In the third quarter of the year (July – September) the company transported a total 1,775,821 passengers, which is a 6.2% decrease compared to Q3 2022 (1,893,603 passengers in Q3 2022). The number of transported cargo units decreased in Q3 2023 by 26.1% compared to the same period in 2022 and totalled 75,701 units (102,399 units in Q3 2022). The number of passenger vehicles carried in Q3 2022 decreased by 1.5% compared to the same period last year and totalled 273,514 vehicles (277,747 vehicles in Q3 2022). Compared to Q3 2022 Tallink operated two less vessels on the routes during the quarter, with SILJA EUROPA and GALAXY I chartered out.

Commenting on the statistics, Paavo Nõgene, CEO of Tallink Grupp said:

„I am pleased that the passenger statistics continue to show post-crisis stabilising despite the continuing economic challenges and price hikes, with comparable routes and vessels showing year-on-year improvements. This summer has seen even more of our good home market customers return to our ships, but what we have also seen is the gradual return and increase in the number of Asian passengers. The number of Asian passengers has almost doubled in Q3 this year compared to last year, with travellers from South Korea, India, China, Japan and Taiwan topping the Asian passenger charts between July and September.

"The general economic situation in our home markets is fragile, which is mostly evident in our cargo unit figures, but also has a wider impact on consumer behaviour. We are flexible in our operations and decisions and are ready to take action if and where needed.

"While the summer did not see huge price hikes that would have a significant impact on our business, September has already brought a rather rapid marine fuel price increase, which we will unfortunately have to continue to pass on to our customers through the fuel surcharge, which we monitor and review regularly. As always, we are working hard to keep any surcharges and price increases for our customers to the minimum, but the cost of a good quality service has inevitably increased year on year."

FINLAND–SWEDEN
The third quarter Finland-Sweden results reflect the operation of the Helsinki-Stockholm and the Turku-Kapellskär /Turku-Stockholm route. The cruise ferry GALAXY I stopped operating on the Turku-Stockholm route in September 2022 due to a charter agreement.

ESTONIA–FINLAND
The third quarter Estonia-Finland results reflect operations of shuttle services of MYSTAR and MEGASTAR. The cruise ferry SILJA EUROPA stopped operating on the Tallinn-Helsinki route in August 2022 due to a charter agreement.

ESTONIA–SWEDEN
The third quarter Estonia-Sweden results reflect the operations of the Tallinn-Stockholm and the Paldiski-Kapellskär route by one cruise ferry and two cargo vessels. The cruise ferry BALTIC QUEEN did not operate for 12 days due to the planned dry docking on 3-15 September 2023.

OTHER EVENTS
In September 2023 the charter agreement of GALAXY I was extended for six months until April 2024 with the option of extending the agreement for another six months at the end of the agreement period.