The total numbers of cargo and passengers in Port of Helsinki from January to May were very close to the previous year. However, there was slightly more unitized cargo traffic than early in the previous year.

From January to May, the total volume of cargo transported through the Port of Helsinki was 5.8 million tonnes, which is 1.1% less than during the corresponding period in the previous year.

The Port of Helsinki specialises in unit loads, meaning that goods flow through the port in sea containers, trucks and trailers, in particular. The number of unitizes cargo was 495,000, which is 4.9% more year-over-year. Container traffic in TEUs* was as much as 9.4% higher year-over-year, while the number of truck and trailer units was 1.2% above the previous year. The unitized cargo totalled 5.3 million tonnes (+2.5%).  

The imports and exports of unitized cargo were in excellent balance: imports amounted to 2.3 million tonnes (+1.8%) and exports to 3.0 million tonnes (+3.1%).  

“Now that the economy of Finland is finally starting to pick up, we are also seeing busier unitized cargo traffic. We hope of course, that the challenges facing global maritime transport are behind us for now, and that traffic can operate according to normal demand, supply, and market conditions without disruptions,” says Vesa Marttinen, VP Cargo at the Port of Helsinki.  

“We are also happy that the closure of the road tunnel to Vuosaari Harbour due to construction has largely not moved traffic from Vuosaari to other ports or harbours. According to Fintraffic, the tunnel works are advancing on schedule. And since the diversion route functions quite well, schedule disruptions have remained minor,” Marttinen sums up recent developments.

The key unitized cargo routes from Helsinki run to partner ports in Estonia, Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium. The Port of Helsinki supports the international trade of Finland and serves as a transit point for both foreign food and groceries as well as the exported forestry products, machinery, and equipment.

Travel remained at the same level from last year

The number of passengers recorded in Helsinki’s passenger liner traffic in January–May was 3.1 million, which was 0.5% less than in the corresponding period of the previous year. 

The majority of them, 2.5 million persons, travelled on the route between Helsinki and Tallinn. The number is 1.2% lower year-over-year. The number of passengers recorded on the route between Stockholm and Helsinki was 564,000 (+1.4%), while the number on the route between Travemünde and Helsinki was 59,000 (+9.6%). 

The peak passenger season that is about to begin is forecast to be good. The most popular departures and cabins are filled fast. People travel to Tallinn daily on multiple ships, and the ships to Stockholm are typically the summer favourites, without forgetting special cruises, as well.

By the end of May, Helsinki had recorded 17 international cruise ship calls carrying 44,000 tourists to Helsinki (+31.9%). The upcoming season is expected to be busy. After a break of several years, Helsinki will also receive 15 turnover cruise ships that will exchange all their passengers in Helsinki. This extends the travellers’ stay in the city.

The Port of Helsinki, with its 70% market share, is the leading passenger port in Finland and one of the busiest international passenger ports in Europe.

Read more
Port of Helsinki’s monthly port statistics  

Statistics for January–May 2026

*TEU = twenty-foot equivalent unit. 

**scheduled passenger traffic = regular ship traffic that operates according to a schedule, e.g. RoPax ferries operating between Tallinn and Helsinki.