Gothenburg, Rotterdam and Ghent open green corridors for shipping

Intercity/international cooperationNews

The Port of Gothenburg announced plans to establish low-emission shipping corridors to Rotterdam and Ghent as part of a regional initiative. The city has been pursuing environmental initiatives independently under Mayor of Gothenburg Axel Josefson.

The Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping and leading ports in Northern Europe launched the environmental initiative earlier this year, stressing the importance of setting up green corridors.

Gothenburg Port Authority CEO Elvir Dzanic pointed out “as one of the world’s most sustainable ports for many years, we are happy to share and spread our experience.” He added that the port is prepared to cooperate on green initiatives with other ports to decarbonise shipping.

Dzanic reminded that maritime traffic between Gothenburg and Gent has been an import part of trade between Scandinavia and Central Europe since the 1990s. “Its significance just keeps on growing as these are major volumes of goods that will now get a significantly reduced climate footprint,” he concluded.

According to the deal with Rotterdam, the two ports will adopt a common framework to stimulate the use of fuels with lower emissions. In addition, the corridor is to be connected to a broader network of maritime corridors.

Rotterdam previously inked an agreement with its counterpart in Singapore to set up a long-distance green corridor, as well as launched the first barge-to-ship methanol bunkering operation as part of its green transition plans.

(Photo credit: Andy Li / Unsplash)