Restricting the rise of the average temperature of the earth through cutting carbon dioxide emissions is the shared global goal of humanity. The Port of Helsinki is committed, together with its owner, the City of Helsinki, to realizing a low-carbon Helsinki.

• The Port encourages the companies serving and operating in the port areas to reduce their CO2 emissions. 
• The Port of Helsinki promotes low-carbon maritime traffic at its harbours by encouraging visiting vessels to reduce their CO2 emissions. 
• The Port of Helsinki minimized its own carbon dioxide emissions by 2025. 

Carbon-neutral Port of Helsinki Programme

Targets and measures to achieve them:

A 25% reduction in vessel emissions by the year 2030.
›    Shore power capabilities for several berths
›    Making alternative fuels available at Helsinki ports
›    The continued development of an environmental programme targeted at ships

A 60% reduction in emissions from heavy goods vehicles by 2030.
›    Minimising the use of transport vehicles at ports
›    Introducing incentives to use low-emission vehicles

A 60% reduction in emissions from work machines used in the harbour area by 2030.
›    Enabling the electrification of work machine infrastructure
›    Encouraging the use of biofuels

At the beginning of 2025, the Port of Helsinki was able to reduce the emissions of its own operations to a minimum.
›    Minimising the Port’s energy consumption by modernising heating, heat pump technology, installing LED lighting, and increasing the use of solar panels.
›    Acquiring necessary energy from carbon-free sources 
›    Helping to lower subcontractors’ carbon footprints via procurement
›    The port acquires voluntary emission credits from Finnish afforestation projects equal to the remaining emissions (5.8% of the reference year’s emissions).

Low-carbon port areas

Our aim is to minimise the CO2 emissions in our port areas. Carbon dioxide emissions are caused by vessels, work machines, heavy traffic and the Port’s own operations. 

Onshore power supply systems built at the port and on vessels make it possible to reduce the climate emissions generated while ships are berthed by as much as 80 per cent, as the ships receive the electricity they need while at berth from land, and there is no need to keep auxiliary engines running. The use of onshore power supply improves air quality and reduces noise in the city centre close to the port. In Helsinki, onshore power supply is available on two separate quays in Katajanokka, as well as on the Olympia Terminal side starting from 2021.

Low-carbon maritime traffic at the Port

The ship traffic arriving at and departing from the port area in Helsinki causes approximately 80% of the total annual carbon dioxide emissions in the port area. Therefore, reducing these emissions is crucial for the Port’s climate goals.

The carbon footprint of the Port’s own operations

Emissions generated by Port of Helsinki Ltd itself account for only a small proportion of the carbon dioxide emissions of the Port, but they are the easiest for us to influence. We have reduced our own energy consumption considerably and we acquire the remaining energy required from carbon-neutral energy sources. Carbon offset is the last option: we acquire voluntary emission credits from Finnish afforestation projects.

The energy used to maintain the Port’s properties is reduced by means such as switching to LED lighting.

Emission compensation is the last option in the pursuit of carbon neutrality.