Port of Gävle

During the first half of 2026, total container throughput at Yilport Gävle’s terminal increased by 16 percent compared with the same period last year. The growth was driven by higher volumes from existing customers as well as several new cargo flows.

The figures cover the terminal’s total container flows, including volumes transported to and from the terminal by rail. This reflects the terminal’s role as a logistic hub where sea, rail and road meet.

Growing volumes of forest products

Forest products have been a key driver of the growth. Volumes of paper, pulp and sawn timber, among other products, increased during the period.

More cargo is being transported in containers

The development also reflects a longer-term shift in how goods are transported. In markets where goods have traditionally been shipped without containers, an increasing share of volumes is now being containerized. One example is cargo flows linked to markets in the Middle East and North Africa, known as the MENA region.

As the largest container port on Sweden’s east coast, strategically located close to many major cargo owners, the Port of Gävle is well positioned to benefit from this development.

“Our existing customers are increasing their volumes, while new flows are being added and more cargo owners are choosing containers as a transport solution. This is a very positive development, built on close cooperation among cargo owners, freight forwarders, shipping lines and Yilport. With Gävle’s strategic location and our investments in the terminal, we are well positioned for continued growth,” says Joseph Muhumuza, regional commercial director at Yilport Nordic.

Growing volumes could lead to more frequent sailings

As more cargo is transported through the Port of Gävle, it becomes more attractive for shipping lines to expand their services. Over time, this could lead to more frequent sailings and give customers a wider choice of shipping lines. Increased competition could also contribute to more competitive sea freight rates.

“For companies in Central Sweden, good transport options close to their operations are important. The growing volumes create better opportunities for the Port of Gävle to continue developing its offering,” says Fredrik Svanbom, CEO of Gävle Hamn AB.

Port of Gävle has been granted funding from the European Regional Development Fund to expand shore power at the container terminal. The investment will help reduce emissions from vessels at berth, while strengthening the port’s role in a sustainable, robust and resilient transport system in North Central Sweden.

The Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth has decided to grant funding to the project through the European Regional Development Fund. The funding covers 70 percent of the project’s total eligible costs, up to a maximum of SEK 45.7 million. The shore power facility is expected to be ready for use by the end of 2028.

In its decision, the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth assesses that the project will make a clear contribution to a transport system in North Central Sweden that is sustainable, robust and resilient. This is highlighted as important both for regional development and for societal preparedness.

Shore power means that vessels at berth can connect to electricity from land instead of using auxiliary engines on board. For vessels that are able to connect, this contributes to lower emissions, reduced noise and a better working environment for both crew and port staff.

“We are very pleased about this opportunity. Shore power is an important prerequisite for a long-term sustainable and competitive container terminal. A terminal with high capacity is also essential for the port’s ability to fulfil its role from a total defence perspective,” says Linda Astner, Director of Development and Deputy CEO at Port of Gävle.

Based on the vessel calls at the container terminal in 2025, emissions from container vessels at berth could have been reduced by approximately 3,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide if all container vessels had been able to connect to shore power. This corresponds to almost one third of the port cluster’s total carbon dioxide emissions that year.

The actual impact depends on how many vessels call at the port and how many of them have the technical capability to connect to shore power. The potential is nevertheless significant, as time at berth accounts for a substantial share of emissions from vessels during their stay in port.

The funding enables Port of Gävle to expand the infrastructure well ahead of upcoming EU requirements for shore power. Once the facility is completed, vessels with the capability to connect will be able to use electricity at berth from the end of 2028.

The investment is part of Port of Gävle’s long-term work to electrify the port area and create conditions for more energy-efficient transport. The port already has shore power facilities at other berths, and the expansion at the container terminal is the next step in reducing the climate impact from vessels at berth.

Part of the Energy Optimized Port Cluster

Shore power at the container terminal is one of several initiatives within Port of Gävle’s work with the Energy Optimized Port Cluster 2030. The programme brings together actors in the port cluster around a shared objective to reduce emissions, use energy more efficiently and future-proof the infrastructure.

Facts: Shore power at the container terminal

Project: Shore power at the container terminal
Funding: European Regional Development Fund
Decision-making authority: Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth
Support: 70 percent of eligible costs, up to a maximum of SEK 45.7 million
Project period: 3 August 2026–31 December 2028
Purpose: To enable electricity connection for container vessels at berth and contribute to reduced emissions, increased energy efficiency and strengthened transport infrastructure.

The project is co-financed by the EU through the European Regional Development Fund.

Positive news worth celebrating. Port of Gävle marked the EU funding for shore power at the container terminal with a cake.

This week, Swedish Customs visited Port of Gävle to provide on-site further training for our security guards. The training included both theoretical and practical elements, focusing on cargo inspections, container handling and how deviations can be identified within the port area.

Following the theoretical session, the training continued out on the quay, where participants had the opportunity to take a closer look at containers and discuss what can be important to pay attention to in day-to-day operations.

For our security guards, it is not about carrying out the inspections performed by Swedish Customs, but about contributing through awareness, local knowledge and observations. By reacting to deviations and knowing when information should be passed on, the port can contribute to stronger security throughout the entire transport chain.

“The presence of Swedish Customs at Port of Gävle is a valued part of the port area and an important prerequisite for a safe and secure port. Our close cooperation on matters relating to cargo flows, local knowledge and inspections is a clear example of how our agreement on Cooperation Against Customs Crime, contributes to society,” says Tim Röde, Deputy Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO) at Gävle Hamn AB.

Ports are important nodes for cargo flows to and from Sweden. This also means that cooperation between ports, authorities, terminal operators and other stakeholders is crucial in the fight against smuggling and organised crime.

The training also comes at a relevant time. Recently, Port of Gävle’s port security plan and the relevant terminal operators’ maritime security plans were approved by the Swedish Transport Agency. This marks an important milestone in the statutory process for port and maritime security, in which the plans are updated on a recurring basis and form the basis for port operations to be conducted in accordance with applicable requirements.

A sincere thank you to Swedish Customs for a valuable session and for good cooperation.

Read more about Cooperation Against Customs Crime.

Yesterday, a major joint exercise was conducted in the Port of Gävle together with the rescue services, Släckmedelscentralen and several other actors. The exercise included both operational activities in the port area and work in the incident command staff.

During the day, the Port of Gävle was the site of one of the larger exercises of its kind in Sweden. The exercise was carried out in cooperation with the rescue services, Släckmedelscentralen and several other participating actors.

The purpose was to practise cooperation and procedures in the event of a major incident in a port environment. The exercise included both operational activities in the port area and work in the incident command staff, where leadership, coordination, situational awareness and communication were tested together.

A port is a complex environment where many functions need to work simultaneously, both in everyday operations and during a serious incident. Regular exercises are therefore an important part of strengthening safety, preparedness and our joint capability.

Overall, the exercise went well and provided valuable experience. A joint evaluation process will now follow, where the participating actors will review what worked well and what can be developed further, both in the operational response and in the staff work.

“In major exercises like this, the implementation itself is very important. Once the real risks of injuries during the exercise have been prevented, there is room to test, make mistakes and learn from setbacks. In our case, the most important part of the exercise begins now – the evaluation and the work to take care of all the conclusions and lessons we need to bring into our operations in order to improve,” says Tim Röde, Exercise Leader at Gävle Hamn AB.

Gävle Hamn would like to extend a sincere thank you to all participating actors and to the businesses operating in the port for their good cooperation throughout the day.