Building the future of Helsinki through complex marine infrastructure

At West Harbour in Helsinki, a major infrastructure project is taking shape that will strengthen one of Finland's most important transportation hubs for decades to come.

We are delivering the Southern tip of the West Harbour expansion, a key part of the ongoing development of Helsinki’s port areas and the city’s long-term growth strategy. Through our work, we are helping to strengthen Helsinki’s position as Europe’s busiest passenger port and enable smoother passenger and freight traffic between Helsinki and Tallinn.

The project is about much more than creating new yard space or extending a quay. It demonstrates how careful planning, technical expertise, and effective collaboration make it possible to deliver complex infrastructure in a busy operating port. Throughout construction, the port remains fully operational, creating unique requirements for planning, logistics, and execution.

Building under challenging conditions

The expansion is being built seaward through a large-scale marine fill structure. The work includes dredging, marine fills, quay construction, technical infrastructure, and the slip-forming and installation of massive concrete elements.

Building in a marine environment requires specialized expertise. Progress is influenced by weather conditions, strong winds, and during the winter months, ice conditions. At the same time, construction takes place adjacent to an active port handling daily passenger and freight traffic, highlighting the importance of safety, detailed planning, and close collaboration among all project stakeholders.

One of the most impressive phases of the project has been the production of the large quay elements. A total of 67 elements were manufactured for the expansion, weighing approximately 80 tons and more than 230 tons each. Producing these structures required strong expertise in demanding slip-form casting, with concrete placement continuing uninterrupted for several days at a time.

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Building solutions that keep port operations moving

The expansion will help meet the growing demands of passenger and freight traffic while supporting the Port of Helsinki's long-term development as part of the city's evolving transportation network.

Passenger and cargo operations must continue with minimal disruption throughout construction. Achieving this requires careful phasing, strong project management, and continuous cooperation with the port's operators and other stakeholders.

The impact of the West Harbour expansion will be felt far beyond the port itself. The project forms part of a broader development program designed to improve transportation efficiency and strengthen Helsinki's role as an internationally connected maritime city.

Once completed, all traffic to Tallinn will be concentrated in Jätkäsaari, and annual passenger volumes are expected to increase from approximately 5.5 million to 7.5 million travelers. At the same time, port capacity and traffic arrangements will be enhanced to better meet future demands.

The West Harbour expansion demonstrates that even the most challenging infrastructure projects can be successfully delivered in the heart of a functioning city and a busy transportation environment. The result is long-lasting infrastructure that will serve both customers and residents for decades to come.