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  • 2008 October 24

    Port of Geteborg: railway is the thing of the future

    Geteborg is the largest port in the North Europe. Its annual throughput makes some 40 million tonnes of cargo with the majority of it falling on crude and oil products including Russian export. Geteborg is also a larger container handling center. Cecilia Carlsson, media relations officer of the Port of Geteborg tells PortNews IAA about the port’s strategy and development prospects.

     

    Ms. Carlsson, what are key results of the Port of Geteborg operation in 2008?

    - From the beginning of the year the Port of Geteborg. Last year saw a record result throughout the port existence – 22 million tonnes of oil products. considerably increase transshipment of oil products – up to 16.3 million tonnes, which exceeds the result of the same period in 2007

    In the first three quarters of the year the port increased container turnover to 650,000 TEU. By the end of the year we plan to reach 900,000 TEU. Slight decrease of turnover was shown by ro-ro and automobile sectors – to 450,000 and 215,000 units respectively.

     

    - You used to announce that cargo flow via the port of Geteborg is to double within the nearest 8 years. What factors are to ensure such a considerable growth?

    - In order to double and to some extent triple our volumes within ten years, we among many other ports depend on transhipment. We expect the transhipment volumes to increase, in particular transhipment to and from the Baltic region. We also expect to concentrate more volumes from the Scandinavian countries to Geteborg with a continuing success with rail-borne cargo.

     

    - Is the port development strategy focused on railway transportation?

    - We focused on development of railway transportation as early as 10 years ago. Together with rail operators, industrial companies, forwarding agents, shipping lines and the National Rail Administration, the port has built up a system of rail shuttles. Rail shuttles make it possible to establish a direct route between towns throughout Sweden and the largest ports in the Nordic region.  Replacing road transportation with railway transportation we simplify customs procedures and decrease transportation costs. Besides, railway transport has significant environmental benefits – in 2007 the shuttles saved 42,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from being emitted.

     

    - What is the volume of railway transportation in the port today?

    - In seven years (2001-2007) the port tripled railway transportation of containers. Last year, Port of Geteborg Rail Center handled 190,000 containers. The port now has 70 train departures a day, of which 46 are operated for the oil, petroleum, chemical, paper and steel industries, and the remaining 24 are container shuttles. The plan is to establish two new freight shuttles per year, to existing and new locations.

    Rail freight at the Geteborg port today has a 38% market share for containers, and the target is to reach 50% by 2012. The demand for rail shuttles is enormous and, in effect, only infrastructure limitations could in the long-term pose a threat to expansion. Our latest large project in the sector of railway transportation is RailPort Skandinavia. The aim is to bring the shuttle centres' inland terminals closer to the port by allowing them to handle customs clearance, storage, documentation and other services.

     

    - What are the port’s other unique strategies?

    - Port of Göteborg is one of the world leaders when it comes to shoreside electric power connection. At present, 10 or so vessels are connected in the Ports ro/ro teminal, including the vessels operated by the pulp and paper group Stora Enso, which have been connected since 2000, and some of the ferries operated by Stena Line. The port has plans to provide electricity supply points at more berths. Port of Göteborg also using two local wind turbines to serve the shoreside electricity.

     

    - New cargo shipping line was launched this August between St. Petersburg and Geteborg. Could you, please, tell about this project?

    - A new freight line opened up between St Petersburg and the Port of Geteborg was launched by a Singapore headquartered shipping line X-Press Container Line. It is the first regular service between Russia and the Port of Geteborg. Feeder vessels leave St. Petersburg and callinto Kotka, Geteborg, Zeebrugge, Amsterdam and Hamburg, then making their way back to St Petersburg. The freight comprises mainly export goods from Russia. 

     

    - You noted that Russia’s market development makes a positive impact on the development of port Geteborg. Aren’t you somewhat concerned about competition with Russian ports of the Baltic Sea Basin?

    - No, on the contrary. We think that with more direct calls to Port of Geteborg and a developed feeder serve to Russia and the Baltic countries, we complement each other in a good way.

     

    Interviewed by Maria Favorskaya

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