"The development in Gävle is inspiring for other ports, and the doubling of the capacity is important for all of Sweden," says Sweden's Minister for Infrastructure, Tomas ENEROTH, in connection with the official construction start on December 12. When completed in the summer of 2020, it will increase the annual capacity to 600,000 TEU.

The Minister of Infrastructure emphasized the importance of ports and shipping to reach the government's goal of developing Sweden into the world's first fossil-free welfare state, and he is very pleased that he is now seeing an increase in ocean freight to and from Sweden.

"I particularly appreciate the joint initiative of YILPORT and Gävle Hamn, which establishes new conditions for more efficient and more environmentally friendly transport.

Every year, Swedish companies export and import more than 700 million tonnes of goods. 15 million tonnes of these are produced within 150 km of Gävle. YILPORT's chairman, Robert Yuksel YILDIRIM, emphasized in his speech that he has great faith in Sweden and the Nordic region.

“We are game changers, and we share the ambition of the minister of infrastructure. YILPORT will support and help in every way we can so that we together can strengthen the status of ocean freight and contribute to the goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and a cleaner environment. What we are building in Gävle is a mostly electrified and a highly efficient container terminal. It’s a milestone for YILPORT.”

Robert Yuksel YILDIRIM also emphasized that shipping companies today require the handling of bigger ships. With the new quay, larger cranes, and even smarter IT systems, the Port of Gävle and YILPORT take this into consideration.

Katarina NOREN, the Director General at The Swedish Maritime Administration, focused in her speech, among other things, on the great significance of Gävle's new shipping lane.
“This is the first time the Swedish state, and not the industry, has financed a shipping lane. And that's a success! With significantly fewer restrictions, the new shipping lane has increased the amount of cargo and has grown Gävle’s significance when Sweden’s largest port—Gothenburg—had major strikes. The effort from YILPORT and the Port of Gävle shows that an increased amount of ocean freight to and from Sweden is possible.”

Katarina Norén also paved the way for further strengthening the competitiveness of ocean freight.
“The Swedish Maritime Administration is pushing for more digital solutions to simplify communication between—and to integrate—the various modes of transportation. Today Gävle and Gothenburg are at the forefront of the ongoing development,” said Katarina Norén.

Fredrik SVANBOM: “This project is the biggest thing that has ever happened in our port. The development is extremely pleasing,” says Fredrik Svanbom, CEO of the Port of Gävle.

More project information at www.gavlehamn.se/en