In April, the Skandia Gateway fairway deepening project at the Port of Gothenburg marks its one-year anniversary of construction. Along with ongoing progress, the project aims to minimize its climate impact creatively and effectively. This endeavor represents one of the largest dredging projects undertaken by the Swedish Maritime Administration in over two decades, seeking to deepen a 5-kilometer section of the fairway from 13.5 meters to a maximum of 17.5 meters.
To accommodate this increased depth, substantial reinforcement of the quay at the container terminal is necessary. The goal is to reduce the project’s climate impact by at least 30% compared to initial estimates, translating to a decrease from about 31,000 tons to roughly 21,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e). “To achieve this ambition, we must prioritize climate considerations in every decision—from material choices to transportation and construction techniques,” explains Jan Andersson, project manager for Skandia Gateway at the Port of Gothenburg.
This careful consideration includes the willingness to invest in environmentally friendly materials, which often come at a higher cost. For instance, the project team opted to use gravel from the site as fill material for 1,500 new piles rather than filling them with concrete, which is the conventional approach. Climate impact is meticulously monitored, and current emissions have been reduced by 28%, with projections suggesting an increase to over 30% by project completion in early 2028.
Continuous innovation and adherence to sustainability will be crucial moving forward. The dredging phase is set to begin in Q3 2026, accompanied by new, stricter environmental requirements for construction materials. An incentive model has been developed to reward contractors for exceeding basic environmental criteria.
Key strategies in the quay reinforcement efforts include recycling materials, using renewable energy, and implementing high climate performance standards, ensuring a circular approach to reducing carbon emissions throughout the project.