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Protecting the water and the land

Protecting the water and the land

FRILLED SEA ANEMONE. Underwater photographer Tore Vidar Knutsmoen captured this lively image of marine life at Sørenga in the fall of 2020. Photo: Tore Vidar Knutsmoen

Environmentally friendly port operations support the ecological and biological health of the fjord and surrounding land.

The City of Oslo has a blue-green structure that encompasses forests and fields, the city's parks and rivers, the fjord, and its islands. Green spaces absorb rainwater and reduce the risk of damage from floods and floodwater.

HARBOR WATERWAYS. The view from Ekeberg where the Alna River flows into the harbor. The outlet of the Alna River between Grønlia and Kongshavn marks the boundary between the city harbor and cargo harbor in Sydhavna. Drone photo: Bo Mathisen

 

Oslofjord is a hub for residential, recreational, and outdoor activities. The fjord is also a vital transport artery for people and cargo into Norway's most densely populated area.

Port of Oslo is responsible for supervising traffic in the municipality's waterways and managing the port's properties and facilities in an economically and environmentally sound manner. This includes protecting the ecological and biological diversity of the fjord and surrounding land.

Port of Oslo’s harbor promenade and buffer zones are planted with local species. The port also collaborates with stakeholders to develop the architectural design of its buildings.

Oslo Havn satser på en hel rekke nye innovasjoner innen søppelhåndtering og tiltak mot plast i havet. Noen innretninger er allerede i bruk, og noen er fortsatt i utvikling. Oslo Havn bidrar med finansiering og utprøving av utstyret.Edvin Kongsten Wibetoe er overingeniør i Oslo Havn KF og har oversikt over eksisterende og kommende tekniske løsninger i havna.– Jeg mener at Oslo Havn skal være i forkant av utviklingen, og at vi skal ta i bruk og være med på å utvikle innretninger som sørger for at mindre avfall havner i sjøen. Det som allerede er i sjøen, bør samles opp på en mest mulig effektiv måte. I dag har vi flere tiltak både på sjø og land som bidrar til dette, sier Edvin Kongsten WibetoeFoto: Geir Anders Rybakken Ørslien
RECOVERING SCOOTERS. Abandoned scooters litter piers and waterways. Collaboration with scooter rental companies needs improvement. Photo: Geir Anders Rybakken Ørslien

 

Flowerbeds and local species

The harbor’s green spaces include flowerbeds planted with local species. Some of these are found only in the harbor, and the islands of inner Oslofjord. Port of Oslo is well aware of the importance of these species and sharing its knowledge about them. The port has removed unwanted species such as South African ragwort and Asian knotweed to help protect endangered species in its green spaces.

GREEN THUMB. Odd from port services maintains the harbor’s green spaces. Removing climbing plants from the slope beside Akershus Fort helps protect a rare species, the cylinder snail. Photo: Marthe Landsem

 

Port of Oslo has established buffer zones and parks planted with local species in Bekkelagsbadet at Ormsund, Trettenparken at Filipstad, Gastenparken at Akershusstranda, and the buffer zone at the far end of Sjursøya. A new buffer zone will be established on Grønlia across from Sørenga.

Gastenparken åpnet september 2019https://kommunikasjon.ntb.no/pressemelding/gasten-onsker-velkommen-til-ny-park?publisherId=4639457&releaseId=17870823
FRESH BREEZE ON THE HARBOR PROMENADE. Gastenparken is accessible to the public and home to the Orlogsgast memorial which honors those who served in the Common Fleet, (1510-1814), and the Royal Norwegian Navy (1814-1945). Photo: Marthe Landsem

 

Remediating the seabed

Emissions from industry, run-off from the city, and dumping of waste throughout the 20th century led to high concentrations of environmental toxins on the seabed of inner Oslofjord.  

Port of Oslo led Norway's first and largest remediation of the seabed in Oslo's inner harbor from 2006 to 2008. The municipality’s, Clean Oslofjord Project removed contaminated material from the harbor basin for the benefit of the city's population and life in the fjord. Preventing new pollutants from entering the fjord remains a challenge.

SEAFRONT SWIM. The harbor promenade features many bathing places. At Sørenga, residents and visitors enjoy swimming in a cleaner fjord. Photo: Visit Oslo, Thomas Johanessen

 

Collaborating for cleaner water in Oslofjord

Water flowing through the city carries pollutants from human activity including microplastic from tires, metals from water used to clean roads, or environmental toxins from paint and buildings. It all eventually empties into the fjord and its seabed.

Port of Oslo takes samples from water channels and sand traps to find potential sources of pollution. Contaminated channels are emptied to prevent heavy metals and oil from flowing into the fjord. Systematic removal of fender decks along the quays reduces microplastics in the fjord.

Bilder fra Tv-aksjonen 2020. Rydding av søppel i havnebassenget.Oslo  Havns arbeidsbåt Hauk ble benyttet til å trekke opp søpla frivillige dykkere hadde samlet sammen i forbindelse med årets tv-aksjon.
REMOVING HARBOR WASTE. Port of Oslo participated in a televised clean-up campaign in 2020. Several tonnes of rubbish were collected, and funds were raised to support the fight against plastic in the sea. Photo: H.K Riise

 

The Norwegian Environment Agency's comprehensive plan, A Clean and Rich Oslofjord promotes an active, outdoor lifestyle, and supports responsible environmental stewardship of the fjord. Several municipal agencies are collaborating to identify and reduce sources of new pollution from the city.

The Urban Environment Agency coordinates the effort to improve the ecology of the city's waterways. Port of Oslo contributes to the inter-municipal partnership, Water Area Oslo that is focused on improving water quality in Oslofjord.