The Port of Turku forged strongly ahead despite challenges

The ongoing war in Ukraine and the increasing tension in transatlantic relations in the form of increased tariffs, for example, also had a negative impact on the Finnish economy – from the perspective of both industry and consumers. With regard to domestic consumption, the rise in unemployment to record high figures affected almost all sectors, particularly retail trade and services.

Finances and operations at a stable level

The year 2025 was good for the Port of Turku, however, despite the general development. The port company’s finances remained strong, operational activities continued to be stable and investments in the port’s future proceeded as planned. The port company achieved a turnover of EUR 22.3 million in 2025 with an operating profit of EUR 5.1 million. In terms of financial figures, the Port of Turku is the most profitable port in Finland.

For passenger traffic, the Port of Turku maintained its position as the number one port for passenger traffic between Finland and Sweden, with approximately 2.1 million passengers passing through the port during 2025. Compared to 2024, the number of passengers decreased by only about 2%, despite the challenges of the general economic situation and the long dry docking period of one ship operating the Swedish line. International tourists were also brought to Turku by cruise line companies operating in the Baltic Sea. As in the previous year, there were seven vessel visits, of which four were maiden visits to Turku. Altogether, these cruise ships brought 2,830 passengers to Turku.

The development of cargo traffic at the port of Turku in 2025 was affected by the interruption of German traffic to the port at the end of the previous year, as well as the route changes in Swedish traffic and the long dry docking period of one ship. As a result, the volume of cargo traffic in 2025 fell below its normal level to around 1.5 million tonnes. The decline from the previous year was about 13 per cent, but the outlook for 2026 is positive. Cargo traffic is expected to be boosted by, among other things, the route change implemented by the WALLENIUS SOL shipping company. As a result of the change, a weekly connection between Turku and Travemünde, one of the most important ports for Finnish exports, was reopened. The connection has been well received and the hopes are to introduce a second weekly departure from Turku to Travemünde.

Thanks to the route change implemented by the shipping company WALLENIUS SOL, Turku once again gained a weekly connection to Travemünde, one of the most important ports for Finland’s exports.

The port’s warehousing services support cargo traffic. The utilisation rate of the port’s own warehouse facilities remained high, with the capacity being fully reserved at times. The year 2025 exceeded the expectations for the subsidiary Turku Free Zone Company. The company’s turnover increased to EUR 4.1 million, which signifies growth of approximately 45 per cent.

Ferry Terminal Turku and the West Harbour renewals progress

The construction of the new joint Ferry Terminal Turku in the port of Turku got underway in January 2025 in the hands of Skanska Talonrakennus Oy, which was chosen as the project contractor. At the beginning of September, the foundation stone of the terminal was laid at a celebratory event, and the renewal of the yard area of the new terminal also got underway during the same month. The rate of completion of Pier S1, which will be used by Tallink Silja, was already at approximately 65 per cent in December. The start of construction work for Quay S2, which is reserved for Viking Line, is being planned for the autumn of 2026. The joint terminal will be taken into use at the beginning of 2027 and the entire Ferry Terminal Turku project will be completed in stages in early 2028.

Alongside the Ferry Terminal Turku project, the Port of Turku is preparing for the renewal of the West Harbour in order to further improve the operating conditions for cargo traffic. The plans include the construction of a quay berth for larger RoRo vessels and the initiation of a shore power project. In addition, the Gatehouse project, which will provide cargo operators with modern facilities for customer service and machinery maintenance functions, is set to get underway.

Construction of the new joint terminal began in January 2025, carried out by Skanska Talonrakennus Oy. The terminal’s cornerstone was laid in early September in a ceremonial event, and in the same month the renewal of the new terminal’s yard area also began.

In connection with the port’s own projects, the rearrangement of port traffic is also moving forward. Construction of a new route for vehicle traffic in the port, including HGV traffic, has begun, and the construction of a new railway line in the port is also about to begin.

The road to carbon-neutral shipping is well underway

Launched jointly by the Port of Turku, Port of Stockholm and Viking Line in 2024, the Green Corridor project has reached the so-called implementation phase, where measures to reduce emissions are being actively adopted. Viking Line’s vessels now operate the Turku-Stockholm route using approximately 50% renewable fuel. Viking Line has also announced its readiness to upgrade Viking Glory, which also operates along the same route, to be partially electric already in the late 2020´s. The port of Turku is already preparing for this change in connection with the Ferry Terminal Turku project. The aim of the entire Green Corridor initiative is to create a fossil-free shipping corridor between Turku and Stockholm by 2035.

The Green Corridor project has progressed to the implementation phase, and emission‑reducing measures are being introduced. The vessels operating Viking Line’s Turku–Stockholm route now use approximately 50% renewable fuel. The company has also announced its readiness to convert Viking Glory to partial electric propulsion, possibly already in the late 2020´s.

For me, the year 2026 will be my last at the helm of the Port of Turku. I will retire once the autumn arrives and I would like to already take this opportunity to thank the Port personnel, customers and all co-operative partners and stakeholders with whom I have had the pleasure of working over the past seven years. At the same time, on behalf of myself and the Port of Turku, I wish everyone a productive and successful year in 2026.

Erik Söderholm
Managing Director of Port of Turku Ltd

Read the full annual report 2025 (pdf).

Photos: Jarmo Piironen & Markku Koivumäki