The Port of Helsinki is embarking on a transformative development program aimed at optimizing operations and enhancing the city’s waterfront. As part of this initiative, the West Harbor development project is a multi-faceted effort that includes the construction of a harbor tunnel, the renewal of quay and yard areas, and the creation of a new passenger terminal. To ensure the highest standards of safety, quality, and environmental management, the Port has chosen Congrid to manage these critical processes.
A unified tool for complex projects
Given the scale and complexity of the West Harbor development project, a centralized system for safety and quality management was essential. According to Ville Kurunsaari, Safety Coordinator for the West Harbor project, Congrid stood out as the ideal solution.
“The West harbor development project at the Port of Helsinki required a comprehensive tool for safety and quality management, both in terms of quality and cost-effectiveness”, says Ville Kurunsaari, safety coordinator for the West Harbor development project.
“For this project, it is important to use the same tool across all subprojects to ensure more efficient overall safety and quality management. Key characteristics of the project include its duration, scope, and the high standards for effective safety and quality leadership. Based on these factors, we decided to conduct a competitive tendering process, which ultimately led us to choose the Congrid system,” Ville Kurunsaari explains.
Supporting large-scale projects with organized data
Congrid’s robust data management capabilities were a decisive factor in its selection. For infrastructure projects of this magnitude, organized and actionable data is critical to ensuring smooth operations and meeting project objectives.
“With such a vast amount of information, extracting the essential data to support project management is key,” says Timo Makkonen, Country Manager for SmartCraft in Finland. “From day one, Congrid has focused on helping our clients organize and utilize data effectively. We’re honored to play a role in a project as socially significant as this one.”
A development program shaping helsinki’s future
The West Harbor development project is a key component of the Port of Helsinki’s broader vision to centralize Tallinn-bound passenger ferry traffic at Länsisatama and Stockholm-bound traffic at Katajanokka. These changes will free up Eteläsatama for public use, with plans for a waterfront trail connecting Kauppatori to Kaivopuisto and a new architecture and design museum to enrich the area.
The renovations at West Harbor involve three major subprojects:
- A harbor tunnel, a two-way traffic route connecting the port to Länsiväylä, ensuring smooth and uninterrupted traffic flow. The tunnel will handle all heavy traffic, enabling increased capacity and consolidating Tallinn-bound ferry traffic at Länsisatama.
- The renewal of quay and yard areas, including land reclamation and construction of new port facilities to enhance operational efficiency.
- A new passenger terminal, replacing the aging West Terminal 1, which is scheduled for demolition in 2025. The modern terminal will serve ferry passengers while also benefiting local residents and stakeholders.
Proven success in infrastructure projects
The West Harbor development is not the first major infrastructure project in Helsinki to benefit from Congrid. The system was previously used in the second phase of the Western Metro extension, involving nearly 1 000 users and over 100 000 observation photos. This highlights Congrid’s ability to support extensive and complex projects with advanced functionality and user-friendly tools.
Setting the standard for safety and quality
The Port of Helsinki’s development project will not only enhance operational efficiency but also contribute to creating a more connected and vibrant city for residents and visitors alike. With its track record of success and commitment to innovation, Congrid continues to set the benchmark for quality, safety, and environmental management in the construction and infrastructure sectors.
For further queries, please contact:
Gustav Line, CEO SmartCraft
Email: gustav.line@smartcraft.com
Phone: +47 952 67 104
