Ports and waterways are integral components of the maritime transport system, facilitating global trade and logistics. Governments, ports, and service providers levy charges on vessels for the use of fairways, port access, and associated services. This study analyzes the port and fairway fee strategies of seven major Baltic Sea ports across four countries: Estonia (Tallinn and Sillamäe), Latvia (Riga and Ventspils), Finland (Helsinki and HaminaKotka), and Sweden (Stockholm). The analysis evaluates the application of general port pricing principles in these ports’ strategies. The findings reveal that port fees are predominantly value-based, with tariff rates varying by vessel type and cargo. However, no uniform structure exists for fairway fees. Notably, incorporating environmental components into fairway fee calculations emerges as a promising mechanism to promote sustainability in maritime transport. By incentivizing the adoption of environmentally friendly vessels through differentiated fee structures, ports and policymakers can accelerate the transition toward greener shipping practices. This study highlights the role of economic instruments in advancing environmental objectives and emphasizes the need for a harmonized, sustainability-driven approach to fairway and port pricing in the Baltic Sea region.

Ports and waterways are integral components of the maritime transport system, facilitating global trade and logistics. Governments, ports, and service providers levy charges on vessels for the use of fairways, port access, and associated services. This study analyzes the port and fairway fee strategies of seven major Baltic Sea ports across four countries: Estonia (Tallinn and Sillamäe), Latvia (Riga and Ventspils), Finland (Helsinki and HaminaKotka), and Sweden (Stockholm). The analysis evaluates the application of general port pricing principles in these ports' strategies. The findings reveal that port fees are predominantly value-based, with tariff rates varying by vessel type and cargo. However, no uniform structure exists for fairway fees. Notably, incorporating environmental components into fairway fee calculations emerges as a promising mechanism to promote sustainability in maritime transport. By incentivizing the adoption of environmentally friendly vessels through differentiated fee structures, ports and policymakers can accelerate the transition toward greener shipping practices. This study highlights the role of economic instruments in advancing environmental objectives and emphasizes the need for a harmonized, sustainability-driven approach to fairway and port pricing in the Baltic Sea region.

The maritime connections are vital to success of islands. Estonia has 19 permanently habited islands with at least five inhabitants. 16 of those are considered as small islands with an area below 100 km2. Their sea connections are secured (i.e. organized, financed) by the government or municipality. These small islands are very diverse - in terms of population, economic activity, infrastructure capacity and needs, etc. In this study, we have analyzed ten connections to seven Estonian small islands based on seven criteria. The criteria are as follows: passenger and vehicle volumes, frequency, reliability, speed and time, vessel suitability, harbours and transport access to the harbours from the landside. Thereafter, we have classified the connections to islands to four levels: (i) daily, (ii) scheduled, (iii) invitation-only and (iv) tourism. Finally, we raised several actions to improve the connections based on the defined service levels. This article addresses the problem of small island communities, the criteria that influence service, proposes service levels and scenarios and the tools for decision-makers to better organise the connections to island communities and to serve local residents and business as well as tourism. Keywords: small islands, connectivity, sustainability, connection service levels, adequate resources.