Baltic Ports Conference 2025 – Advancing Decarbonisation in the Baltic Sea Region

13 October 2025

Blue Supply Chains participated in the Baltic Ports Conference 2025 in Gdańsk, where Stefan Breitenbach from Port of Hamburg Marketing presented the project’s work on supporting port authorities and operators in decarbonising port operations. His presentation highlighted key results, including testbeds in Lithuania and Sweden, and the strategic role of ports in the green transition.

Technical details

Blue Supply Chains proudly took part in the Baltic Ports Conference 2025, held in Gdańsk, Poland, on 6–8 October during the BALTEXPO – International Maritime and Military Fair, organized by the Baltic Ports Organization (BPO).

Representing the project, Stefan Breitenbach, Head of Project Department at Port of Hamburg Marketing, delivered a presentation titled “Blue Supply Chains – how to support port authorities and port operators to decarbonise port operations?” The session attracted strong interest from the Baltic ports community, generating valuable discussion on the role of ports in driving the green transition of maritime transport.

In his presentation, Stefan emphasized that ports offering alternative fuels, onshore power supply, and charging infrastructure will have a strategic advantage in the future transport landscape. He noted that for both the shipping industry and ports to achieve long-term net-zero carbon emission goals, a shift from fossil fuels toward fossil-free alternatives is essential. Ports will play a central role in this transition by facilitating the development of alternative fuels, bunkering infrastructure, and low-carbon shipping solutions.

Stefan also showcased several Blue Supply Chains testbeds, demonstrating how the project supports ports in exploring and implementing greener operational models. These include:

A roadmap to electrify an inland waterway in Lithuania, currently under implementation, which aims to replace diesel-powered river transport with electric solutions and modernized port infrastructure.
A roadmap for local e-fuel production in the Umeå Region, Sweden, developed in cooperation with port and shipping industries as key actors in regional decarbonisation efforts.

Both testbeds serve as examples of practical tools and methodologies that can be replicated by other ports across the Baltic Sea Region. Through these activities, Blue Supply Chains contributes to building the capacity of port authorities and operators to plan and invest in sustainable energy solutions.

In addition, Stefan encouraged the conference audience to participate in the upcoming Final Conference of Blue Supply Chains, which will be held during the Baltic Ports for Climate Conference in Gdynia on 21 November 2025. The event will mark the culmination of the project’s work and present its final outputs, lessons learned, and recommendations for greener port operations.

The Baltic Ports Conference once again proved to be an excellent platform for exchanging knowledge, fostering cooperation, and advancing the dialogue on sustainable development among Baltic Sea ports.