Ports : Port of Helsinki throughput in January-April 2021 rose by 4.5% YoY

In January-April 2021, the Port of Helsinki (Finland) handled 4.7 million tonnes of cargo (+4.5%, year-on-year), the port authority says. According to the statement, handling of dry bulk cargo fell by 12% to 477,505 tonnes, container throughput fell by 3.3% to 161,616 TEUs. Turnover of trucks and semitrailers rose by 6% to 208,539 units.

In the reporting period, passenger traffic fell by 73% to 502,208 people.

The number of ship calls rose by 6.4% to 2,225 units.

The Port of Helsinki is one of the largest ports in Finland, the largest passenger port and the third largest in the Baltic Sea. The Port of Helsinki accounts for 77% of Finland’s passenger traffic. In 2020, the port handled 13.3 mln t of cargo.

On other side ,Cargo traffic operations are continuing strong, even though the covid 19 has had a strong impact on the passenger traffic. Port of Helsinki Ltd is doing everything it can to ensure the continuity of the operations.

Southern Finland’s regional state administrative agency (AVI) announced 17 March 2021 that passengers arriving to Finland from risk countries will be subject to a compulsory health check at the border. As a part of the check, a coronavirus test may also be carried out. The compulsory checks will come into force on Thursday 18 March and will be in place until 31 May 2021.

The Finnish Government tightened border traffic and the recommendations on testing and quarantine from 27 January onward. The aim is to prevent the re-escalation of the growth of the COVID-19 epidemic and the spread of the COVID-19 variant in Finland.

Border control will be continued until 25 May. Entry into the country based on employment will be restricted to essential duties. Certain special groups are permitted to enter the country. Quarantine recommendation will be reintroduced to border crossings.

From 23 Feb on the shipping companies require a negative COVID – 19 test result or a medical  certificate of a past  COVID- 19 disease (max 6 months old).