The port of Muuga, adjacent to the Estonian capital of Tallinn, is ready to handle this year’s grain harvest with renewed and modernised facilities. Terminal operator HHLA TK Estonia, a subsidiary of Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG, recently expanded its facilities there. The company has added three newly built warehouse sections, and significantly updated its automatic entry and scale systems.

Handling Estonia’s primary bulk export commodities

HHLA is reflecting on its successful operations in Estonia’s largest port, by installing its own on-site energy generation system. In line with HHLA TK Estonia’s commitment to sustainability, the new facilities include three solar parks installed on warehouse roofs, with a combined capacity of 310 kW peak. According to the company, this renewable energy integration ensures that a significant portion of the loading operations is conducted with minimal greenhouse gas emissions.

“We are proud to offer environmentally friendly solutions for handling Estonia’s primary bulk export commodities, including grain, pellets, and organic grain,” said Andres Uusoja, Chief Commercial Officer of HHLA TK Estonia. “Our customers increasingly value sustainable practices, and our new facilities are designed to meet these expectations.”

Rail Baltica will serve Muuga

The terminal at Muuga is now served by 86,500 m² of specialised covered storage halls, and extensive open storage areas. This expansion allows the facility to handle up to 500,000 tons of bulk cargo annually. Muuga opens on to the south shore of the Gulf of Finland. It is an extensive port facility, served by road and railway yards. The port is a key part of the Baltic logistics sector. The rail operations are being integrated into the massive “Rail Baltica” project, which will see passenger and freight operations in the three Baltic states become better integrated into the wider European rail network.

Rail Baltica should reach Muuga before the entire line is opened in 2030. The benefits of the rail project will undoubtedly be in mind for HHLA TK Estonia. Building a railway to the European “standard gauge” (where the rails are 1435mm apart) will allow easier trade with Western Europe. The rail system in the Baltic States is otherwise built to the Russian gauge (1520mm), as an obvious legacy of controlled trade within the USSR.

Digital systems, solar panels and that hybrid crane

Wider trade options are behind the developments, ostensibly ushered in for this grain harvest season. HHLA TK Estonia says that they have installed innovative and sustainable solutions for bulk handling and warehousing, but they have also significantly increased their ability to tranship bulk goods within the port complex. “The new bulk cargo terminal concept integrates state-of-the-art storage solutions, digital innovations, and advanced loading equipment featuring dual power technology,” said their statement.

HHLA highlights the installation of an impressive mobile hydrocrane Mantsinen 120 DER, which can handle up to 620 tons of bulk cargo per hour. “This crane is the first of its kind in the Baltics, equipped with both electric motors and a diesel engine, promoting operational flexibility and efficiency,” says HHLA. “With these enhancements, HHLA TK Estonia is well-equipped to support the region’s agricultural sector and contribute to a greener, more efficient supply chain.”

HHLA bought into the port operations at Muuga in 2018, when it acquired Estonia’s biggest terminal operator Transiidikeskuse AS.