Passenger numbers increased on the company’s current regular Estonia-Finland and Estonia-Sweden routes compared to 2022, but decreased on the Finland-Sweden routes due to a smaller number of vessels operating on the routes during the full year compared to the year before (the company’s vessel GALAXY I has been out of service of the Turku-Stockholm route and chartered out to the Netherlands since the second half of 2022). 

The number of passenger vehicles transported in 2023 increased by 2.6% compared to the previous year with a total of 840,881 passenger vehicles transported on all the company’s routes during the year (819,229 passenger vehicles in 2022).

Cargo transportation remained under competitive, weak economic environment and reduced capacity pressures in 2023 with the number of cargo units carried by the company across all the routes decreasing year-on-year by 20.9% and a total of 323,990 units being carried on the company’s vessels during the year (409 769 units carried during the full year in 2022).

Commenting on the statistics for the full year 2023, Tallink Grupp’s CEO Paavo Nõgene said:

“Our 2023 annual passenger statistics tell a story of slow and steady continuous recovery. When in 2022 we saw a sharp increase in passenger numbers across our routes with the last of the Covid restrictions lifted, then 2023 has been a year of more slow and steady recovery. We are not seeing sharper increases in passenger number growth due to some of our vessels currently still not operating on our core routes, but chartered out. This still makes perfect sense for us from an operational and risk reduction point of view as the markets and demand are not ready yet for increased capacity on our routes. Customer spending continues to be under pressure from price hikes in every walk of life and the wider global security and economic situation makes people careful with their spending.

“However, as we demonstrated last year with the addition of VICTORIA I to the Tallinn-Helsinki route in October, we are ready to add more capacity to our routes quickly and flexibly when we see demand and need, and our passengers are ready to jump on board as soon as we bring back vessels to our routes gradually.

“The big positive of the year has been the addition of MYSTAR to the Tallinn-Helsinki route and the newest member of our fleet has proved to be exactly the draw that we needed to bring customers – old and new – back to the Tallinn-Helsinki route after many challenging years. The new ship recently celebrated its one-year anniversary on the route and is already much loved by both our passengers and crew and the green bridge between Tallinn and Helsinki has proved itself already.

“In 2024 we will continue to build on this steady growth, focusing our attention also on the cargo transportation improvements and possibilities and we will continue the steady course we set ourselves on in 2023. As ever, Tallink Grupp will continue to work hard to guarantee vital transport links for people and goods between Estonia and Finland, Estonia and Sweden, and Finland and Sweden even at a time when the economic situations are challenging. The vessels and crew at Tallink Silja Line are waiting for both past and new customers and fans and we look forward to seeing everyone on board.”

© Shippax