The restrictions on entry at Finland’s external borders following the COVID-19 pandemic ended on 1 July. Vaccination or COVID-19 test certificates were no longer required for third-country travellers arriving in Finland, and testing for COVID-19 at border crossings was stopped.
The Port of Helsinki and Tapio Lehtinen Sailing Oy signed a cooperation agreement concerning Tapio Lehtinen’s circumnavigations of the globe in 2022–2024. Both parties share a commitment to resolving the climate crisis and to environmental work for the benefit of the seas.
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Renovations in Olympiaparkki car park started in July. The renovations improved the energy efficiency of the terminal, as well as the pleasantness and signage of the parking facilities.
The Port took part in supporting several public events in its neighbouring areas. The Port provided information on its operations at events such as Baltic Sea Day, Vuosaari Harbour Day and Hyvän tuulen fest in Jätkäsaari.
The visit of the USS Kearsarge, a massive US amphibious assault ship, attracted the attention of the city residents. Moored in Hernesaari Harbour, the 257-metre warship could be seen from afar.
The Board of Directors of the Port of Helsinki approved an even tighter schedule for the carbon neutrality programme when updating the Port’s strategy. The Port will pursue carbon neutrality in its own operations at a faster pace than before, as early as 2025, as part of the new strategy.
The operations of Olympiaparkki car park in the Olympia Terminal changed. From now on, parking spaces in the car park can only be booked online in advance, offering ship passengers convenience and peace of mind.
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The Association of Project Professionals Finland (PRY) awarded the title ‘Project of the Year 2022’ to the project of deepening the Vuosaari fairway and its sustainable development and biodiversity objectives, which also have a socially significant impact.
The Environmental Impact Assessment for the expansion of the West Harbour started. The first public event on the assessment was held in West Harbour on 2 November.
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The Port continued to use its pricing policy to balance the way truck traffic is distributed between the different parts of the port. In its 2023 price list, the Port raised the maximum amounts of its environmental discounts again.
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The installation of onshore power distribution equipment for vessels was completed in the West Harbour. Since then, Helsinki has been providing onshore power at its city centre harbours to all liner traffic vessels that visit Helsinki on a regular basis and stay moored for extended periods of time. This means significant local emission reductions and progress in the Port’s carbon neutrality programme.
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The energy efficiency renovation of the passenger terminals, which was started the previous year, was completed. The project to improve energy efficiency was one of the most important projects the Port could implement to pursue carbon neutrality.
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Tallink’s MS MyStar started operations at Helsinki Tallinn route.
