30% reduced CO2 emissions in quay work for the Skandia Gateway project

It is possible to build climate-smart in large infrastructure projects without breaking the bank. This is demonstrated by the latest figures from the quay construction in the Skandia Gateway fairway project. Here, The Port of Gothenburg’s procurement requirements for climate-smart material choices and the promotion of innovative solutions have reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 30%. The additional cost for these climate measures amounts to around 1% of the total quay construction budget.

“Looking at the benefits, the costs are small compared to the significant climate gains we achieve. Through close collaboration with NCC, we have carefully examined every aspect of construction, procurement, and working methods. By preparing a climate calculation that clearly shows the differences in choices, daring to question old ingrained methods, thinking in new ways, and constantly focusing on reducing carbon dioxide emissions, we have refined the target we set before construction started and now succeeded in reaching a 30% reduction. During the project, we have also gained a greater understanding of how our construction impacts CO2 emissions, and this knowledge can now be used to set even stricter requirements in future procurements,” says Jan Andersson, Project Manager for Skandia Gateway at The Port of Gothenburg.

On site, the team is celebrating that the Skandia Gateway project has reached an important milestone. A hearty lunch and thank-you speeches are part of the occasion.

“It is a great achievement that we have succeeded so well in reducing CO2 emissions in the project, and of course this should be celebrated with those who carry out such an important part of the work – everyone involved in the construction in Skandia Harbour. It does not matter how much we calculate and plan if we do not get the necessary help and knowledge from those who physically place piles, concrete, and sheet piling on site. This milestone celebration in September will be a tribute to everyone who has contributed, and a signal that climate-smart construction is both possible and profitable,” says Jan Andersson.

How CO2 emissions are reduced in the Skandia Gateway project:

Materials & construction:

• Material choices with lower climate impact, recycled steel instead of new, saved 15% of the entire project’s climate impact

• Optimization and minimization of constructions, for example reduction of concrete thickness

• Smaller proportion of cement – concrete with slag as a binder

• Optimized use of concrete – steel pipe piles partially filled with crushed material

• Thinner layers of coarse concrete

• More efficient sheet piling – smaller dimensions and extent

• Proposals and solutions from both officials and skilled workers on site

Machinery & transport:

• 100% HVO100 in all machinery and transports

• Electrically powered machines for piling and drilling

• Consolidated orders and planned castings with other stakeholders give fewer transports

• Larger load capacity in excavation trucks gives fewer trips

• Charging stations for electric cars on the construction site

• Return loads – bringing new material back from the landfill

• No unnecessary idling

Circular construction:

• Sorting & reuse of asphalt, steel, and rock masses between projects

• Holes in the sheet piling → less future operation & maintenance

• Reuse of masses & materials – steel piles, steel beams, asphalt, cutting waste

• Pulled-up sheet piling reused for seals

Innovative work methodology:

• Ongoing climate calculations showing decreasing emissions over time

• Efficient procurement work with CO2 as a selection criterion
  

Facts about Skandia Gateway

The Port of Gothenburg is the only port in Sweden that can receive the world’s largest vessels. But currently, they cannot call at Sweden fully loaded. To solve this problem, and thereby ensure good conditions for Swedish trade, an extensive deepening of the fairway is required. This is managed by the Skandia Gateway project, which is divided into two parts; fairway deepening and quay reinforcement.

Quay reinforcement:
The quay and terminal areas in Skandia Harbour need to be reinforced to handle the increased depth and to be able to handle two larger vessels at the same time. Gothenburg Port Authority is responsible for this part. Construction started in February 2024.

Fairway deepening:
The section of the fairway that needs to be deepened is almost five kilometers long and the dredging requirement is 9–11 million cubic meters. It will increase the maximum depth from today’s 13.5 to 16.5–17.5 meters. In addition to the deepening, the turning area outside the container terminal needs to be widened. This part is managed by the Swedish Maritime Administration, where the planned construction start is autumn 2026.

The entire Skandia Gateway project is planned to be completed around the turn of the year 2027/2028.