Thus, the ports of Sweden invariably play a vital role in the advancement of
Swedish society and industry. During the last several years, vessels calling at
Swedish ports have been increasing rapidly in both numbers and size, and there is
growing concern over emissions from ships and other environmental impacts on the
community. According to figures recently released from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the overall growth in international
seaborne trade increased by 4% during the reviewed period.
6 The total volume
reached 10.7 billion tons which according to UNCTAD was an additional 411 million tons. It was calculated that almost half of this were dry bulk commodities.
Briefly, therefore, it could be said that the global container trade went up by 6.4%
and dry bulk cargo by 4.0% which is an increase from 2016 figures.
7 The UNCTAD
forecast estimates a 4% growth in world sea trade in 2018. From a Swedish
perspective the growth in 2017 was levelled at 175 million tonnes which was a
2% increase.
8 Figures from the Swedish authority Transport Analysis show that
there is an upward trend in goods handled through ocean trade in 2018.
The growing number of ships calling at ports is not a positive outcome only. The
increasing number of vessels generate traffic to and from ports, which in turn cause
problems of emissions, noise, and congestion. Over the years, several Swedish cities
have introduced restrictions in areas where heavy traffic in excess of 3.5 tons in
terms of vehicular size and emission control. Since the beginning of this century,
Stockholm introduced a congestion fee for all vehicles in 2006 and Gothenburg
followed in 2010.
The following discussion focuses on the different measures suggested or already
taken to reduce port emissions, from both a global perspective and a regional, i.e. an
EU perspective, and a possible adaption in a Swedish context. Questions to be
addressed are, what possible means are there at the disposal of port operators,
municipal decision-makers or the government to combat emission in and around
ports. The main question relates to whether a fee or incentives are the best solutions
or whether other ports have better alternatives. The ingredients for this research have
been selected from the aforementioned VINNOVA project.
In the contemporary milieu, maritime legal research requires a cross-disciplinary
approach. It is obvious focusing simply on legal issues is insufficient for an adequate
understanding of the problem from a holistic viewpoint. Participation by researchers
from other disciplines broadens the view and vantage point of the issue to be
examined and affords a wider perimeter of inquiry. In some recent studies,
researchers from the disciplines of law, industrial economy and logistics have been
6 The edition of the UNCTAD REVIEW OF MARITIME TRANSPORT 2018 covers data and
events from January 2017 until June 2018. According to the foreword in the report: “(w)here
possible, every effort has been made to reflect more recent developments.” See page viii Note,
(UNCTAD/RMT/2018).
7 See UNCTAD/RMT/2018 page x Executive Summary.
8 See Transport Analysis Maritime transport 2017, https://www.trafa.se/globalassets/statistik/
sjotrafik/sjotrafik/2017/statistikblad-sjotrafik-2017.pdf. Downloaded 2019-01-07.
Environmental Challenge in Port Development: The Legal Perspective in. . .
439
Swedish society and industry. During the last several years, vessels calling at
Swedish ports have been increasing rapidly in both numbers and size, and there is
growing concern over emissions from ships and other environmental impacts on the
community. According to figures recently released from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the overall growth in international
seaborne trade increased by 4% during the reviewed period.
6 The total volume
reached 10.7 billion tons which according to UNCTAD was an additional 411 million tons. It was calculated that almost half of this were dry bulk commodities.
Briefly, therefore, it could be said that the global container trade went up by 6.4%
and dry bulk cargo by 4.0% which is an increase from 2016 figures.
7 The UNCTAD
forecast estimates a 4% growth in world sea trade in 2018. From a Swedish
perspective the growth in 2017 was levelled at 175 million tonnes which was a
2% increase.
8 Figures from the Swedish authority Transport Analysis show that
there is an upward trend in goods handled through ocean trade in 2018.
The growing number of ships calling at ports is not a positive outcome only. The
increasing number of vessels generate traffic to and from ports, which in turn cause
problems of emissions, noise, and congestion. Over the years, several Swedish cities
have introduced restrictions in areas where heavy traffic in excess of 3.5 tons in
terms of vehicular size and emission control. Since the beginning of this century,
Stockholm introduced a congestion fee for all vehicles in 2006 and Gothenburg
followed in 2010.
The following discussion focuses on the different measures suggested or already
taken to reduce port emissions, from both a global perspective and a regional, i.e. an
EU perspective, and a possible adaption in a Swedish context. Questions to be
addressed are, what possible means are there at the disposal of port operators,
municipal decision-makers or the government to combat emission in and around
ports. The main question relates to whether a fee or incentives are the best solutions
or whether other ports have better alternatives. The ingredients for this research have
been selected from the aforementioned VINNOVA project.
In the contemporary milieu, maritime legal research requires a cross-disciplinary
approach. It is obvious focusing simply on legal issues is insufficient for an adequate
understanding of the problem from a holistic viewpoint. Participation by researchers
from other disciplines broadens the view and vantage point of the issue to be
examined and affords a wider perimeter of inquiry. In some recent studies,
researchers from the disciplines of law, industrial economy and logistics have been
6 The edition of the UNCTAD REVIEW OF MARITIME TRANSPORT 2018 covers data and
events from January 2017 until June 2018. According to the foreword in the report: “(w)here
possible, every effort has been made to reflect more recent developments.” See page viii Note,
(UNCTAD/RMT/2018).
7 See UNCTAD/RMT/2018 page x Executive Summary.
8 See Transport Analysis Maritime transport 2017, https://www.trafa.se/globalassets/statistik/
sjotrafik/sjotrafik/2017/statistikblad-sjotrafik-2017.pdf. Downloaded 2019-01-07.
Environmental Challenge in Port Development: The Legal Perspective in. . .
439