VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland has audited the Port of Helsinki’s ‘Carbon-Neutral Port 2035’ programme and deemed it to be well-grounded, truthful and feasible overall. The audit deemed the programme’s level of detail, transparency and updatability to be strengths
Energy efficiency and using renewable energy are crucial to efforts to make the Port of Helsinki a carbon neutral port. The Carbon-Neutral Port 2035 programme was drafted in 2019 and is divided into four segments: port emissions, emissions from machinery, emissions from vehicle traffic and emissions from vessel traffic. Fifty measures have been listed under the categories. Most measures are aimed at reducing the port’s emissions and emissions from vessels.
The port said the measures introduced in the Carbon-Neutral Port 2035 programme are estimated to reduce port area emissions by 32% compared to 2015.
VTT was chosen as an independent auditor to obtain an independent opinion on the programme, the assumptions used in it and the programme’s potential outcomes. The centre’s experts assessed the programme in light of points of reference found in research literature and comparable general development. The rateability and reliability of the programme were reviewed on a qualitative scale and the audit declared the programme to be ’truthful and feasible overall’.
The port’s head of sustainable development Andreas Slotte said the audit has strengthened the port’s own notion of “the necessity and benefits of the investments” adding “next, we will update the programme based on the results of the audit. For example, we will describe the CO2 limit in more detail and highlight the impacts of weather on heating and electricity consumption better. The updated programme will provide a good basis for continuing the joint efforts of the operators across the port area towards carbon-neutrality."
Helsinki, Europe’s largest passenger port, is committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2035. Speaking at Riviera Maritime Media’s recent webinar on ‘The role of ports in decarbonising the maritime industry’, Mr Slotte said the port is also investing €1.8M (US$2M) in its onshore power station (OPS) as part of the move to reduce emissions in port, and there are plans to install a second OPS for ferries and a third by 2022.
Get the latest information and viewpoints on maritime issues during Riviera Maritime Media’s series of webinar weeks on key technical subjects in shipping
© 2023 Riviera Maritime Media Ltd.