New logistics setup enables more climate friendly export of Swedish pulp through the Port of Gothenburg
Thanks to a collaboration between parties in the logistics hub of the Port of Gothenburg, a unique transshipment solution is now being introduced, enabling significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions for the Swedish forest industry group Södra.
In 2022, Sweden exported forest products worth almost € 20 billion, more than ever before.
Now, another step has been taken to optimize and stabilize the export process for a part of Sweden's green gold. This is achieved by Södra, introducing a new flow of pulp via the Port of Gothenburg through an entirely new logistics arrangement.
Typically, pulp from Södra is transported by rail and truck from Södra’s production facility in Mönsterås on the Swedish east coast, for transshipment at Mima Terminals' facilities in the Port of Gothenburg. There, the bales are loaded into containers for further global delivery.
Now, a new solution is created by Södra and Mima Terminal, in collaboration with container terminal operator APM Terminals. In part to be able to handle rapid volume growth, as well as to optimize the transports from an emissions perspective. This solution establishes an alternative corridor where new volumes are transported by sea between Mönsterås and the Port of Gothenburg.
When a bulk carrier departs from Mönsterås, it is loaded with up to 5,600 tons of pulp (equivalent to 140 trucks). Thirty-six hours later, the ship arrives at the container terminal in the Port of Gothenburg operated by APM Terminals. Mima Terminal unloads Södra's time-chartered vessels, containerizes and temporarily stores the pulp before shipping it via container vessels to markets on other continents.
The Port of Gothenburg is the largest port in Scandinavia. Around 30% of Swedish domestic and foreign trade passes through the Port of Gothenburg and over 50% of all container traffic. The port is a full-service port, and offers industry guaranteed, climate-smart access to the whole world. Direct services to key markets ensure highly efficient, sustainable, and reliable transport 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The focus is firmly on sustainability, innovation, and digitalisation in a concerted effort to maintain the ongoing development of climate-efficient freight transport and calls by vessels. With over 30 rail shuttles offering daily departures, companies throughout Sweden and Norway have a direct, climate-neutral service to the Port of Gothenburg. The port handles energy products, vehicles, ro-ro units, containers and passengers. 22,000 people are employed at the port.
