Tallink extends ferry journey times to cut fuel costs

Estonian ferry operator Tallink Grupp has adjusted timetables on several routes, extending some journey times by up to 45 minutes as it seeks to reduce fuel consumption amid rising energy prices, the company has said.

The move is part of a wider effort by the listed company to manage higher operating costs linked to volatile global fuel markets, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Mēlis Kompuss, Tallink’s communications director, said the company was continuously reviewing ways to reduce unnecessary fuel use, including optimising routes based on wind direction, wind strength and seasonal ice conditions.

“This is an ongoing process,” he said, adding that the recent spike in fuel prices had made efficiency measures more urgent than before.

According to published schedules, some voyages have been extended as a result of the changes, although the company expects the impact on passengers to remain limited. Not all routes are affected.

Tallink said high-speed ferries operating between Tallinn and Helsinki would continue on their usual timetables without changes.

However, cruise vessels, where scheduling is more flexible, will see journey times extended by between 15 and 45 minutes, depending on the route. Affected ships include Baltic Queen, Baltic Princess, Silja Symphony, Silja Serenade and Victoria I.

Kompuss said the longer journey times would contribute to meaningful fuel savings, helping the company maintain service sustainability.

“Fuel costs have added millions of euros in additional expenses,” he said, noting that as a publicly listed company, detailed financial updates would be provided in line with its reporting calendar.

By Aghakazim Guliyev