Bridge delivery highlights sea transport

The shipment arrived on 12 April aboard the vessel Commander 1, towing the barge Carrier 17, before reaching Frihamnen Port in Stockholm. The six bridge sections, some weighing up to 152 tonnes, were manufactured in Poland and transported in sizes ranging from 9 by 15 metres to 25 by 10 metres, with a combined length of 230 metres.

Johan Praetorius, marketing manager cargo at Ports of Stockholm, said the operation demonstrates the advantages of maritime logistics in urban environments. “We are proud to offer customers a smart sea route directly to the final destination in central Stockholm,” he said.

“Our inner-city quays make it possible to relieve the road network, reduce environmental impact and at the same time provide cost-effective transport.”

Once in port, the sections were transferred using the heavy-lift crane Lodbrok onto pontoons for onward delivery by sea to the Slussen development area, where the bridge will ultimately connect Södermalm with Gamla Stan.

Transporting oversized infrastructure components by sea avoids the logistical challenges associated with road haulage, including increased costs and strain on infrastructure. It also significantly reduces emissions by limiting the need for heavy lorry transport through city streets.

The new pedestrian and cycle bridge, part of the wider Slussen redevelopment project, is scheduled to open in early 2027, improving connectivity and sustainable transport options across central Stockholm.