Low-carbon port areas

Indicator: CO2 emissions in the port area

Emissions in the port areas are divided into vessel emissions, machinery emissions, emissions from rubber-wheeled traffic and emissions from the Port of Helsinki’s own operations.

Emissions from vessels are regarded as the port area’s emissions in the areas managed by the Port of Helsinki, meaning the closed harbour area and water areas managed by the Port. The calculations include the time spent at the harbour, i.e. entering the harbour, leaving it, manoeuvring and being at berth. Emissions from land transport are calculated in the closed harbour area.

The water areas managed by the Port can be found on the Port’s website.

CO2 emissions reduced

• In 2020, the total amount of emissions was 76,392 tonnes of CO2, and it was distributed into emission categories according to the figure below.
• In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic reduced harbour traffic and other activities at the harbours. That, along with investments made by the Port, reduced total emissions by about 10%. The reductions by emission category were as follows:

– Vessel emissions 5,371 tonnes
– Machinery emissions 263 tonnes
– Rubber-wheeled traffic emissions 187 tonnes
– Emissions from the Port’s operations 2,564 tonnes.

With the purchase of carbon-free electricity, the final emission reduction from the Port’s own operations was 64%, because without the investment in the purchase of carbon-free electricity, the emissions from heating and electricity (including onshore power sold) would have been about 4,000 tonnes of CO2. With the purchase of carbon-free electricity, emissions were mostly generated by the heating of properties and fell to around 1,500 tonnes.

OSP to reduce emissions in port areas

• In 2020, the most significant measure to reduce emissions in port areas was the construction of an onshore power supply connection at Olympia Terminal. Onshore power supply makes it possible to reduce the climate emissions generated while ships are berthed by as much as 50–80 per cent, as the ships receive the electricity they need while at berth from land, and there is no need to keep auxiliary engines running. In addition to this, the investment improves air quality and reduces noise in the city centre. The total value of the investment for the Port was roughly EUR 1.3 million. The investment will reduce the port area’s carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 1,700 tonnes per year.