Sea travel remained busy
In 2018, a total of 12.1 million passengers passed through the Port of Helsinki. That is 1% less compared to the previous, record-breaking year. Helsinki retained its status as the busiest international passenger port in Europe.
The number of passengers in regular liner traffic was 11.6 million. The number decreased from the previous, record-breaking year by 1.8%. This is explained in part by the lack of high-speed vessel traffic between Helsinki and Tallinn as well as a decrease in Finnish people’s enthusiasm for sea travel as a result of the increased price level in Estonia.
A total of almost 520,000 passengers arrived in Helsinki on international cruise vessels (+8.5%).
The Port of Helsinki’s market share of the passenger liner traffic in mainland Finland’s sea ports is 79,5%.
Passenger traffic
| Liner traffic | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | Change-% 18/17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stockholm | 2 340 000 | 2 335 000 | 2 286 000 | -2.1 % |
| Tallinn | 8 735 000 | 9 012 000 | 8 846 000 | -1.8 % |
| St. Petersburg | 288 000 | 210 000 | 209 000 | -0.5 % |
| Travemünde | 142 000 | 148 000 | 151 000 | 1.7 % |
| Mariehamn | 40 000 | 43 000 | 44 000 | 3.4 % |
| Others | 20 000 | 28 000 | 22 000 | -19.9 % |
| TOTAL | 11 565 000 | 11 776 000 | 11 558 000 | -1.8 % |
Helsinki–Tallinn route the most popular
Almost 77% of all passengers using the Port of Helsinki travelled between Helsinki and Tallinn. A total of 8.8 million passengers travelled along this route, which is 1.8% less than the previous year.
The route is estimated to remain popular in the future, as well, as the joint economic area of the capitals of Finland and Estonia develops. The cities of Helsinki and Tallinn signed a cooperation agreement in May 2018, with the purpose of making the twin city development even closer. Helsinki’s West Harbour, the Port of Tallinn and the busy RoPax traffic between them form a traffic connection over the Gulf of Finland that is vital to both people and international trade. For example, the facilitation of working, visiting and studying between the cities supports the economic development of the areas. (Source: Publication of Helsingin Tietokeskus: Helsinki–Tallinna. Kaksoiskaupunkikehityksen tarkastelua tilastotietojen valossa, in Finnish.)
Popularity of other travel routes remains stable
A total of 2.3 million passengers travelled between Stockholm and Helsinki, which is 2.1% less than the previous year. The route’s popularity has been relatively stable for many years.
A total of 210,000 passengers travelled between Helsinki and Saint Petersburg, which is on level with the previous year (-0.5%).
The Helsinki–Travemünde route was travelled by 151,000 passengers, which is 1.7% more than the previous year.
City centre’s passenger harbours
| 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passengers of liner traffic | 11 382 000 | 11 589 000 | 11 372 000 |
| Passengers of international cruise traffic |
408 900 | 478 000 | 518 000 |
| Vehicles | 1 758 000 | 1 838 000 | 1 982 000 |
| Ship visits | 6 389 | 6 438 | 5 519 |