Helsingfors, Finland

Port Overview

Helsingfors, commonly known as Helsinki, is located on the Gulf of Finland. It is Finland's largest port and one of Europe's busiest, handling over 15 million tonnes of goods annually. Strategically, it serves as a gateway for both cargo and passenger traffic, with significant trade in forest products and machinery. The port's Vuosaari container terminal handles a substantial portion of Finland's containerized cargo, with a capacity to manage shipments of 4000 TEUs. Helsinki's port is crucial for Finland's foreign trade, with a strong focus on sustainable operations.

Facilities & Infrastructure

Helsinki Port comprises four main harbour areas spanning 165 hectares with 11,050 meters of quay length. The South Harbour handles passenger ferries to Stockholm and Tallinn via Katajanokka and Olympia terminals. West Harbour features two modern terminals with automated docking systems, dual-level RoRo ramps, and shore power connections. Vuosaari Port serves as the primary container facility, managing one-third of Finland's containerized cargo with capacity for 4,000 TEUs, equipped with 180 reefer points and specialized warehousing. The port handles approximately 11 million passengers annually.

Container Terminals

Helsinki’s main container terminal is located at Vuosaari Harbour, purpose-built for efficient Ro-Ro and container operations. Vuosaari features 11 deep-water berths, with a total quay length of about 1,900 meters, capable of handling the largest container vessels in the Baltic. Annual container capacity exceeds 1.5 million TEUs. The terminal is highly automated, utilizing advanced cargo handling systems. Major operators include Steveco (terminal management) and global shipping lines such as COSCO. Helsinki remains Finland’s second-largest container port, specializing in unitized cargo and international trade.

Port Services

• Container handling: Facilities for loading, unloading, and storage of containers, including modern cranes and equipment.
• Cargo operations: Handling of general, bulk, and breakbulk cargo, with specialized terminals for different cargo types.
• Ship services: Bunkering, fresh water supply, waste disposal, ship repairs, pilotage, and tug assistance.
• Warehousing: On-site storage options, including bonded and temperature-controlled warehouses.
• Customs: Full customs clearance and inspection services for import and export cargo.

Global Connectivity

Helsingfors (Helsinki), Finland’s primary maritime gateway, operates three main harbors: South Harbour and West Harbour in the city center for both passengers and cargo, and Vuosaari Harbour in the east, dedicated to freight. The port connects Finland to key Baltic and European markets via regular ferry services to Tallinn, Stockholm, Saint Petersburg, and Travemünde, as well as hosting international cruise traffic. It serves as a critical hub for Finland’s foreign trade, with main exports including forest industry products and machinery, while imports are dominated by consumer goods. The port’s strategic location and efficient multimodal links ensure strong connectivity to domestic regions and major international markets.

Port Statistics

Port of Helsinki Key Statistics

Container Throughput: The port handled approximately 122,000 TEUs in Q1 2025, showing strong growth of 31% year-over-year. Annual capacity exceeds 14 million tonnes total cargo.

Infrastructure: Finland's largest cargo and passenger port, serving as the primary gateway for Baltic Sea trade. The port features multiple terminals handling unitized cargo, containers, and roll-on/roll-off operations.

Operations: Major ferry connections operate to Tallinn, Stockholm, Travemünde, and Mariehamn, supporting over 1.6 million passengers quarterly. The port is operated by the City of Helsinki.