Swedish ports can play a key role as the expansion of offshore wind power gains momentum. However, uncertainty surrounding permits and investments is slowing progress. Now, an innovation project within the Swedish Transport Administration’s industry programme Sustainable Shipping, managed by Lighthouse, has resulted in four new business models designed to pave the way forward.

Sweden is expected to require up to 300 TWh of electricity by 2045 to achieve a fossil-free energy system. Offshore wind power has been identified as a central part of the solution. This means that several ports will take on a crucial role as logistics hubs for the construction, installation, and maintenance of offshore wind farms.

“Ports are absolutely essential for this industry to function,” says Nermina Saracevic of RISE, one of the authors of the report Business Model Development in Swedish Ports – Adjustment to New Volumes from Offshore Wind Industry.

So far, however, Swedish ports lack the capacity required to fully support the development of offshore wind farms. Water depths, quays, and storage areas are often insufficient for the large components involved. Expanding port infrastructure requires investments worth millions of euros, without any guarantee that the projects will actually materialise.

“There is significant potential for industrial investment, but there is also considerable uncertainty, particularly regarding permitting processes. In Sweden, companies are responsible for obtaining permits and arranging grid connections themselves, which makes development uneven and risky. Several planned wind farms have already been halted.”

According to the study, there is therefore a need for collaborative platforms where ports, developers, shipping companies, and vessel owners can work together to reduce risks and enable the successful implementation of offshore wind projects.

“On the port side, there is uncertainty about how such collaborations should be established, and ports are not actively seeking new partners. At the same time, their day-to-day operations are often resource-intensive, limiting opportunities to engage. We therefore organised digital workshops where stakeholders could meet and exchange experiences. We also arranged a study visit to the Port of Rønne in Denmark, which has come a long way in supporting offshore wind development,” says Nermina Saracevic.

Most importantly, the study has developed a method to help ports create new business areas linked to offshore wind. Four potential business models have been identified: construction, installation, and decommissioning ports (CID ports); service ports; combined ports; and support ports.

“There are opportunities for substantial benefits for ports. Many already possess much of the capacity required, but our models help them understand what additional investments are needed. Often, this involves expanding quays, although it is also advantageous if those facilities can support multiple types of operations.”

However, clearer political direction will be needed if this potential is to be realised. Today, Sweden lacks a national strategy identifying which ports should focus on offshore wind, creating a risk of overinvestment and regional competition in the future. At present, little is happening, as the government is placing greater emphasis on nuclear power.

“For example, there is currently no port in southern Sweden capable of supporting the Swedish offshore wind farm Kriegers Flak, located about 30 kilometres south of Trelleborg, with the shipping and pre-assembly of wind turbines. Instead, the Port of Rønne serves as the installation port,” says Nermina Saracevic.

“It is important that we prepare our ports before the first major wave of offshore wind projects arrives during the 2030s. But ports cannot bear the risk on their own. Coordination between the government, industry, and local stakeholders is essential.”

The report Business model development in Swedish ports - Adjustment to new volumes from offshore wind industry was authored by:
Nermina Saracevic, RISE
Jon Williamsson, Göteborgs Universitet
Vendela Santén, RISE
Anna Skötte, RISE