The Swedish port of Gothenburg, the Nordic region’s largest port, is to create a new 1 million m² logistics park with industry partners. It is expected to generate more than 2,000 jobs and be completed by 2025.
Speaking to IHS Maritime, a port spokeswoman stated, “Gothenburg Port Authority will invest approximately SEK1 billion (USD122 million) and the other four land owners involved – NCC Property Development, Prologis Nordic, Eklandia Fastighets, and Bockasjö – about SEK3 billion.”
The park will be built directly adjacent to the port’s Hisingen freight terminals and Gothenburg CEO Magnus Kårestedt described the project as an enormous investment and a golden opportunity for every company looking to establish a warehouse directly beside the largest port in Scandinavia.
“There has, for a long time, been a shortage of land for logistics and distribution close to the port. Of the 1 million m² to be created, half the area will be transformed into storage and logistics properties over the next few years.
“Regardless of where in the park a company establishes its operations,” Kårestedt added, “it will never be more than 10 minutes away from the quayside, making it an ideal location for import companies requiring rapid, cost-effective transport from port to warehouse.
“More than 2,000 jobs will be created, mainly in warehousing, although there will also be openings for administrative staff,” Kårestedt continued. “Logistics is a prime business sector and the Port of Gothenburg Logistics Park will reinforce our position as the logistics capital of Sweden.”
The spokeswoman told IHS Maritime that basic infrastructure at the park, such as roads, rail, and power, will be built by, “A mixture of state-financed investments, plus investments made by the city of Gothenburg and also by us at the Port Authority as well as the other landowners.
“We will not form a joint venture with the other landowners,” she continued, “we own land in different parts of the park. But we have joined together in a marketing campaign.”
Gothenburg Port Authority has 440,000 m² of land in the park – 20,000 m² already available with 420,000 m² due to be developed commencing 2017. Plans include a high-rack warehouse with a ceiling height of up to 35 m as well as a network rail link to part of the area – Gothenburg currently has 25 daily rail shuttles.
Of the four other landowners:
• Bockasjö will offer 311,000 m² with scope to construct five large buildings with 160,000 m² of floor space – work will start in early 4Q/2015.
• Prologis Nordic has 130,000 m², has plans for three buildings, will start work in 4Q/2015 and expects to complete the first phase in 3Q/2016.
• NCC Property Development has 220,000 m² located directly beside the port entrance and is planning three energy-efficient logistics buildings, ranging from 3,000 m² to 30,000 m².
• Eklandia Fastighets has 127,000 m² of which about 60% can be developed – construction is scheduled to commence in 1Q/2016 with the first tenants moving in at the end of the year.
Gothenburg is currently the only port in Sweden with the capacity to receive the world’s largest container vessels and has just opened a 900 m quay extension to the container terminal operated by APM Terminals. The port also has terminals for oil, cars, ro-ro, and passengers.
This post was sourced from IHS Maritime 360: View the original article here.
