Transport industry united on green transition: - Together we can make a difference

On August 26th, the transport industry met in the port centre at the Port of Aarhus to discuss something important. The green transformation of the heavy transport sector.

Companies, authorities and interest groups shared their knowledge so that participants could leave with a slightly greater understanding of both the challenges and the solutions.

The green transition has been on the agenda for many years, and although it shares attention with a changing geopolitical landscape these days, it has not become less important. Together we as an industry can make a difference, and I am delighted that the transport industry supports events like this,

says Anne Zachariassen, COO at the Port of Aarhus.

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The program offered presentations, debates and networking time.

The themes of the presentations ranged from concrete technological opportunities to challenges with sustainability measures in a changing geopolitical landscape.

One of the presenters was Jesper Høgh Bach from Norlys. Among other things, the energy group has set up electric chargers for trucks at the port area in Aarhus, and at the conference he gave a presentation on the electrification of heavy road transport.

The ports have a central position in the Danish transport industry, so if we can succeed at the ports, then we can succeed everywhere. There is nothing today that cannot be done with the electrification of heavy transport. It will require us to sometimes think a little differently than we have done so far, but it can be done,

says Jesper Høgh Bach, Director, Commercial Vehicle Solutions at Norlys.

The other proposals included everything from nuclear power as an alternative energy source to methanol ships.

And it's important to get far around to a conference like this. That was the main point of Andrea Wiholm's presentation.

The green transition requires cooperation. That's what ZEPA is all about. We all come with different perspectives on the problem. And everyone comes with some compensation. When we talk and work together, we gain an increased understanding of what we need to do.

says Andrea Wiholm, Global Carbonisation Lead at APM Terminals.

Andrea Wiholm also represented ZEPA, which stands for the Zero Emission Port Alliance. It is a collaboration in which container shipping companies, ports and other players in the container world work together to reduce CO2 emissions from container shipping by electrifying container handling equipment.

And here the COO of Port of Aarhus completely agrees.

The green transition must be both rapid and profitable. It can be troublesome at times. That is why it is important that we can help each other and share the experiences we make along the way. It makes it easier for all of us to achieve our goals. At the conference, I experienced a transportation industry that stood together. And then it will succeed,

says Anne Zachariassen.

Behind the conference were Aarhus Transport Group, Danish Shipbrokers and Port Operators, DI Transport and the Port of Aarhus.