ESPO Award 2024: Let us present the shortlisted projects: Port of Gothenburg
22 October 2024
Under the theme “Port projects or strategies in the field of circular economy that benefit the city and/or the surrounding community”, the ESPO Award 2024 will go to the port managing body which has developed a circular economy strategy and/or a significant circular economy project involving different stakeholders in or around the port. The winning project will be a project which can clearly demonstrate efforts that actively engage the port and benefit the surrounding community through circular economy activities.
The four projects that are shortlisted for this year’s Award are the projects of: Port of Antwerp-Bruges (Belgium), Port of Gothenburg (Sweden), Port of Huelva (Spain) and Port of Sevilla (Spain).
ESPO is proud to present the shortlisted projects before the winner is announced during the traditional ESPO Award Ceremony and Dinner taking place on November 6 at the Albert Hall. Find out more about the project of Port of Gothenburg:
Port Authority of Gothenburg, Sweden
Circular Usage of Dredge Masses for the Recreation of Wetlands and City Developments
1. Congratulations! You have been shortlisted for the ESPO Award 2024! Could you briefly describe your project?
The Port of Gothenburg has engaged in two significant circular economy projects, benefitting both the city and the surrounding community. The Wetland at Torsviken project restores seven hectares of wetland for wildfowl using glacial clay from a large, local road infrastructure project. The former deposition site for contaminated dredging spoils has been transformed into a vibrant wetland and public recreation space, making it one of western Sweden’s richest birdlife habitats! The Lundby Old Basin project, set to begin in 2025, will create 100 000 square meters of developable land by using 400 000 m³ of dredging spoils. This project is a key initiative in collaboration with the City of Gothenburg and this transformation will result in a greener, more vibrant and accessible riverfront space in central Gothenburg. It will support the City’s ambitious 2030 target to reuse 100% of feasible surplus material, with completion planned for 2035. Therefore, this project is a true example of win-win solution for all stakeholders involved, both in economic terms and from a sustainability perspective!
2. Could you tell us more about how your project contributes to the development of a circular economy in the port area? How does your port's circular economy strategy or initiative involve different stakeholders and benefit the city and the surrounding community?
Our project contributes directly to the development of a circular economy in the port area. The Port of Gothenburg promotes circularity by reusing dredging spoils, traditionally placed in dump facilities, which reduces emissions and ensures resources stay in the economy for as long as possible. Moreover, collaboration with stakeholders is crucial to this success. For example, in the Wetland at Torsviken project, seven hectares of wetland were restored for wildlife and public recreation, made possible after a decade of various stakeholder negotiations. The Lundby Old Port Basin project, set to begin in 2025, will have benefitted from over five years of ongoing stakeholder dialogues, focusing on environmental permits, political decisions, and expertise in maritime infrastructure and city development. Through this continuous collaboration, we have developed projects that benefit the city and surrounding community, providing 100,000 square meters for urban development and seven hectares of wetland accessible to the public.
3. Could you describe the original and innovative character of your project?
For the Wetland at Torsviken project, the original and innovative character was to combine the interests of the port authority with those of the local ornithological societies, identifying the possibility of turning a former deposition site into a wetland for wildfowl. Also, it was an innovative feature to use glacial clay masses from a road tunnel project to cover the contaminated dredge masses and thereby completing the wetland.
In the case of the Lundby old port basin project, the original and innovative character is to combine the need to handle large volumes of dredge masses from maritime infrastructure projects with the corresponding need for large volumes of masses to fill up an old port basin for future urban development. Specifically, the Port of Gothenburg identified the possibility of reusing dredge masses rather than the original idea from the city departments to import Danish Sea sand, which would have come with substantial emissions from transport and significant material costs. Also, the project will involve innovative ways of collaborating, including finding innovative business and risk-sharing models between the port authority and various departments in the City of Gothenburg.
4. Why do you think your project deserves to win the ESPO Award 2024?
Because the Port of Gothenburg has repeatedly showed that we are committed and persistent in engaging with all relevant stakeholders in a transparent and collaborative manner, to deliver concrete and large-scale projects with direct benefits for the city and the surrounding community. All in all, these circular economy projects will further improve the societal integration of the Port of Gothenburg, thereby fulfilling the overall objective of the ESPO Award 2024!
"The Port of Gothenburg has proved to be the natural leader, engaging all relevant stakeholders in developing significant circular economy projects, reusing dredge masses to create benefits for the surrounding community."
Patrik Benrick, Head of Strategic Development & Innovation
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