Sorting and recycling help reduce costs. Waste is a resource. Wastewater, for example, can be a source of biogas for transport. Industries with circular solutions, which include some of the port's customers, use maritime transport. The port can improve its ability to recirculate waste from operations.
Waste from ships
Port of Oslo is responsible for ensuring the proper handling and delivery of waste from ships. This includes a broad variety of waste from many different types of vessels. To manage waste effectively, the port needs to work with suppliers who provide good service and flexible solutions.
Cruise ships are the largest dischargers of waste in Port of Oslo. They pay a fixed fee for waste disposal, based on the number of passengers.
The port accepts a variety of waste from ships with additional charges applied for discharging specific types of hazardous waste. Some shippers are better at sorting waste than others. All residual waste from ships is incinerated and used for energy recovery. Port of Oslo has published a pictorial guide to encourage shippers to sort more of their waste.
Waste along the harbor promenade
During the summer months, Port of Oslo empties the garbage bins along the harbor promenade more often. Despite this extra effort, garbage litters the waterways. The Urban Environment Agency reports similar challenges at swimming sites throughout the municipality.
In 2020, Port of Oslo launched a fully electric environmental boat, Pelikan 2, specially designed to collect floating waste. The boat makes a daily environmental circuit and removes floating waste from the harbor’s waterways.
To help fulfill Oslo Municipality's, Action plan to combat plastic in Oslo Fjord 2019-2020, Port of Oslo is phasing out its use of disposable plastic, prioritizing repairs and reuse, and using Pelikan 2 to remove floating waste from the harbor. The action plan focuses on collecting plastic and aims to stop plastic waste from entering the harbor and Oslo Fjord.
Maritime sewage and wastewater
Sewage and nutrient salts from land reduce oxygen in the water. All life, including underwater life, needs oxygen. Collaboration with the Water and Sewerage Authority and the Council for Water and Sewage Technology contributes to cleaner water in the fjord.
National regulations forbid the discharge of sewage within 300 meters of the shore. Municipalities may choose to adopt stricter requirements. Nesodden municipality, for example, does not allow any sewage to be discharged in its waterways.
Cruise ships clean their sewage on board. The newest ships can convert seawater to drinking water.
Port of Oslo has installed discharge solutions for cruise ships and charter boats berthing at Søndre Akershuskai. Effective sewage handling solutions in the port can contribute to increased discharge of sewage. Port of Oslo will increase capacity to handle sewage as quays are upgraded. Oslo Port Control accepts orders for sewage discharge and wastewater in Port of Oslo.
Waste management in the Port of Oslo
Port of Oslo offers a variety of discharge and waste solutions for vessels in the harbor. For services and prices for waste management.
Reuse of materials
Port of Oslo will focus on reusing materials, everything from cobblestones to office furniture.
The port reused furniture when its headquarters, Skur 38, was renovated in 2022. A digital portal, Workplace, was used to host flea markets, and facilitate the donation of furniture and equipment to people in the municipality.
- The easiest thing would have been to order a dumpster and be done with it. That is not sustainable and therefore unacceptable for Port of Oslo. This relocation project has shown us that with effort and imagination it is possible to reuse most things, says Åsa Nes, Property Director, Port of Oslo.