The Port of Tallinn and Ports of Stockholm have signed a memorandum of understanding to launch the Swed-Est Green Collaboration, a joint initiative aimed at promoting sustainable and fossil fuel-free maritime activities between Estonia and Sweden, primarily on the Tallinn–Stockholm and Paldiski–Kapellskär routes.

According to Valdo Kalm, CEO of the Port of Tallinn, the collaboration aims to reduce the environmental impact of maritime transport while offering passengers and cargo operators sustainable solutions.

"This partnership provides both ports with a strategic advantage, making us more attractive to shipowners, passengers, and cargo operators who are looking for sustainable travel and transport solutions. It also opens up opportunities for developing new business models in fossil fuel-free maritime transport, for joint scientific and applied studies, and for applying for EU and other funding programmes," Kalm said.

In addition to environmental goals, the cooperation also seeks to increase passenger numbers, cargo flows, and ship calls — contributing to the economic vitality and well-being of the regions around the ports.

"Although the Port of Tallinn and Ports of Stockholm are the initiators of this collaboration, we will invite private and public sector organisations, research institutions, and other maritime stakeholders to join this green partnership in the future," Kalm added.

Magdalena Bosson, CEO of Ports of Stockholm, highlighted the joint responsibility and ambition that unite the two countries.

"Sweden and Estonia share the same sea and the same responsibility to protect it. By working together, we can accelerate the green transition across the Baltic Sea region and make maritime transport cleaner and more efficient," Bosson said.

The memorandum covers a range of joint activities and targets to be implemented across four ports, focusing on reducing emissions, improving energy efficiency, and promoting circular economy practices. Among the key goals is the installation of onshore power supply systems for ro-pax vessels in Paldiski South Harbour and the Port of Kapellskär by 2030, enabling ships to connect to shore power while at berth and thereby reduce CO₂ and noise emissions.

Both ports are also investing in renewable energy solutions. The Port of Tallinn plans to transition to CO₂ emission-free heating and electricity systems at the D-Terminal in Old City Harbour and at Paldiski South Harbour, as well as to deploy solar panels, LED lighting, and other green energy sources. Ports of Stockholm are exploring opportunities for more solar cell installations in Värtahamnen and Kapellskär and exploring the possibilities to provide fast charging options for buses, trucks, and other heavy vehicles in the port areas.

The collaboration also focuses on enhancement of waste management and circular economy practices. The Port of Tallinn aims to increase the proportion of ship-generated waste directed to recycling through improved sorting and handling, while Ports of Stockholm are developing solutions for the separate offloading and processing of food waste to produce biogas and reduce hydrogen sulfide levels in sewage treatment systems. The partners will also assess possibilities for reusing treated greywater, for example for quay flushing, within an ongoing project.

Another goal is the transition to energy-efficient, zero-emission port machinery and transport. The Port of Tallinn will continue the complete conversion to energy-efficient and zero-emission port equipment and promote the use of green taxis, public transport, and bicycle infrastructure in port areas. Ports of Stockholm will follow their port truck strategy for zero-emission cargo handling in the Port of Kapellskär and support further electrification in Värtahamnen to reduce air and noise pollution.

The cooperation also includes the modernisation of port terminals in line with high environmental standards. The Port of Tallinn will share best practices from the renovation of the D-Terminal and the construction of the new A-Terminal in Old City Harbour, while Ports of Stockholm are rebuilding the Värtahamnen terminal in accordance with the sustainability requirements of Stockholm.

"We have already made significant progress with our FIN-EST Green Corridor initiative together with the Port of Helsinki and ferry companies, and we are very pleased to extend that valuable experience now to our collaboration with the Ports of Stockholm," added Kalm.

The FIN-EST Green Corridor initiative was launched in October 2023 as a collaboration between the cities and ports of Helsinki and Tallinn, along with ferry operators including Rederi AB Eckerö, Tallink Grupp, and Viking Line, to create a sustainable and climate-neutral maritime corridor in the Gulf of Finland.

The Swed-Est Green Collaboration represents a new stage in maritime cooperation between Estonia and Sweden. The shared goal of the Port of Tallinn and Ports of Stockholm is to build a maritime network that connects the two countries through sustainable innovation and business practices.

The MoU was signed by Valdo Kalm, CEO, Port of Tallinn, and Anders Nordlund, harbour master, Ports of Stockholm.