Green shipping corridor between Finland and Estonia gains momentum

The FIN-EST Green Corridor, a joint initiative between Finland and Estonia aimed at establishing a sustainable and climate-neutral maritime route in the Gulf of Finland, has made significant progress with the approval of 19 collaborative projects. These projects focus on reducing the carbon footprint of ferry travel between the two countries. Launched in October 2023 through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Helsinki, Tallinn, and key stakeholders, the initiative aims to create a green maritime corridor connecting Helsinki-Tallinn and Vuosaari-Muuga. These initiatives cover a range of areas, including:

Green fuels: Ensuring the availability of eco-friendly fuels and addressing related safety regulations.
Zero-emission port infrastructure: Introducing zero-emission vehicles and machinery at ports, supported by new infrastructure.

Waste management: Harmonizing ship-generated and consumer waste recycling systems for more sustainable practices.

Fuel efficiency digital solutions: Implementing digital tools to monitor and reduce ferry fuel consumption.
Carbon capture technologies: Exploring carbon capture to reduce emissions further.

Cycling travel promotion: Improving experiences for cycling travellers, ensuring smooth bicycle travel between cities and ships.

Valdo Kalm, CEO of Port of Tallinn and Chairman of the FIN-EST Green Corridor Steering Group, emphasized the importance of these projects, stating they represent a commitment to sustainability while enhancing regional connectivity and competitiveness. Ville Haapasaari, CEO of Port of Helsinki, highlighted the project’s ambition and success in fostering cross-border collaboration to achieve carbon neutrality across the transportation chain.

Key partners include the cities and ports of Helsinki and Tallinn, along with major shipping companies like Tallink Grupp and Viking Line, supported by the governments of Finland and Estonia.