Preparation of the development programme in full swing

The City Board’s positive advance position on the Port’s development programme was announced in January 2022. It provides clear prerequisites for port operations and allows the positive economic impact of these operations to be increased.

In late January 2021, Helsinki City Board made a decision-in-principle concerning rearrangements of port operations and principles of land use in harbour areas for South Harbour, Katajanokka Harbour and West Harbour. The Port of Helsinki used the decision-in-principle as a basis for preparing the overall development programme. The Board of Directors of the Port of Helsinki approved the development programme in October 2021 with the City Board’s positive position as a condition.

The City Board’s positive advance position on the development programme was announced in January 2022.

The preparation of the development programme progressed at a good pace, especially in terms of the traffic solution for the West Harbour, the harbour tunnel and the quay and field areas.

The general planning of the harbour tunnel continued throughout 2022.
The West Terminal 1 reference plan was updated for zoning.
Preliminary plans were prepared for the phasing of the quay modifications.
In addition to this, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the construction of the harbour tunnel and the expansion of the West Harbour started in October. The procedure is a way to manage the projects’ detrimental environmental impacts. By assessing impacts at the planning stage, they can be taken into account in future solutions.

The joint preparation of the development programme with the City of Helsinki is in progress, with the aim that the actual construction can start in 2025, after the preparatory work and investment decisions have been made.

Four million euros in EU investment aid

The European Union promotes the efficient transportation of people and goods in Europe. The EU also provides funding for projects focusing on environmental investments and the reduction of emissions. In June 2022, the EU provided TwinPort V funding for the technical plans of the Port of Helsinki development programme. Approximately EUR 4 million of the TwinPort V funding is allocated to the Port of Helsinki, covering 50% of the costs of preparing the planned development programme.

The ports of Helsinki and Tallinn have worked together to develop cargo and passenger transport connections between the ports since 2011. Through joint TWIN-PORT projects, the efficiency and responsibility of the connections between the two cities has been significantly improved.

Major rearrangements in ports

The Port’s development programme features port operation rearrangements concerning different harbours, and its implementation will take almost a decade.

Passenger ship traffic to Tallinn will be centralised to West Harbour.
Stockholm traffic will be centralised to Katajanokka.
Changes to the areas and terminals will be made at West Harbour and Katajanokka Harbour.
A harbour tunnel will be built for vehicle traffic from West Harbour to Länsiväylä.