New disembarkation building at the Port of Helsinki to open at Midsummer

The new disembarkation building for the West Terminal and the related quay modification work will be completed in time for the Midsummer traffic.

The new berth will serve the West Harbour’s traffic to Tallinn, of which a growing portion takes place using the new type of fast passenger ferries. On these ships, the passenger bridges are situated higher than on traditional ships, and after the new berth is completed, the West Terminal will be able to simultaneously serve two ships of the new type.

Eckerö Line’s MS Finlandia will begin operating from this new berth.

For the ship passengers’ convenience, the disembarkation building includes moving walkways and lifts which will provide easy access between the terminal level and the disembarkation bridge situated 14.5 metres above ground level.

The fixed structures of the new disembarkation building have been tailored to the measurements of the fast passenger ferries, but due to the convertibility of the building, the berth can also be used by other types of vessels. The total length of the building is 40 metres, and the disembarkation bridge can be moved longitudinally from one end of the building to the other. A sliding glass wall that can be used flexibly has been installed on the side of the building that faces the sea. Sea level fluctuations can also be taken into consideration with vertical adjustments to the disembarkation bridge.

Particularly important in the planning and implementation of the disembarking building, built from steel and measuring 850m², were vehicle traffic safety and fire safety.

The disembarkation building built by the Port of Helsinki was designed by Timo Helminen of Sirén Architects, and constructed by YIT Rakennus Oy. The total cost estimate of the project is € 5 million. The new disembarkation building is a part of the development project taking place at the Helsinki West harbour over the next few years.

For more information, please contact:

Kari Noroviita, Director, Passenger harbours
Tel. +358 (0) 500 403 990

Pekka Haikonen, Construction Manager
Tel. +358 (0) 50 530 5000