The tendering process for a building contract for a new pier for Viking Line at the Finnish port of Turku started on 9th February.
Structural design of the quays has been undertaken by Profund and the goal is to start building the quays this summer, the port said.
Both the port and the City of Turku have begun a multi-million euro project – co-funded by CEF – that includes the renewal of the infrastructure, quays and car parks, as well as digitalising the port.
At the beginning of May, the winner of the design competition for the port’s new passenger terminal will be announced.
The new passenger terminal is scheduled for completion in February, 2026, according to Annika Schulman, Assistant Executive Port of Turku.
In terms of the coming season and ports calls, she said: “We have been strongly effected by the situation in St Petersburg and we are looking at a record summer at the moment regarding cruise calls in Turku.”
Currently, there are more than 20 calls confirmed with the possibility that this number will rise.
The season begins on 3rd May and continues through late September. However, Schulman said the surrounding nature in winter time could be appealing enough to extend the season to all year round, particularly as the port is open all year.
“Since we have our regular liner ships calling twice a day all year, the port is active and ready for cruise calls any time a year, also with short notice,” she explained.
For example, Viking Lines’ new ropax, ‘Viking Glory’, will begin homeporting at Turku year-round following her delivery from China in early April.
