Tallink Grupp posts sharp decline in Q1 traffic; retail upgrades boost Baltic Princess

ESTONIA. Leading cruise-ferry and travel retail company Tallink Grupp has said economic weakness and low consumer confidence in the Baltic region contributed to a -12% year-on-year decline in passenger traffic in the first three months of 2025.

Passenger volumes reached 970,359, with the numbers also influenced by the removal from service of cruise ferries Silja Serenade and Baltic Princess for a period in the quarter.

The Baltic Princess has now returned to operations with an upgraded shopping area featuring improved accessibility between shops.

The Tax-Free shop now features self-service checkouts and a new tasting area for showcasing products and promotions. The beauty shop now has two spacious entrances and a more open connection to the gifts & kids store.

Of the Q1 performance, CEO Paavo Nõgene said: “In addition to the usual seasonality, the first-quarter passenger numbers reflect the state of the economies in our core markets. Consumer confidence remains low. Four vessels were out of service, and large-scale dry-docking had an impact on passenger numbers. A significant factor was also the timing of Easter, which fell in March last year and resulted in tens of thousands more passengers during the same period.”

In related news, Tallink Grupp has signed a Memorandum of Agreement to sell passenger ferry Star I to Irish company Irish Continental Group. The vessel, which has been operating on the Paldiski-Kapellskär route, will be replaced by Superfast IX.