Ports of Karlskrona and Vordingborg join the BPO

The last weeks saw the Baltic Ports Organization (BPO) joined by two new members – the Ports of Karlskrona (Sweden) and Vordingborg (Denmark). The ports expressed their interest in BPO’s Comprehensive Ports Group, focused on identifying and voicing the needs of smaller ports, as well as their position within the TEN-T network.

Port of Karlskrona

The industrial port of Karlskrona is a medium-sized port, situated at the south-eastern coast of Sweden. It is easily accessible, with only 20 minutes transit from sea and pilot station. The route is straightforward, safe navigable and ice free. The port has enjoyed substantial growth over the last 20 years (growth of 800% in volume units), with the trend set to continue.

The expansion is underway, increasing the port logistic area by 11 hectares, achieved by filling out of two shallow bays. Further investments are already planned, the first being the construction of new quaysides, approx. 400 meters in length, set to happen in the next few years.

The public port, sporting a recently updated rail combi terminal, has 3-4 ro-ro/ferry departures per day to Gdynia.

Port of Vordingborg

Vordingborg Port is a Danish industrial port situated on the island of Masnedoe south of Zealand. The port is growing rapidly and is undergoing a substantial expansion. The expansion process took off in 2015 and has included an enlargement of the harbour area and the dredging of the fairway down to a depth of 10.4 meters with a width of 70 meters. Over the past two years, the harbour area has more than tripled in size.

The port participates in the EU Interreg DUAL Ports project. The specific focus is the renewed use of soil, the main objective being the expansion and development of the port by using recycled products, such as contaminated soil, concrete and excessive soil from building projects in the area.

The port has around 400 ship calls per year (est. number for 2019), with the expected annual turnover of goods estimated to be close to 1 million tons.

Bogdan Ołdakowski, BPO Secretary General, shared the following comment:
“We are very glad to see new members join the Organization and the Baltic community it represents. It shows that the ports in the region remain interested in active engagement in its further development. Both ports declared the intent to join BPO’s Comprehensive Ports Group, which makes us very happy. The group has been gaining new members in recent years, a very welcome sign considering the importance of comprehensive ports for the development of the region”.