If Gothenburg, Sweden, the EU, and the world are to meet the climate challenges facing the transport industry and shipping, local initiatives are required alongside international collaboration. The Port of Gothenburg has emerged as a driving force in the move towards greener shipping within the EU.
Port of Gothenburg freight volumes are continuing to rise in several segments. During the first half of 2020, containerised units rose by 4% and energy products by 22%. This despite the current Covid-19 pandemic, and while virtually all larger ports in Europe and the world show negative results.
On 31 July, the shipping company CMA CGM launched a new container service, adding a new link between Gothenburg and Hamburg. The new service includes calls at Gothenburg every Friday, initially using a vessel with a capacity of over 1,000 TEUs.
A completely new transshipment terminal, located between the Port of Gothenburg container and ro-ro terminals, is gradually emerging. The terminal will receive incoming forest products by rail from Swedish mills and then transfer the products to containers for onward transport to various parts of the world. Volumes equivalent to 60,000-100,000 TEU:s will be handled at the terminal each year.
Gothenburg and Sweden could be the first in the world to create a joint infrastructure for the transport of liquefied carbon dioxide extracted using CCS technology. The project – CinfraCap – is a unique collaborative venture between Göteborg Energi, Nordion Energi, Preem, St1, Renova, and Gothenburg Port Authority.
The Port of Gothenburg has been in operation for 400 years and has a pivotal role to play in the success of Swedish industry. The port is stepping up the pace with an even more consistent focus on sustainability.
Exactly 400 years ago, in 1620, Stora Hamnkanalen, the canal in what is now the centre of Gothenburg, was created. It was also the year when the Port of Gothenburg came into being. To celebrate this momentous occasion – although on a more modest scale in the light of the prevailing Covid-19 situation – employees gathered at the historic Amerikaskjulet building at Stigbergskajen.
The Covid-19 pandemic has had a shattering impact in many sectors throughout the world, including the automotive industry. Although vehicle handling at the Port of Gothenburg has been largely affected, there are already signs of a recovery. Logent Ports and Terminals, which mainly handles transocean vehicle volumes, have also been able to broaden its customer offering.
More than 150 critically endangered eels have been rescued from a lagoon and moved to open water in Gothenburg’s southern archipelago. The eels got trapped during construction of a new terminal at the Port of Gothenburg – the largest development project at the port for over 40 years.
Ports throughout Europe have been hit hard by the current Covid-19 pandemic. This can be seen clearly in the recently published volume statistics from Europe’s largest ports. They are also feeling the knock-on effect of cancelled calls – in many cases up to 30 per cent. In contrast, the Port of Gothenburg has increased its container volume, there have been no cancelled calls, and none are planned.
The Port of Gothenburg, in line with the rest of Sweden, remains open despite the coronavirus pandemic. The most recent operating results are positive and show that freight volumes have remained high through the first quarter of the year. This is revealed in the Port of Gothenburg’s new freight volume report.
In line with the rest of Sweden, the largest port in Scandinavia has remained open despite the coronavirus pandemic - and freight volumes have remained high through the first quarter of the year. This is revealed in the Port of Gothenburg’s new freight volume report.