Tallinn Seaport

a commercial port on the southern shore of Tallinn Bay. It is the home port of the Estonian Steamship Line.

The port was established in 1219, when the city of Tallinn was captured by the Danes. The construction of a direct railroad link with St. Petersburg in 1870 facilitated the port’s growth. Between 1881 and 1904 new stone quays, the Northern and Eastern breakwaters, and new basins were built. The Western Pier was reconstructed during this period. The port lost its importance after World War I as a result of the disruption of economic relations with Russia.

During the Great Patriotic War of 1941–45, all the hydraulic engineering installations and buildings were destroyed. Reconstruction began after the war was over. Between 1953 and 1965 new moorings and warehouses were built, and old ones were modernized. A great amount of hoisting and conveying equipment was installed.

In 1975 the port handled almost 4.5 million tons of cargo. Cargoes loaded and unloaded here include bulk freight, such as coal; general freight, such as cotton, paper, machines, cement, and sugar; and liquid chemical cargoes. Manufactured goods and food products are shipped to the Moonsund, or West Estonian, Archipelago, where they are received at the ports of Roomas-saare, Kuivastu, and Heltermaa.

More than 1,900 Soviet and foreign ships enter Tallinn Seaport each year. It is a point of origin for international lines to ports of northern Europe, Africa, and the Mediterranean Sea. A passenger line operates between Tallinn Seaport and the port of Helsinki. As of 1975, about 90 percent of all cargo handling was carried out by mechanized means. The port has a passenger terminal.

Tallinn Seaport was awarded the Order of the Badge of Honor in 1971.

V. V. PONIATOVSKII