Investments totalling more than €200 million are underway in the Finnish port of Turku. The new Fregatti Terminal is set to make ferry services more efficient from 2028 onwards and support the planned green corridor to Stockholm.
The Port of Turku and other stakeholders are investing more than €200 million in the redevelopment of the port area. A key component is the new Fregatti Terminal, which is set to be used by Viking Line and Tallink Silja from 2028.
The terminal is set to replace the two existing separate terminals and vehicle areas. According to Viking Line, up to 8,000 passengers a day travelling on the ferries “Viking Glory” and “Viking Grace” are expected to be handled via the terminal in future.
According to the company, the ships’ port calls will last just over an hour. During this time, the ferries will be refuelled, provisioned and cleaned. The volume of lorries per departure is equivalent to a queue of around 1.5 km.
“Not a single minute is wasted whilst our ships are in Turku harbour – and every minute saved during the port call reduces fuel consumption at sea,” emphasises Johanna Boijer-Svahnström, Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications at Viking Line.
New terminal set to improve traffic flows
Around 80,000 lorries and 230,000 cars travel to the Port of Turku every year. Once the redevelopment is complete, up to 48 parallel vehicle lanes are set to lead to the quay areas. In addition, new traffic regulations introduced by the City of Turku and digital systems are set to simplify access.
According to Markku Alahäme, Technical Director of the Port of Turku, vehicles will in future be automatically identified and digitally assigned to the correct lane. Connections to public transport are also set to be improved. A train platform, bus stop and a future tram link are to be located directly at the terminal.
Viking Line’s future berth S2 will be equipped with an automatic vacuum mooring system. This is intended to speed up arrivals and departures.
Fossil-free corridor planned by 2035
Viking Line, the Port of Turku and Ports of Stockholm are working on a fossil-free shipping corridor between Turku and Stockholm. The target year is 2035.
Viking Line highlights investments totalling €450 million in the vessels “Viking Glory” and “Viking Grace” on the Turku route. The vessels are currently operated using a 50/50 blend of bio-LNG and LNG. According to the company, both fuels produce very low sulphur and particulate emissions. In addition, Viking Line is examining the installation of batteries on the ships as part of a feasibility study.
The new terminal is also set to feature sustainable solutions. Plans include fossil-free district heating and cooling, as well as carbon-neutral electricity. The aim is to achieve a high rating in the Finnish environmental classification system, Rakennustieto.
