Our renewing port is increasing customer competitiveness

As regards shipping, the main directions for the port of Turku are Sweden and other Scandinavian countries, as well as Germany, through which all main export and import markets can be reached. The functionality of the overall logistics chain is strengthened by excellent connections both internationally and domestically. The port of Turku is one of the key hubs within the EU TEN-T transport network, offering smooth connections to the main transport routes of the Finnish road network. Together with the port’s 24-hour service and short turnaround time, good connections ensure the smooth flow of transport to nearby areas as well as foreign markets.

As a passenger harbour, Turku is the market leader in traffic between Finland and Sweden. The appeal of the port of Turku when travelling to Sweden lies in the exceptional scenery along the route through the archipelago and the most modern fleet in the Baltic Sea, which invests in both passenger comfort and a unique level of eco-friendliness. By responding to the wishes of consumers, the port of Turku and shipping companies are ensuring that travel by ship is an attractive and modern value-based option for recreational fun.

A clear strategy is guiding the port towards the future

The drafted business strategy for the Port of Turku creates a foundation for its activities in 2025–2030. The aim of the strategy is to achieve profitable growth and sustainable development in select business areas, namely passenger traffic, cargo traffic and logistics. The strategy document is reviewed annually and updated as necessary to correspond to changes in the operating environment.

The goal of the updated strategy is profitable growth and sustainable development in the selected business sectors: passenger port operations, cargo port operations, and logistics operations.

The focus of the strategy is on customer-orientation, reliability, renewal and sustainability. The goal is to strengthen the operating conditions for business in the Turku region and nationally, and to create added value for customers by meeting their expectations and reacting quickly to the changing situations and needs of customers and markets.

Proactive preparations for changes in the operating environment

The operating environment of the port is constantly changing and evolving. The biggest drivers of change are digitalisation, environmental protection and urban development in Turku. In digitalisation and environmental matters, the Port of Turku continues to endeavour to strengthen its role as a pioneer in the industry.

Digital solutions are already widely utilised in port operations, and IT applications are a key aspect of the new Ferry Terminal Turku, which aims to be a modern maritime service centre where both passenger and traffic services are smooth and easy to navigate. Environmental issues focus on practical measures to protect the Baltic Sea and biodiversity and to achieve carbon neutrality in accordance with the Port of Turku’s environmental programme.

One of the key environmental targets is the creation of a fossil-free shipping corridor between Turku and Stockholm, where co-operation with the Ports of Stockholm and the City of Turku has already produced clear results.

Urban development in Turku poses challenges for port operations but, at the same time, strengthens the port’s traditionally strong position as part of Turku’s maritime image. The completion of the port’s new joint terminal will serve as a starting point for the construction of the new Linnanniemi area next to the port and Turku Castle. The aim is to make Linnanniemi a vibrant, creative and interesting environment within a historical milieu that will equally serve business, housing and tourism. The future of the port is also affected by the City of the Sea vision for Turku, which, if realised, may affect the operations of the cargo port. The realisation of this vision, however, is still decades away.

Passenger traffic is expected to pick up once the new Ferry Terminal Turku project is completed in 2027. The joint terminal project, which has already generated significant interest from the shipping companies involved, will enhance the port of Turku’s appeal among both leisure travelers and cruise lines.

Established market situation for freight and passenger transport

The changes in the market situation within the port sector have been small in recent years. In the port of Turku, both the number of passengers and the tonnage transported by cargo traffic have varied only slightly each year, taking into account the impact of the crises of the 2020s.

In 2025, the volume of cargo traffic was affected by an interruption in German traffic that lasted almost the entire year and by the long-term maintenance periods for ships operating along the Swedish route. Despite this, the port of Turku retained its position as the leading port for traffic between Finland and Scandinavia, while the reopening of the German route strengthened Turku’s competitiveness in cargo traffic throughout the Baltic Sea region. In fact, demand for the latter sometimes even exceeded capacity, thus opening up the possibility to increase the number of shipping departures from Turku.

The market situation for passenger traffic is also stable, although the effects of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine are still visible in the liner traffic between Finland and Sweden and in international cruise traffic. The traffic is expected to pick up, however, when the new Ferry Terminal Turku project is completed in 2027. The joint terminal project of the shipping companies, which has already attracted great interest, will increase the appeal of the port of Turku, both among leisure tourists and cruise ship companies, and will enable growth in passenger numbers over the coming years.

Text: Kari Ahonen
Photo: Janne Stenroos

Read the full annual report 2025 (pdf).