Today marks a significant milestone for the Port of Gothenburg as it celebrates the grand opening of its largest expansion in over 40 years. The newly inaugurated 144,000-square-meter terminal, known as “Arendal 2,” represents a substantial investment of approximately 60 million EUR, aimed at meeting the growing transportation demands of Swedish industry. The project has been under construction for six years, beginning with planning discussions that date back to the 1990s.
“This terminal began planning as early as the 1990s and then we talked about future-proofing. Now that future is here, and this terminal is needed to meet the transportation needs of Swedish industry today, which are also expected to continue growing over time,” said Göran Eriksson, CEO of the Port of Gothenburg.
Strategic Relocation and Environmental Initiatives
A key feature of Arendal 2 is its strategic position in the outer port area, further from the city center. This location is designed to optimize terminal operations with direct connections to road and rail infrastructure, as well as the local industrial cluster. One significant factor behind this expansion is the anticipated relocation of Stena Line’s operations. As part of the project, areas of the new terminal will be allocated for the shipping company’s move from central Gothenburg to the outer port area.
“It’s still a long way off, but the construction of this terminal has certainly taken Stena Line’s relocation into account,” Eriksson noted. “Stena Line will use parts of the new terminal area, while other adjacent terminal areas can also be made available in the relocation process.”
Environmental considerations have played a crucial role in the construction of Arendal 2. Around 180,000 cubic meters of contaminated materials from dredging the Göta River have been safely encapsulated, stabilized, and solidified to form the foundation of the terminal area. This method has not only prevented the unnecessary transport of hazardous materials but has also contributed to cleaning the river, all under a strict environmental control program.
Enhanced Competitiveness and Operational Efficiency
Already, parts of Arendal 2 have been taken over by the Gothenburg Roro Terminal, which had previously operated across two separate areas. The new consolidated terminal space offers the operator a larger, contiguous area with improved access to berths 712 and 713, enhancing the port’s overall operational efficiency and competitiveness.
“Overall, Arendal 2 is a solution where the involved actors get even better conditions to conduct their respective operations while the Port of Gothenburg as a whole is further optimized and becomes more competitive,” concluded Eriksson.
The ambitious project features extensive infrastructure, including 42 kilometers of ducting, 11 pump stations, a stormwater treatment plant, and nine lighting masts. The terminal’s completion ahead of schedule, inaugurated on August 29, marks a significant achievement in advancing the port’s capabilities to support the future growth of Sweden’s maritime industry.
