The Port of Helsinki has recorded a year-on-year decrease of 8.3% in container volumes during 2021, handling 467,000 TEU.
However, total cargo traffic at the Finnish port increased by 8% over 2020, while it proceeded 14.4 million tonnes in total. The European port reported imports of 6.6 million tonnes and exports of 7.7 million tonnes.
Meanwhile, the amount of unitised cargo reached an all-time high in 2021, 12.1 million tonnes, which translates to a rise of 9.2% compared to 2020. Out of those, 5.52 million tonnes were imports and 6.61 million tonnes were exports, reflecting year-on-year increases of 6.2% and 12%, respectively.
Most of the goods transported via the Port of Helsinki were unitised cargo for Finland’s foreign trade, such as cargo transported on lorries, trailers and containers.
The Port of Helsinki saw an increased amount of cargo transported on trailers due to the disruptions in global maritime traffic, such as the blockage of the Suez Canal, the shortage in container equipment and the record-high box prices.
“Cargo traffic recovered well from the slump caused by Covid-19 and Helsinki strengthened its position in comparison to competing ports,” said Ville Haapasaari, CEO of the Port of Helsinki, who expects a positive trend for cargo traffic in 2022.
