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A carbon-neutral port

Restricting the rise of the average temperature of the earth through cutting carbon dioxide emissions is the shared global goal of humanity. Together with its owner, City of Helsinki, the Port of Helsinki is committed to implementing the Carbon-neutral Helsinki action plan. 

Reaching the Carbon-neutral Port goal requires cooperation between all operators at the Port.

  • 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 aims for carbon neutrality in its own operations by 2035. 

The Port of Helsinki is making progress towards the goal in accordance with the guidelines of the Carbon-Neutral Port of Helsinki 2035 manifesto.

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. 

The use of onshore power supply systems reduces the air emissions from vessels and reduces the noise levels.

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 50–80 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 goal of the Carbon-neutral Port 2035 programme is to reduce vessel emissions by a total of 25% by 2035. Progress towards the goal is made

  • by building onshore power supply connections at berths
  • by making alternative fuels available in the different parts of the port, and
  • through an environmental discount programme for vessels in liner traffic.

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. Our goal is to reduce our own energy consumption considerably and acquire the remaining energy required from carbon-neutral energy sources. Carbon offset is the last option on the route to carbon neutrality.

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

The majority of the company’s energy consumption is caused by area lighting and heating of properties. Energy consumption is further reduced by 

  • switching to LED lighting, 
  • streamlining heat recycling and recovery, 
  • improving the resource efficiency of the properties, 
  • increasing the retention of solar power by the Port and 
  • utilising sea water more efficiently in cooling and heating, for example.  

Most of the planned emission reducing measures will be implemented by 2026.