June 17 marks 35 years since the day when, together with Estonia’s efforts to regain its independence, an opportunity arose to strengthen historical and cultural ties with Western Europe – a regular passenger ferry service between Estonia and Sweden was restored. Over the years, more than 20 million people have travelled between Tallinn and Stockholm, confirming the importance of this route both in terms of interpersonal communication and the development of the economy and tourism.
Valdo Kalm, Chairman of the Board of the Port of Tallinn, said that June 17, 1990, was a moment of symbolic significance when the passenger ship Nord Estonia arrived in Tallinn Old City Harbour, opening the way for a direct connection between Sweden and Estonia after a long Soviet occupation. “This event marked Estonia’s path towards freedom, an open society and re-Westernization.”
Preliminary work for the reopening of the passenger ferry service began in early 1989 under the leadership of the Swedish shipping company Nordström & Thulin. One of the leaders of the initiative was Hans Laidwe, the director of the subsidiary, an Estonian expatriate, whose activities were also supported by the later Swedish Prime Minister and great friend of Estonia, Carl Bildt.
The route has had several important milestones. In January 1993, the passenger ship Estonia began sailing on the route under the Estonian flag. After the greatest peacetime maritime tragedy in the Baltic Sea in September 1994, the ship connection was restored after only a few months, which showed the firm will of both countries and people to continue cooperation. Estonia’s largest shipping company, Tallink, took over the route at the turn of the century, and the year 2004 can be considered the beginning of a new era, when the specially built ship Victoria I was brought onto the route, to which the Baltic Queen was added in 2009.
“We are constantly improving our travel and onboard services to give more and more Swedes and Estonians reasons to visit the closest capitals as the crow flies – Tallinn and Stockholm. Sweden and Estonia are socially close and economically closely intertwined, and the direct route on the Baltic Sea is of great importance to Tallink Silja Line. We hope that awareness and interest in traveling between the two countries will only increase over time,” said Piret Mürk-Dubout, Member of the Management Board of Tallink Grupp.
In 2024, 563 thousand passengers traveled on the Tallinn-Stockholm route, which was 4.8% more than the previous year. Tallink served the route year-round with the Baltic Queen and added a second ship – Victoria I – during the summer. Of the passengers on the Tallinn-Stockholm route, 37% were Estonian and 32% Swedish, and in terms of age, the route was popular especially among schoolchildren in both countries. In 2025, the Baltic Queen will sail between Tallinn and Stockholm every other day.
“The Tallinn–Stockholm passenger ferry route is more than just a transport connection – it is a symbol of the enduring friendship, mutual trust and cooperation between Estonia and Sweden. Sweden sincerely supported Estonia both on its path to independence and on its path to joining the European Union and NATO. Today, we are bound by close economic cooperation, shared values and interpersonal ties, in which the regular ferry connection has played an invaluable role,” noted Valdo Kalm.
The 35th anniversary is a statement of gratitude to everyone who has contributed to the birth and maintenance of this connection – from shipowners and sailors to passengers and cooperation partners.
(Source: https://www.ts.ee/tallinn-stockholm-reisilaevaliin-tahistab-35-aastapaeva/)
