The Port of Kemi, the northernmost cruise port in the Baltic Sea and the only cruise harbour in Finnish Lapland, is positioning itself as a flexible option for cruise lines developing Northern European and Arctic itineraries.
Located on the island of Ajos, ~15 minutes from Kemi’s city centre, the port provides relatively short transfer times and straightforward passenger logistics. Its location also gives cruise passengers direct access to Sea Lapland and the wider Lapland region, supporting both summer and winter cruise programmes.
Cruise traffic to Kemi has increased in recent years, with growing interest from expedition, luxury and boutique cruise operators. The port is scheduled to receive 10 cruise calls and ~7,000 passengers this year. Plantours and Oceania Cruises are among the operators making maiden calls, while Hanseatic is scheduled to visit on September 26th. The figures compare with four calls and ~2,000 passengers in 2022, and 7 calls with ~4,800 passengers in 2024.
The port has 6 berths ranging from 160 metres at Berth 6 to 420 metres at Berth 7. Water depths range from 9.1 metres at Berths 4 and 5 to 13.5 metres at Berth 7, allowing Kemi to accommodate a broad range of vessels. Berth 7 also offers LNG and biofuel bunkering capabilities. Kemi does not currently have a permanent dedicated cruise terminal.
Quay infrastructure is continuously maintained and developed to serve both cargo and cruise operations. The port is fully ISPS-compliant and provides vessel waste reception services in accordance with Finnish and international environmental regulations.
Environmental management is a significant component of the port’s operations. Its management systems are certified under ISO 9001 for quality management, ISO 14001 for environmental management and ISO 45001 for occupational health and safety.
Located within the sensitive ecosystem of the northern Gulf of Bothnia, the Port of Kemi places particular emphasis on sustainable operations, energy efficiency, waste recycling and environmental awareness. The region’s changing coastline caused by post-glacial land uplift, the low salinity of the seawater and the sensitivity of northern ecosystems create specific operating conditions that the port aims to preserve.
According to Ritva Torikka, development director at the Port of Kemi, the port’s objective is to maintain high-quality services while taking environmental considerations into account. She noted that the organisation continuously monitors and develops its activities and operational systems while adhering to applicable legislation and regulatory requirements.
Torikka also highlighted occupational health and safety as an integral part of port operations, with an emphasis on accident prevention. She added that the port’s environmental management standards are intended not only to minimise the environmental effects of its activities but also to increase environmental awareness among employees, stakeholders and other interest groups.
Kemi’s position provides cruise operators with access to the distinctive landscapes and attractions of Finnish Lapland throughout the year. As interest in northern cruise routes increases, the port is seeking to establish itself as a maritime gateway to a region more commonly associated with inland Arctic tourism.
The seasonal contrasts are particularly pronounced. During the winter, Kemi experiences kaamos, or the polar night, when limited daylight creates prolonged periods of blue twilight. One of the region’s principal attractions is the Icebreaker Sampo, which offers visitors an opportunity to experience the frozen waters of the Gulf of Bothnia and the Arctic environment.
In summer, the Midnight Sun keeps the northern sky illuminated for much of the day and night. The extended daylight creates opportunities for walks, island excursions and activities along the coast. Together, the winter and summer seasons give Kemi the potential to support cruise itineraries built around different aspects of the Arctic environment.
With its northern location, developing cruise traffic and access to Lapland, the Port of Kemi is positioning itself as a potential anchor point for seasonal, expedition and Arctic-focused itineraries in the Baltic and Northern Europe.