Eckerö Line: Strong passenger volume growth in January-September 2023

Eckerö Line’s passenger volumes developed strongly in the first three quarters of 2023. The total number of passengers for the company operating the Helsinki-Tallinn route increased by 16 percent compared to the previous year and exceeded 1.6 million passengers. This will be reflected in the financial result accordingly.The special delight for Eckerö Line is that M/s Finlandia has carried cumulatively the most passengers this year from all vessels operating between Helsinki and Tallinn. 

Eckerö Line’s cargo business also developed fairly positively in the first three quarters of 2023. The company increased its market share, which is now 37 % (v. 31 % in January-September 2022). 60 % of the cargo carried by Eckerö Line passes through Vuosaari Harbour. The M/s Finbo Cargo, which operates from Vuosaari, is also a smooth alternative for car passengers – it helps passengers to avoid congestions in the city centre area in both Helsinki and Tallinn.

Eckerö Line’s customers are the most satisfied in Finland

“Commercial success and growth are not possible without satisfied customers. Finnish passengers voted Eckerö Line’s to the first place in a survey measuring the customer satisfaction of Finnish passengers in shipping between Finland and Estonia," says Taru Keronen, CEO of Eckerö Line. 

The result is part of EPSI Rating’s industry research on ship travel, which charted customer experience and satisfaction of shipping companies operating between Finland and Estonia, as well as Finland and Sweden (incl. Åland Islands). 

“Customers, stakeholders and Eckerö Line’s committed personnel deserve warm congratulations and thanks for the first three highly successful quarters of 2023,” comments Björn Blomqvist, CEO of Rederi Eckerö. “The financial situation of the Group as a whole is currently stable and sound. In early summer, the bonds quoted on the Oslo Stock Exchange were abrogated and the M/s Birka Stockholm-ship was sold," Blomqvist says.

The most significant change in the passenger behaviour of Eckerö Line has been that Finns travel more and more also to other destinations in Estonia, not just Tallinn. Eckerö Line’s hotel sales have increased by 17 % in 2023 compared to the previous year. Particularly, families with children have discovered Eckerö Line’s diverse programme offerings and interesting destinations for the whole family in Estonia. The proportion of international passengers has also increased. Relative growth has been highest for US, Indian and Chinese travellers.

Link to the original press release from Eckerö Line.

Text & Image ©: Eckerö Line