Navigating Sustainability: Constraints and Opportunities for Small and Medium-Sized Ports in the Baltic Sea

Abstract

Maritime ports in Europe are undergoing significant decarbonisation, driven by initiatives such as the Sustainable Development Goals and IMO and EU regulations. Ports serve as important logistical hubs within the European Union’s transport system, given that over 70% of the EU’s external trade by weight is seaborne and represents roughly 50% of its total value. Furthermore, considering the International Maritime Organization’s 2023 Revised GHG Strategy, ports function as central actors in the maritime sector’s transition toward decarbonisation. Ships docked at the port are responsible for up to 53% of the port’s CO₂ emissions, alongside other emission sources, like cargo handling equipment, heating and cooling systems, and visiting trucks. Ports that operate in the Baltic Sea region must monitor environmental pressures arising from shipping and port activities. In response, port sustainability, which is understood through the environmental, economic, and social dimensions of the triple bottom line, has become increasingly central to port governance, requiring addressing not only internal operations but also external factors, such as landside transport and maritime traffic. This paper examines the key environmental, social, and economic sustainability challenges affecting ports and analyses how seven Baltic Sea ports address these challenges in their strategic development plans. Information was gathered from public homepages and port representatives. The findings reveal that while all ports pursue initiatives combining digitalisation, environmental measures, and infrastructure upgrades, a one-size-fits-all approach is not feasible. Each port confronts unique constraints that range from industry-specific vulnerabilities and fluctuating cargo profiles to geopolitical disruptions, uneven technological integration, and the high cost of environmental investments, all of which require a tailored approach. The analysis underscores the necessity of context-specific strategic approaches and ongoing international collaboration to enhance the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of Baltic Sea ports.