The Port of Turku’s new environmental programme aims for carbon neutrality and a healthy marine environment

The new environmental programme includes concrete measures to reduce environmental impacts and promote sustainable development.

A healthy marine environment

The first objective aims to reduce the impact of port operations on waterways. In order to achieve this objective during the programme period, we will further the disposal of dredging masses on land and ensure the use of the Pansio area as a future dredge disposal site.

Markku Alahäme, Technical Director of the Port of Turku, views the Pansio area as suitable for the disposal of dredging masses because it has a large enough capacity for this purpose.
“The Pansio area is the only expansive area within in the boundaries of the City of Turku where the disposal of dredging masses can be carried out once the current area of Lauttaranta is deemed to be full and decommissioned.”

One potential challenge for the use of the Pansio area could be its reconciliation with the City of Turku’s vision as itself as Maritime Turku.

Promotion of biodiversity

We will also promote biodiversity by assessing our nature footprint in 2027, defining nature-related targets in 2028 and initiating the implementation of the related measures in 2029.

“Our efforts to promote biodiversity are progressing in stages in accordance with the Biodiversity Roadmap prepared by the Finnish Ports Association”, explains Alahäme.

The aim of the Biodiversity Roadmap for Finnish Ports is to increase the knowledge of the port sector, to survey the nature-related impacts of port operations and to establish concrete steps to promote biodiversity.

The activities of ports affect the environment in many ways, and the loss of biodiversity brings with it both ecological and economic challenges. The roadmap responds to this by compiling measures into a coherent package that helps ports to reduce harmful effects on nature and strengthen biodiversity.

READ MORE (in Finnish) Satamien luonnon monimuotoisuuden tie- ja merikartta 19.9.2025

Carbon-neutral port by 2029

The aim of the second objective is to reduce the carbon footprint of port operations so that the Port’s own emissions (Scope 1 and 2) reach zero by 2029. To achieve this, we will introduce the use of carbon-neutral machinery, i.e. electric equipment, alternative fuels that are more carbon-neutral and compensation for any possible remaining emissions by 2029.

In addition, we will ensure the use of renewable district heating with guaranteed origin through an agreement signed with Turku Energia at the beginning of 2026. We will also develop our procurement criteria to take into account indirect Scope 3 and 4 emissions, such as transportation and other similar external services. We will consider all procurement decisions on a case-by-case basis.

We will develop shore power readiness for passenger and cargo traffic

New obligations have been imposed by the EU’s FuelEU Maritime regulation and Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR). As of 2030, all container and passenger ships over 5000 GT must be connected to shore power in the main EU ports. These regulations require ports to arrange for the distribution of alternative fuels and to advance their shore power readiness. For Turku, this will, in certain cases, concern passenger ships when their period of stay at port exceeds the time specified in the obligations.

We will develop shore power readiness in co-operation with different shipping companies and Turku Energia for both passenger and cargo traffic.

Alahäme views the transition to shore power as having both benefits and challenges.

“The use of shore power eliminates CO₂, NOx, SOx and particulate emissions during port calls, which reduces climate impacts and, certainly, noise pollution as well. The challenges can be seen in the high investment and infrastructure costs, as well as technical compatibility issues due to, for example, the variability in the electrical engineering properties of ships (voltages, frequencies, plug types, etc.). The electrical power demand also varies from ship to ship.”

The Port of Turku’s environmental programme shows that promoting sustainable development is a core aspect of the port’s strategy.

“Concrete actions to achieve healthy and carbon-neutral waterways create the foundation for responsible port operations in the future”, states Alahäme.

Text: Heli Kaijansalo
Photos: Janne Stenroos, Sari Järvinen ja Heli Kaijansalo