The port of Ystad plays, due to its strategic position, an important role in the transportation flow between Scandinavia and Sweden and East- and Central Europe, and it is one of Ystad''s most important enterprises. Björn Boström, CEO of the port of Ystad explains.
The port of Ystad is constantly developing and the port even experienced growth during the financial crisis. The volumes in the port are steadily increasing and in 2013 the port reached a new record of goods volume and is now positioned as the 10th largest port in Sweden. The increasing ferry traffic to Swinoujscie in Poland is one of the main reasons for the positive development in the port. But the port of Ystad is also well known for other things than the increasing goods volumes. During the last years, the port developed a remarkable green profile. This is primarily due to an award winning shore power facility that has attracted much attention both nationally and internationally.
Environmental initiatives are highly prioritised in the port, and initiatives like the shore power facility gives us an opportunity to grow even further and strengthen the ports position as one of the leading ports within the Swedish transport and passenger industry.
Large investment in the environment
The municipally owned port company chose in 2010 to invest 35 million Swedish kronor in a HVSC (High Voltage Shore Connection). The facility was at that time the largest and most flexible shore power facility in the world. The facility can provide four vessels at dock at a time on a frequency of 50 as well as 60 Hertz. When at berth, vessels can disable their diesel generators, which saves a large amount of diesel every day with less emissions and lower noise levels as direct benefits. By offering both 50 and 60 Hertz we are minimising the investment needed for the ferry companies.
The construction of the ambitious shore power facility started in October 2011 and was presented to the public within a year. In September 2012, Swedish Environment Minister Lena Ek (Centerpartiet) inaugurated the facility for shore power and emphasised that it was an evidence of competitiveness and farsighted environmental technology. She was convinced that green technology relates to future growth and she said to be delighted by the environmental initiative from the port of Ystad.
The facility has created much attention, and soon after the inauguration, Ystad port company Hamn Logistik AB was awarded with an environmental award for their investment in the shore power facility from the association Sjöfartsforum (Maritime Forum). The motivation for the award was the fact that shore power reduces emission from vessels, and that the port of Ystad with the new facility is taking a step towards being the greenest port in Sweden.
It is pleasing to see that the ports environmental work echoes in the outside world. This is partly thanks to the people of Ystad who strive to be eco-friendly which makes it possible for the port to continue to grow and for us to make this investment. The environmental commitment that the port has made by investing in the shore power facility makes it possible to grow even more and it will strengthen the ports position as one of the most important ports in Sweden for the transport industry as well as supplier for the Swedish business overall.
The first vessel that was connected to the facility was Unity Line’s vessel m/s Skania. Soon after, followed by Polferries’ vessel m/s Wavel. The port of Ystad expects that all of the six daily vessels from Poland will be connected to the facility during 2014 and 2015. We expect that the shore power facility will save approximately 2 million litres of fuel when all ferries in Ystad are connected.
Seminar about shore power
The one and a half year old shore power facility is still popular and the port of Ystad experiences many inquiries for study visits, and several politicians have been visiting the port and its facility to experience how the newest green technology looks like and functions. In spring 2013, the port hosted a seminar about shore power where more than 70 people were gathered to discuss the possibilities and challenges with green technology in the port business. Ferry companies, ports, authorities, entrepreneurs and media from Sweden, Denmark, Poland, Estonia, Norway and Finland took part in this open discussion. The participants were also introduced to the transformation station and Unity Lines vessel m/s Skania. One of the main things the seminar focused on was the need for collaboration whilst building the facility.
You need extremely good partners and collaboration between partners to build a facility like this in such a short time without interfering with the operating activities in the port at the same time. I am very pleased and proud with the fact that we managed to accomplish this.
More environmental investments to come
The environmental ambitions in the port haven’t been fulfilled by the impressive shore power facility though. The port of Ystad is constantly thinking on the best way to improve and to operate in an environmentally friendly way. The fact that the city of Ystad is located closely to the port, increases the need for environmental regard and investments.
We are constantly developing plans for making the port even greener, especially in regard of the fact that there is such short distance between the port and the city and the people of Ystad. At the moment, we are examining the possibilities for moving the port further away from the city. This is a long term project and we are of course taking into account that our clients, both ferry companies and passengers, after a potential rebuilding of the port should have at least as good conditions as we are offering now.
The port has five berths for ro/ro, rail and passenger traffic and four quays for conventional vessels, like bulk, fishing boats and smaller cruise vessels. The passenger routes from Ystad to Bornholm and from Ystad to Poland have had a steady growth since its inception, a development that seems to be continuing.
The port of Ystad is the third largest port in Sweden as regards ferry passengers. This is mainly due to the approximately 1,3 million annual passengers travelling between the Danish island of Bornholm and Ystad. The ferry company Færgen operates the route between Ystad and Rønne. In 2013, the port hit a record in goods volume with 3.249.274 tons with the largest amount of goods transported between Sweden and East and Central Europe through Poland. The ferry companies Unity Line and Polferries both operates the route from Ystad to Swinoujscie in Poland with in total six daily calls.
