Eckerö Line and the Helsinki–Tallinn journey has become increasingly popular – The cultural destinations of Tallinn draw visitors

For two years in a row, Eckerö Line has broken the record of their passenger numbers and the Helsinki-Tallinn journey has become increasingly popular. The partner country of the Matka Nordic Travel Fair 2020, Estonia, draws visitors across the bay particularly with its new and diverse cultural destinations. Visiting nearby destinations interest people also for its eco-friendliness. 

 

In 2019, over 1 890 000 passengers sailed with Eckerö Line, which operates between Helsinki and Tallinn. The record numbers of the Finnish shipping company were supported by the new Finbo Cargo -ship as well as international passengers, whose share in the overall passenger number increased 9 % compared to the previous year. The overall passenger number of the Helsinki-Tallinn journey was also on a light increase with a 0.8 percent increase.

 

Estonia draws both international as well as Finnish passengers with its amazing new cultural destinations, such as the photographic art centre Fotografiska, which opened its doors last year, as well as the invention factory Proto in Noblessner, the Kai Art Center and the Estonian Maritime Museum located in the Fat Margaret tower. Narva Castle has also reopened its doors after renovations and now visitors can also tour the east wing of the castle.

  

“Tallinn is currently an extremely interesting cultural city. We have noticed that for many of our customers, the new attractions are the main reason to visit Tallinn,” says CEO of Eckerö Line Taru Keronen. 

The UN agency, IMO, decided in the spring of 2018 that the greenhouse gas emissions (ton/km) of international shipping will be cut up to 40 % by 2030 and 70 % by 2050. Despite the increase in traffic volume, the absolute level of emissions will be cut at least 50 % by 2050. After this, the efforts to eliminate emissions completely will be continued gradually.

 

“The Finnish shipping companies have been on the forefront of development for years and acted as references and test platforms for the environmental innovations of the marine industry,” says CEO of Finnish Shipowners’ Association Tiina Tuurnala.

 

According to the Finnish Shipowners’ Association, the carbon footprint of individual passengers is much lower in shipping than in other forms of travel. For example, a passenger’s journey to Stockholm via ship generates 20 – 24 kilos of carbon emissions, whereas the corresponding number for air travel is 41 – 64 kilos.

In addition to being a domestic and trustworthy shipping company loved by its customers, the employees enjoy working at Eckerö Line: the company achieved for a second time the international Great Place to Work -certification. The recognition shows that employees find the organisation to be a good place to work since the recognition is achieved when the Trust Index -survey result surpasses 70 %*. According to the survey, up to 87% of Eckerö Line’s personnel find the company a good place to work.