Court Gives Green Light to New Swedish Port

Construction consent has been given for the Stockholm Norvik Port, a planned freight port just north of Nynäshamn in Sweden. 

In accordance with the Swedish Environmental Code, construction and operation of the port required a legal ruling, and the Swedish Supreme Court has issued a positive ruling that does not to allow permission for an appeal to be heard. This means that construction of the port can begin during the year.

“We are very pleased about the Supreme Court’s decision. After a long process in this important project for the Stockholm region, the Supreme Court has issued its final ruling and we can at last begin to build the Stockholm Norvik Port,” says Johan Castwall, Ports of Stockholm Managing Director.

The port is extremely important for the establishment of an efficient, eco-friendly supply of goods to the Stockholm region, says Ports of Stockholm in a statement. In Sweden nine out of ten goods arrive by sea, and a large portion of these are destined for the Stockholm region. The Stockholm Norvik Port will make it possible to transport goods as close to their final destinations as possible by sea. This results in major environmental benefits and simultaneously reduces the pressure on Sweden’s already congested road and railway networks.

During the first quarter of 2016 there was a five percent gain in TEU handled at Ports of Stockholm compared to the same period of the previous year. The numbers were the strongest ever for a first quarter. “This shows positive development at the Container Terminal at Frihamnen and we are very pleased to see that more goods are arriving by sea directly to the major consumer market in the Stockholm region,” says Henrik Widerståhl, Ports of Stockholm's Deputy Managing Director and Head of Marketing.

“The global growth that we are experiencing generates increased freight volumes and Stockholm is the most rapidly expanding capital city in Europe,” said Castwall. “This imposes high demands for an efficient and sustainable supply of goods. By ensuring that we have the capability to welcome vessels that are becoming ever larger we are creating financially and economically attractive transport possibilities for our region. The Stockholm Norvik Port, with its natural depth, short approach lanes and close proximity to the market is an important piece in the goods supply jigsaw puzzle.” 

The first vessels are expected in the port about three years after the start of construction.