Port of Helsinki and Port of Tallinn continue to work together closely to develop the Helsinki-Tallinn maritime link, Port of Tallinn says in its press release. The ports together with AS Tallink Grupp have recently submitted applications for funding investments within the 2014 CEF Transport Multi-Annual Calls for Proposals. The goal is to develop an improved and stream-lined port infrastructure and green line operation between Helsinki and Tallinn. The application is backed by both the Finnish and the Estonian Governments.
According to the Helsinki and Tallinn Twin-City -concept, the ports have logically called their project TWIN-PORT, which is also the name of the first cooperation project funded by the EU in the period 2012-2015.The current application is a follow-up project and will serve the same goals. The ports are investing 100 million euros in port infrastructure in order to achieve additional capacity and improve the flow of the densely operated Helsinki - Tallinn line, which serves 8.2 million passengers and 3.1 million tons of cargo annually.
- The investments in our ports will greatly improve both ports’ capacity to serve the maritime link between Helsinki and Tallinn. Infrastructure improvements within the ports and the connecting city areas will serve also both cities well, said Ain Kaljurand, CEO of Port of Tallinn.
- Tallink’s contribution in the project is essential containing the development of a new environmentally friendly LNG vessel with efficiency related solutions targeting the route to become a truly Green Shipping Line. We hope the EU-commission will support our efforts, said Kimmo Mäki, CEO of Port of Helsinki Ltd.
- It is crucial that the ports continue the joint effort to develop the Helsinki – Tallinn connection. We are glad that Tallink can be part of this and contribute with the latest technology, energy efficiency and environmental innovation, said Janek Stalmeister, CEO of AS Tallink Grupp.
The Ports of Helsinki and Tallinn are appointed TEN-T core ports situated in the North Sea Baltic Corridor. In addition, Port of Helsinki situated also in the Scandinavian-Mediterranean Corridor in fact combines through the TWIN-PORT project the both TEN-T Corridors.
The applications will now be evaluated and the EU Commission is expected to give notice in the summer this year.