Helsinki Court Rules in Finnlines’ Favor

Helsinki District Court has ordered State of Finland to refund shipping company Finnlines Plc the fairway dues totaling about EUR 17.0 million including interest.

According to the ruling, the Finnish Act on Fairway Dues in force until 1 January 2006  has contained provisions which according to EU law were discriminatory. As a result, the company has been charged excessive fairway dues during 2001-2004.

If the judgment becomes final, it will affect Finnlines’ financial statements for 2015 positively with about EUR 16.5 million, the company said.

Fifty-two other shipping companies, both from Finland and abroad, filed claims for excessive dues and will be compensated a total of $ 100 from the state.