The Port of Helsinki noted a record year in 2018, with a total of 14.7 million tonnes of goods, noting an increase of 3.3% compared to the previous year, while it maintained its position as the busiest passenger port in Europe, with a higher than ever number of international cruise tourists.
Cargo volume
The overall volume of 2018 was positive, even though the market development was expected to occur during the year.
The cargo traffic in Tallinn experienced an increase of 5.5%, reaching to 4.2 million tonnes. In the summer season, Rostock traffic moved away from Helsinki, and resulted to a decreased freight traffic in Germany by 7.1%, in comparison to 2017.
The majority of products that are being transmitted through the port of Helsinki are unit freight, such as freight carried in trucks, trailers and containers.
Moreover, in 2018 12.0 million tonnes passed through the port of Helsinki, increasing by 1.1%.
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The foreign imports and exports remained stable. Whereas, of the unit traffic, imports reached the 5.6 million tonnes, equal to 1.3% increase, and exports 6.4 million tonnes, experiencing a 0.9% rise.
The volume of container traffic in 2018 was 509,500 TEUs, increase by 3.7%, which is 4.0 million tonnes. An overall of 603,100 units of rubber wheels, as trucks and trailers, totaled 7.6 million tonnes.
Passengers
In addition to the trade flows, an overall of 12.08 million passengers voyaged through the port of Helsinki during 2018.
As far as liner shipping is concerned, it reached the 11.56 million. Yet, it faced a reduction by 1.8%, in comparison to 2017’s records.
The busiest cruise between Helsinki and Tallinn was 8.8 million passengers, following a decrease of 1.8%, in comparison to last year. This is approximately 77% of all passengers passing through the port of Helsinki.
The mild refraction of the top position is mostly explained because of the lack of fast ferry services between Helsinki and Tallinn during 2018 and the reduction in Finnish sea travel because of increased price in Estonia.
Concluding, 2.3 million passengers, decreased by 2.1% voyaged between Stockholm and Helsinki. The popularity of the route has been fairly stable for years. The number of passengers on international cruise ships broke the record for the previous year. Nearly 520,000 passengers visited Helsinki, which is about 40,000 passengers and 8.5% more than 2017. There were 285 visits, which is 19 more than in the previous year.
