The Port of Tallinn and the Ports of Stockholm have penned a memorandum of understanding aimed at promoting sustainable and fossil fuel-free maritime activities between Estonia and Sweden.
One of the Collaboration's goals is to install onshore power supply stations in Tallinn's Paldiski South Harbour and in Stockholm's Kapellskär by 2030.
The Port of Tallinn also plans to transition to CO2 emission-free heating and electricity systems at the D-Terminal in Old City Harbour in the Estonian capital and in Paldiski, as well as to deploy photovoltaic (PV) systems, LED lighting, and other green energy sources.
The Ports of Stockholm are, in turn, exploring opportunities for more PV installations in Värtahamnen in Sweden's stateheart and in Kapellskär, plus scrutinising the possibilities to provide fast-charging options for buses, trucks, and other heavy-duty vehicles in the port areas.
Tallinn also aims to increase the proportion of ship-generated waste directed to recycling through improved sorting and handling, while Stockholm is developing solutions for the separate offloading and processing of food waste to produce biogas and reduce hydrogen sulphide levels in sewage treatment systems. The partners will also assess possibilities for reusing treated grey water (e.g., for quay flushing).
Lastly, the two will continue their port machinery parks' transition to energy-efficient, zero-emission fleets.
"This partnership provides both ports with a strategic advantage, making us more attractive to shipowners, passengers, and cargo operators who are looking for sustainable travel and transport solutions. It also opens up opportunities for developing new business models in fossil fuel-free maritime transport, for joint scientific and applied studies, and for applying for EU and other funding programmes," commented Valdo Kalm, CEO of the Port of Tallinn.
He furthered, "We have already made significant progress with our FIN-EST Green Corridor initiative together with the Port of Helsinki and ferry companies, and we are very pleased to extend that valuable experience now to our collaboration with the Ports of Stockholm."
Magdalena Bosson, Kalm's counterpart at the Ports of Stockholm, also highlighted, "Sweden and Estonia share the same sea and the same responsibility to protect it. By working together, we can accelerate the green transition across the Baltic Sea region and make maritime transport cleaner and more efficient."
Photo: Port of Tallinn