New-look port hires new VP Passenger Services

Port of Helsinki management have hired Kaj Takolander as vice-president of Passenger Services. He is also now a member of the port’s management team.

Takolander has moved from Viking Line, where he was sales director, having risen through the ranks from head of Sales and Marketing with the company.

Before Viking Line, Takolander was head of Passenger Services at Finnlines.

“The Port of Helsinki is the busiest passenger harbour in Europe, and it is facing major developments that will be complex and challenging,” said Takolander. “In this position, I get to make an impact for the future. Nothing could be more exciting and inspiring.”

Takolander will have his hands full in passenger services as the Port of Helsinki in January 2022 started a major development programme alongside the city itself, whcih involves changing operations at four harbours at the port.

At the moment, pasenger traffic from Tallin and Stockholm is split between two of the port’s four West, South, Katajanooka and Vuosaari harbours.

The project aims to centralise port operations so that all passenger and vehicle traffic from Tallin, in Estonia, will be dealt with at the West Harbour and all Stockholm traffic will go through the Katajanokka terminal. Vuosaari Harbour is to be developed for cargo traffic, the Port says.

The size of the harbour area in the South Harbour will be reduced, allowing the city of Helsinki to develop the area, which will include a harbour tunnel connecting the Wet Harbour with Länsiväylä.

Kaj Takolander’s position involves intense participation in the Port’s Development Programme 2030, which will lead to functions and traffic being rearranged in the city centre. He will begin his new position in May.