Green shipping corridors have been identified as an important tool in the transition towards more sustainable transport. The project Baltic Sea Green Shipping Corridors (BalticSea-GSC) aims to strengthen cooperation on the development of green shipping corridors in the Baltic Sea. The focus is on assessing needs, broadening partnership, engaging stakeholders and developing concepts for future transnational collaboration in this area.

The project is based on the concept of green shipping corridors – zero emission shipping routes between two or more ports.. By bringing together actors from across the Baltic Sea region, BalticSea-GSC seeks to reinforce cross-border collaboration and support the continued development of these corridors.

Baltic Sea Green Shipping Corridors builds on existing collaborations that support Nordic and Baltic ports in their transition to renewable energy and reduced maritime emissions. The project also advances ongoing work on Nordic green shipping corridors by adding a clear Baltic Sea perspective.

By involving organisations with practical experience of the challenges linked to establishing green shipping corridors, the project creates a solid foundation for further collaboration. This strengthens the conditions for developing joint concepts for future EU-funded initiatives.

Challenges for green shipping corridors
Green shipping corridors have emerged as part of global efforts to accelerate the shift towards zero-emission maritime transport. Under the Clydebank Declaration (COP26), six countries in the Baltic Sea region – Sweden, Finland, Lithuania, Denmark, Germany and Norway – have committed to promoting the development of such corridors, demonstrating a strong political support in the region.

Despite this, several challenges remain, including:

– Low demand, partly due to high costs for zero-emission fuels and vessels
– Limited renewable fuel availability and bunkering infrastructure
– Lack of operational experience with some renewable fuel and technology options
– Complex multi-actor, multi-country coordination requirements
– Insufficient policy instruments tailored to green shipping corridor development

BalticSea-GSC addresses some of these challenges by identifying the practical needs of stakeholders, strengthening cross-border collaboration and developing concepts that can inform future initiatives in this field.

Project name: Baltic Sea Green Shipping Corridors (Seed project)
Funded by: Swedish Institute
Budget: 500 000 SEK
Project partners: IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute (Lead Partner), Baltic Ports Organization (Estonia), Klaipeda State Seaport Authority (Lithuania). Project Reference Group: Swedish Transport Administration, EUSBSR PA Ship/Finnish Transport and Communication Agency, Climate Ministry of Estonia
Period: 2025 – 2026