The Port of Gothenburg announced record numbers for containers in November.
Reports from the Gothenburg Port Authority show successful numbers for a very unprecedented year as the COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on ports around the world. Despite this, the Port of Gothenburg has been able to remain open throughout, with systems in place to ensure the volume of freight passing through the port is increased sustainably.
“The latest report shows a 7% increase in cargo volumes from January to November, the highest number since 2015. The November figures also show that 74,250 TEUs were handled, the highest November figure ever at the Port of Gothenburg.” Elvir Dzanek, CEO of the Gothenburg Port Authority.
In other recent news, on December 12, the port was used as an emergency port for the first time in its modern history, as a bulk carrier laden with timber caught fire. After seven days at anchor, the ship finally docked, and the fire could be brought under control. Normal port operations continued as usual throughout this process.
“No port wants a ship burning in its midst, but once the decision was made, we mobilized all our resources to help it berth. We also knew that if any port was equipped to meet this challenge it was the Port of Gothenburg,” Dzanick continued.
Furthermore, as the year draws to a close, the Port of Gothenburg has outlined its key milestones for 2021, dividing them into three separate categories – growth, environment, and digitalisation.
growth
- Continuing growth in volume and securing more shares in the market.
- Introduction of new rail buses to destinations including Piteå and Malungsfors in northern Sweden, and an increase in the number of departures for existing shuttles.
- New services, including Hoegh Autoliners service to South Africa, Australia and Asia, Sea-Cargo service to Poland and Norway, Wallenius Wilhelmsen service to the west coast of North America, and X-Press Feeders container service to Hamburg.
- Historically high turnover, the Gothenburg Port Authority has provided a stable and predictable result to its owner, the City of Gothenburg.
- A joint venture with real estate partner Castellum to further develop warehousing property in Sweden’s best logistics location.
- Additional land purchases to expand overseas port operations.
environment
- 600 million kronor ($65 million) is earmarked for carbon mitigation.
- Transero Initiative. Working in partnership with Scania, the Volvo Group and Stena Line, the Port of Gothenburg seeks to accelerate the transition to fossil-free fuels on land and at sea in the Gothenburg region.
- Continuing investments in rail transport, which now has reached more than 60% in container side.
- Work has begun to enable hydrogen production at the port with Norwegian energy company Statkraft.
Digitization
- Development and application of PortOptimizer Track & Trace, a new digital tool to monitor freight in real time as it moves through the system.
- Development and deployment of Berth Planner, a new digital pier planning tool to ensure smart and secure calls in the Port of Gothenburg.
- Creation of projects and innovation portfolios.
