In 2020 Q1, 4.8 million tonnes of cargo and 1.6 million passengers passed through the harbours of Tallinna Sadam. Compared to the same period of previous year, the cargo volume increased 2.0%. The number of passengers in Q1 decreased by 13.3%. The number of ship calls declined by 2.9% to 1585 calls.
In terms of passenger numbers, the results of Q1 were mostly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic that broke out in March and the related special measures established in Estonia and neighboring countries, as well as restrictions on passenger transport. The Tallinn-Stockholm route was temporarily closed as of 15 March, and passenger traffic on the Tallinn-Helsinki route decreased significantly in the second half of March due to the closure of the Estonian and Finnish borders for passengers. Operators have also reduced the number of ships sailing on the Tallinn-Helsinki route and their schedules, which in turn decreased the number of vessel calls. The ban on receiving cruise ship calls during the emergency did not affect the number of passengers in Q1, as the cruise season starts in April.
Freight transport has so far not been significantly affected by the pandemic, but this could rather have influence in the coming quarters due to the projected economic downturn. The volume of liquid bulk increased, but the handling of goods continues to be project-based and the quarterly volumes are volatile. The volume of ro-ro cargo increased despite the introduction of COVID-19 pandemic related special measures for passenger transport, which takes place with ro-pax vessels. The slight decrease in dry bulk was due to lower handling of fertilizers and grain. The volume of containers in units decreased to the level of 2018.
The decrease in the number of vessel calls is mainly caused by cargo vessels, which was affected by the decrease in the number of container ship calls, partly due to the larger ship coming on the route and changes in the voyage schedule. As several passenger ships were in the dock for maintenance work in Q1 2019, the comparison base for them was lower than usual and therefore the number of passenger ship calls did not decrease significantly in Q1.
Cargo volume by type of cargo, the number of passengers by route and vessel calls in 2020 Q1 are presented in the table below:
| Q1 2020 | Q1 2019 | change | change % | |
| Cargo volume by type of cargo (th tonnes) | 4 815 | 4 719 | 96 | 2,0% |
| Liquid bulk | 2 161 | 1 954 | 207 | 10.6% |
| Ro-ro | 1 333 | 1 274 | 59 | 4.6% |
| Dry bulk | 767 | 823 | -56 | -6.8% |
| Containers | 457 | 490 | -33 | -6.7% |
| in TEUs | 50 509 | 59 605 | -9 096 | -15.3% |
| General cargo | 97 | 178 | -81 | -45.4% |
| Non-marine | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| Number of passengers by routes (th) | 1 552 | 1 790 | -237 | -13.3% |
| Tallinn-Helsinki | 1 395 | 1 616 | -220 | -13.6% |
| Tallinn-Stockholm | 136 | 151 | -15 | -9.9% |
| Muuga-Vuosaari | 15 | 10 | 5 | 52.7% |
| Tallinn-St.Petersburg | 0 | 2 | -2 | -100.0% |
| Cruise (traditional) | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
| Other | 6 | 11 | -5 | -43.4% |
| Number of vessel calls by vessel type | 1 585 | 1 632 | -47 | -2.9% |
| Cargo vessels | 377 | 421 | -44 | -10.5% |
| Passenger vessels (incl. Ro-Pax) | 1 208 | 1 211 | -3 | -0.2% |
| Cruise vessels (traditional) | 0 | 0 | 0 | - |
More detailed statistics of passengers by nationality, gender and routes on monthly basis, can be viewed on the Port of Tallinn web page: http://ts.ee/statistics
Tallinna Sadam is one of the largest cargo- and passenger port complexes in the Baltic Sea region, which in 2019 serviced 10.64 million passengers and 19.9 million tons of cargo. In addition to passenger and freight services, Tallinna Sadam group also operates in shipping business via its subsidiaries – OÜ TS Laevad provides ferry services between the Estonian mainland and the largest islands, and OÜ TS Shipping charters its multifunctional vessel Botnica for icebreaking and construction services in Estonia and offshore projects abroad. Tallinna Sadam group is also a shareholder of an associate AS Green Marine, which provides waste management services. According to audited financial results, Tallinna Sadam group's sales in 2019 totaled EUR 130.5 million, adjusted EBITDA EUR 74.3 million and net profit EUR 44.4 million.
Additional information:
Marju Zirel
Head of Investor Relations
AS Tallinna Sadam
m.zirel@ts.ee