• 5 min de lectura
• 5 min de lectura
Greenhouse gas emissions from maritime transport and port activities have been reduced from 47,700 to 31,505 tons of CO2 at the Port of Oslo since 2017. These results are the fruit of several years of specific investment in shore power, electrification, and new energy infrastructure.
The Port of Oslo as a Zero-Emission Port action plan is a politically adopted, long-term strategy to make the port complex emission-free.
One of the clearest signs of this transformation can be observed at the Yilport Oslo container terminal in Sydhavna. Recently, the terminal has taken significant steps towards emission neutrality throughout its operation.
Nine electric terminal tractors have already been put into operation, with more on the way. Along with new fast chargers and planned electric stackers, this means the container terminal will soon be able to operate with virtually zero emissions. For a terminal that handles about one-third of all containers arriving in Norway, this is an important step towards more sustainable freight transport, both in Oslo and the rest of the country.
"This is a significant advance, not only for the port but for all of Oslo as a green and modern city. It shows that the zero-emission plan works and that an ambitious climate policy produces concrete results," said Oslo City Councilor for Urban Development, Anita Leirvik North.
Both the ship-to-shore and terminal cranes are already electric. When three new electric stackers are delivered in 2026, all internal terminal machinery will be emission-free.
"The development towards a zero-emission container terminal is the result of close and specific cooperation between public and private actors. This interaction is crucial for achieving a rapid transformation, so that local and regional freight transport can be completely emission-free," stated Port of Oslo Director, Ingvar M. Mathisen.
Anita Leirvik North visited the new charging station for electric terminal tractors at Yilport Oslo, where she declared that "to achieve Oslo's and the port's climate goals, emission-free cargo handling must become the norm, not the exception. The new charging infrastructure at Yilport Oslo allows electric vehicles to be used in container handling without compromising efficiency. Here we see that the Port of Oslo and Yilport Oslo are serious about electrification."
In the summer of 2026, the Port of Oslo installed six new fast chargers for rental boats at Rådhusbrygge 2. This charging facility allows electric rental and tourist boats to recharge between trips, so that the MS Brisen, among others, can make more emission-free journeys in the fjord.
"The main obstacle to the electrification of short-sea shipping is access to recharging. The fact that adequate charging infrastructure for commercial vessels has already been implemented in Oslo is of utmost importance. For us, this means the opportunity to offer longer daily emission-free trips in Oslo," detailed Espen Larsen-Hakkebo, co-founder and CTO of Brim Explorer.
The charging station contributes to making the Oslo Fjord a little quieter, a little cleaner, and a little more environmentally friendly. To achieve greater electrification, the port must use energy more intelligently. Two new large battery packs contribute to more flexible and efficient energy use.
"The electrification of the port is progressing rapidly, but grid capacity represents a significant limitation. Batteries are a fundamental tool to expand electrification without further overloading the grid," said Jens Eirik Hagen, Technical Director of Energy Transition at the Port of Oslo.
The batteries have a total power of 1.8 MW and an energy capacity of 4 MWh. This solution allows electricity to be stored when the grid load is low and used when demand is high.
Thanks to the Furuset project and OsloFleks, the port has received batteries that will help reduce consumption peaks, optimize the use of existing electricity grids, and facilitate greater electrification of port operations. "Batteries are a fundamental tool for smarter electricity use, reducing consumption peaks, and enabling greater electrification without overloading the grid," stated Jens Eirik Hagen, Technical Director of Energy Transition at the Port of Oslo.
The green transition is not only happening through the Port of Oslo's own investments. The port's customers also play a crucial role.
Heidelberg Materials, a supplier of cement and concrete for construction projects in the Oslo region, has put three electric concrete mixers into operation at its Sjursøya plant this year. The company will be adding more this autumn. Its competitor, Unicon, already did so in 2023.
When emission-free solutions are used from ship to construction site, the climate effect is much greater than the emission reduction achieved solely within the port's perimeter.
The Port of Oslo aims to reduce emissions from its operations by 85% by 2030. This goal covers both land-based activities and maritime traffic within the maritime limits of the municipality of Oslo. The results of recent years show that, while the goal remains ambitious, development is moving in the right direction.
"The Port of Oslo's vision is to be the most efficient and environmentally friendly urban port in the world. No other port can offer the same results in the electrification of the port sector as we do. Furthermore, I am unaware of the level of electrification of public maritime transport in Oslo. Local ferries transport nearly 4 million passengers annually. Visionary and ambitious politicians have helped set the course towards a zero-emission future. We have coordinated with Oslo's climate budget and established clear goals for emission-free operations," explained Mathisen.