UN/LOCODE: EETLL📍 Estonia
Port of Tallinn (UN/LOCODE EETLL)
❖ Coordinates: 59.4300°N, 24.7300°E
❖ Time Zone: Europe/Tallinn
❖ UN/LOCODE: EETLL
## About the Port
The **Port of Tallinn** (UN/LOCODE: **EETLL**) is the principal maritime gateway of the Republic of Estonia, situated in Harjumaa county on the southern shore of the Gulf of Finland, Baltic Sea. Geographically positioned at **59.43° N, 24.73° E**, the port operates within the Europe/Tallinn timezone (UTC+2, DST UTC+3). It is a multi-function node combining cargo transshipment, ferry, cruise, and naval support operations. The complex comprises Old City Harbour, Muuga Harbour, Paljassaare Harbour, and Bekker Harbour, offering more than 60 berths with alongside depths from 6 m to 18 m. As the largest port in Estonia and one of the busiest in the Baltic Sea region, EETLL serves as a critical interface between the European Union and Nordic/Baltic markets.
According to the Port of Tallinn authority↗, the port handles over 30 million tonnes of cargo and upwards of 10 million passengers annually under normal operating conditions, underscoring its dual commercial and logistical mandate.
## History
The maritime history of Tallinn stretches back to the early medieval period. The natural harbour was first fortified by Danish crusaders in 1219, leading to the establishment of Reval (Tallinn’s German name). By the 13th century, the settlement joined the Hanseatic League, functioning as a pivotal entrepôt for timber, fish, and wool between Novgorod and Western Europe.
Under Swedish rule (1561–1710) and subsequently the Russian Empire (1710–1918), Tallinn evolved into a naval base and imperial trading post. The construction of railway lines in the 19th century linked the harbour to St Petersburg and Moscow, boosting bulk exports. Following Estonian independence in 1918, the port was nationalized and modernized with dedicated grain elevators and oil tanks.
During the Soviet era (1940–1991), the port was integrated into the USSR’s Baltic shipping system, with Muuga Harbour developed from 1980 onward as a deep-water outlet for Soviet foreign trade. After the restoration of independence, the port transitioned to market-oriented operations, joined the European Port Organisation (ESPO), and implemented ISPS-compliant security. The 2000s saw major terminal automation and cruise terminal upgrades, positioning EETLL as a modern NATO-friendly logistics hub.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Terminals and Berths
The port complex is segmented by function. **Muuga Harbour**, 17 km east of central Tallinn, is the primary cargo facility with 28 berths, including specialized terminals for containers, dry bulk (grain, fertilizers), liquid bulk (oil products, chemicals), and ro-ro. The container terminal offers 1,100 m of quay with 14.5 m depth and ship-to-shore cranes capable of handling Post-Panamax vessels. **Old City Harbour** hosts five passenger terminals (A, B, D, E, and the cruise terminal) with adjustable linkspans for ferries to Helsinki and Stockholm. **Paljassaare Harbour** handles dry bulk and project cargo, while **Bekker Harbour** supports industrial and small-vessel operations.
### Depth and Navigation
Channel depths in Muuga reach 18 m, allowing Aframax-class tankers and Panamax bulk carriers. The fairway is maintained by Estonian Transport Administration dredging, with VTS coverage from Tallinn Radio. Pilotage is mandatory for vessels >70 m LOA. The port’s geographic coordinates (59.43 N, 24.73 E) place it within the Helsinki–Tallinn T-Route, a densely trafficked lane-separation system.
### Specialized Facilities
Muuga benefits from a free zone status, offering bonded warehousing and customs deferment. Grain silos with 200,000 tonnes capacity, liquid tank farms of 1.2 million m³, and reefer points support diverse cargo. Rail connectivity via Estonian Railways (Operail) provides direct gauge links to Latvia, though current sanctions have reduced eastbound transit.
## Economic Importance
Port of Tallinn is a cornerstone of Estonian macroeconomics. Direct employment exceeds 5,000 jobs, with indirect support in logistics, tourism, and retail estimated at 15,000+ roles. The port contributes roughly 2–3% of national GDP through throughput fees, concession revenues, and induced activity. Its passenger harbours fuel cross-border labour mobility: the Tallinn–Helsinki ferry alone moves ~8 million passengers yearly, effectively binding the Finnish and Estonian economies.
Cruise tourism adds €100+ million annually, with ~300 cruise calls pre-pandemic. The cargo side underpins Estonian import/export of energy products, cereals, and machinery. As a member of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) Core Network, EETLL receives EU cohesion funding for green port initiatives, including cold-ironing and shore power at Old City Harbour.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Baltic Sea Short-Sea Routes
EETLL is integrated into the Baltic Short-Sea network. Primary liner services connect to Helsinki (FI), Stockholm (SE), Riga (LV), Gdansk (PL), and Rotterdam (NL) via feedership. The ferry corridor to Helsinki is the busiest in the EU, with crossing time ~2 hours. Muuga maintains indirect deep-sea links via transshipment in Gdansk and Hamburg.
### Main Commodities
Key export flows include refined petroleum products, wheat, barley, peat, and wooden pellets. Imports consist of crude oil, fertilizers, coal (declining), containers, and ro-ro units (cars, trailers). According to the UN/LOCODE registry↗, EETLL is classified for all cargo types except live animals in bulk. Container throughput averages 200,000–250,000 TEU yearly, while liquid bulk can exceed 15 million tonnes. The port’s strategic latitudinal position enables ice-free operation for most winters due to mild Gulf Stream influence, though icebreaker assistance is available November–April.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
EETLL
Country
Estonia
Province / Region
Harjumaa
Latitude
59.430000
Longitude
24.730000
Timezone
Europe/Tallinn
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Tallinn?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Tallinn is EETLL.
Where is Port of Tallinn located?
The Port of Tallinn is located in Estonia, Harjumaa. Its coordinates are 59.4300°N, 24.7300°E.
What time zone is Port of Tallinn in?
Port of Tallinn operates in the Europe/Tallinn time zone.
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About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
📍 Nearby Ports
Other maritime facilities geographically close to Tallinn.
Muuga
Estonia • 16 km awayHelsingfors (Helsinki)
Finland • 83 km awayHango (Hanko)
Finland • 109 km awayHaldi
Estonia • 146 km away