Turku’s strengths for cargo traffic are speed and flexibility
The port of Turku offers fast and reliable connections across the Baltic Sea for Finnish exports and imports. The main directions for shipping are Sweden and the other Nordic countries as well as Germany, with Stockholm and Travemünde as key partner ports for Finland’s foreign trade. However, the port’s regular liner traffic also serves transports to other destinations in the Baltic Sea region and provides functional connections to ocean liner routes via Bremerhaven, one of Europe’s largest ports.
The smooth flow of cargo traffic is ensured by the port’s flexible, 24-hour vessel services and port operators that specialise in demanding shipping projects. Additionally, the efficient operation of the transport chains is facilitated by the port’s excellent land connections. The port is an integral part of the TEN-T transport network connecting the main European cargo traffic routes, and transfers from the port to Finland’s main roads are achieved quickly and smoothly without congestion.
The port of Turku is an integral part of the TEN‑T transport network, which connects Europe’s main freight routes.
The port’s cargo traffic and its development are based on three strategically selected business areas, namely RoPax traffic serving cargo and passengers, RoRo and LoLo traffic that focuses exclusively on cargo, and warehousing activities that support the cargo traffic.
Clear improvement in cargo transports at the end of the year
Considering the general economic situation, the year 2025 was satisfactory for cargo traffic at the port of Turku, even though the volume of cargo passing through the port was only 1.5 million tonnes. The cargo volume was especially reduced by the disruption in German traffic at the turn of the year 2024/2025, which did not recover until November 2025. The multi-week dry docking of one of the ships operating along the Swedish route also had an impact. Without these events, the volume of cargo traffic would have been at its normal level, but the decline from the previous year amounted to about 13 per cent.
At the end of the year, signs of improvement in cargo traffic were seen when WALLENIUS SOL restored Travemünde as a partner port for the liner service of the port of Turku. South Enabler, which was introduced into Turku’s traffic by the shipping company last summer, initiated a new route (Turku–Travemünde–Bremerhaven–Cuxhaven–Paldiski–Turku) at the beginning of November, thus allowing the vessel’s departure frequency to be increased to a weekly departure every Friday. South Enabler has consistently had a good utilisation rate, which has prompted WALLENIUS SOL to consider adding another vessel to the Turku line, even though concrete plans have not yet been made.
Three other shipping companies also serve cargo customers within the liner traffic of the port of Turku. Baltic Line operates weekly to designated ports in Denmark, Norway, the Baltic countries and Poland as well as shipping to other ports in the region. The shipping company’s scheduling enables fast positioning on board for urgent project cargoes, for example. The liner traffic between Turku and Stockholm is operated by Viking Line and Tallink Silja, which serve unit cargo in particular. Three daily departures and fast sea routes make it easier to schedule and accommodate transports in accordance with the driving and rest time regulations for HGV traffic.
Renewal in the West Harbour aims far into the future
In addition to the Ferry Terminal Turku project in the passenger harbour area, the port of Turku is also renewing and enhancing cargo traffic services in the West Harbour area. The port has had a new break room for professional drivers since 2025, and the truck parking area will be getting a 600kW fast charging station for HGVs.
Of the future investments, the largest include the construction of a new RoRo quay equipped with shore power that is dimensioned for large vessels, and the Gatehouse project, which provides operators with modern facilities for customer service and machinery maintenance. At the same time, the gate arrangements of the West Harbour will be renewed to give cargo traffic its own entrance from the new port route.
The development of the West Harbour infrastructure also supports the Port of Turku’s negotiations concerning the opening of new lines to southern Baltic Sea ports. Discussions have taken place with different shipping companies and various solution models have been sought that would enable the new lines to be launched. Any decisions on the new lines will not likely be made until the global situation settles, but in the meantime, the aim at the Port of Turku is to develop cargo traffic services in order to be able to quickly seize upon opportunities as they arise.
Text: Kari Ahonen
Photos: Janne Stenroos & Janne Bergman
