Port of Helsinki and its partners issued to the European Union three funding applications in relation to the port’s environmental future, aiming towards a better environment and sustainability.
Specifically, the port total cost of the investments is up to 18 million euros and the funding was applied for 20–30% of this.
Through the investments, the port aspires to reduce emissions in the port area and allocate benefits to local residents and the whole city.
Also, the port aims to lead in sustainable port operations, which has been apparent as the port, in December 2019, issued its price list for 2020 updating the sizes and types of its environmental discounts, as part of its efforts to pioneer in sustainable development, achieving significant emissions reductions and becoming carbon-neutral by 2035.
The port applied for the European union’s CEF funding for several projects of the Carbon-Neutral Port 2035 action programme, such as onshore power investments, energy-efficiency projects for the terminal buildings, the automatic mooring system of berth EK7, and the double vehicle ramp intended for the Vuosaari–Muuga route that will be built in Vuosaari Harbour.
Moreover, Helsinki states that a good investment, which will benefit the residents, would be the onshore power supply to be built for several berths where the vessels will be supplied by onshore electricity while moored and will not have to use their auxiliary engines to generate electricity.
This means that the use of onshore power could notably cut down on noise and local emissions, and these positive environmental impacts will be significant to, in particular, the people working in the port area and the local residents
… the port states.
Concluding, the port expects EU’s funding decisions by the end of summer 2020.
