Ports – Comprehensive and sustainable port services

Modern ports are optimized entities in terms of traffic, logistics, and environmental impact. Ports are transportation hubs where road, rail, and maritime traffic converge.

Climate change, increasing vessel sizes, and traffic concentration are directing transport to railways and electrifying road and machinery traffic. Alternative fuels and port electrification are also trending. New functions may have limited space, often requiring land reclamation and meticulous and safe planning of the port area.

Sweco’s comprehensive port services – Summary

1. Sweco provides diverse services for port development, including design, project management, and consulting for new projects and the development of existing infrastructure.
2. Environmental considerations: Ports significantly impact the environment, and Sweco helps implement sustainable solutions such as environmental permit applications, water permit acquisitions, and green energy solutions.
3. New propulsion methods and fuels: Marine traffic and port machinery propulsion methods are becoming cleaner, requiring new infrastructure and the use of green hydrogen. Sweco supports these changes and helps with EU funding applications.

Sweco is at the forefront of port development with experienced experts and versatile skills. Our specialists have experience with maritime organizations and port operator and port company activities. Our consultancy covers both new port projects and the development of existing infrastructure.

We assist with all port environment-related studies. We offer services at both the transportation system level and in smaller subcomponents. Additionally, we have extensive networks among authorities and industry stakeholders.

Ports and environmental responsibility

Ports have a significant impact both on the local environment and the state of the entire Baltic Sea. Ports can improve the environment through concrete actions, and Sweco helps to define and implement these measures expertly and responsibly. The energy transition is steering energy production towards more sustainable solutions, which also affects ports.

Water Construction, Water Permits, and Other Permit Applications

Sweco’s water construction professionals prepare water law-compliant water permit applications and environmental permit applications related to ports, waterways, water cables, and water management projects. They assess the necessary attachments, such as nature and environmental reports, draft responses during the permit process, and handle communication with authorities. Water permits ensure that the impacts of projects on water bodies and the environment are properly assessed and approved by authorities.

New Fuels and Energy Sources in Ports

The energy sources for maritime traffic and port machinery are evolving with the clean transition, and the change is already underway. Ports are facing high expectations from both legislation and the market. New infrastructure is needed in ports to enable the use and distribution of new fuels.

Green hydrogen enables energy storage in port areas, helping to balance the fluctuating production of renewable energy sources and ensure a continuous energy supply. Hydrogen can be used to produce methanol or ammonia as fuel in a sustainable manner. The electrification of ports often requires redesigning the entire electrical infrastructure, not forgetting questions related to space usage. Sweco can assist in finding solutions and applying for EU funding for green transition projects.