High-speed catamaran service to Tallinn to pick up later this week

Shipping lines planning to raise prices

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The catamaran service between Helsinki and Tallinn began on Saturday when Nordic Jet Line opened up the season with its fast catamaran HSC Baltic Jet. Other car ferry lines will follow later this or next week, depending on the ice conditions in the Gulf of Finland.
      Apart from the ice conditions, passenger shipping lines have been carefully observing the increase in oil prices in the course of this spring.
     
The current price of fuel is so high that it seems bound to lead to rises in ticket prices.
      Car ferry operator Tallink already reports an increase of two euros in their ticket prices. Other ferry lines are expected to announce similar rises soon.
      Prior to the new price increases, a one-way ticket on the regular route Helsinki-Tallinn costs approximately EUR 20 depending on the ferry operator and the departure.
     
Regardless of the increasing fares, shipping companies expect a busy season. Particularly scheduled departures are believed to gain in popularity.
      Both Silja Line and Tallink are to launch one new fast ferry on the Helsinki-Tallinn route. The new vessels will accommodate about 600 passengers each.
      The new catamarans will operate over the period of high season or from the end of June until the end of August. During that period, a total of 11 fast ferries will be sailing daily between Helsinki and Tallinn.
     
The summer season will pick up in May, even though for example Nordic Jet Line's two vessels will both be in service already from next Saturday on. However, spring services are always uncertain compared with the summer. This was proved last weekend when Nordic Jet Line was forced to cancel some crossings because of fog.


Links:
  Nordic Jet Line: Service has started.
  Tallink: Season 2005 will begin on Thursday, April 14th.
  Silja Line: Season 2005 will begin on Thursday, April 14th.
  Linda Line Express: Season 2005 will begin on Friday, April 22nd.

Helsingin Sanomat