Experts and the transport industry come together for the green transition: - We have a responsibility

But even though we have become more proficient in transporting energy-efficiently and sustainably over time, it still consumes energy.

On Thursday, September 14, Port of Aarhus, along with Danish Industries, Climate Alliance Aarhus, Danish Shipping Companies, Aarhus Transport Group and Danish Shipbrokers and Port Operators organized a conference where transportation professionals and other stakeholders could meet to help each other towards a greener future.

"It's easy to agree that the green transition is important. However, it can sometimes be difficult to figure out how to actually succeed in making your business greener. Therefore, I am proud that Port of Aarhus provides the venue for a meeting between the transportation industry, politicians, and experts, so we can help each other reach our goals," says Thomas Haber Borch, CEO of Port of Aarhus.

The conference featured a total of seven different speakers providing insights into how both people and goods can be transported more sustainably.

Various stakeholders provide broad knowledge

Among the speakers were Minister of Transport, Thomas Danielsen, Iva Ridjan Skov, a lecturer in energy planning and future energy systems at Aalborg University, and Kristian Durhuus, CEO of Molslinjen.

"There are many different stakeholders here. Both researchers, companies, politicians, and civil servants bring many different perspectives to the problem. I have also learned a lot from listening to the other speakers," says Kristian Durhuus after giving his own presentation.

During Molslinjen's CEO's presentation, he focused on how the ferries, which help thousands of Danes get around the country every day, should be propelled in the future.

We have not decided how the power should be produced and stored, but we will end up with electric ferries. Electric technology offers the highest energy efficiency and weighs the least when we need it on ferries. But we will need a very large electrical charging capacity both at the port in Aarhus and at Odden

— says Kristian Durhuus.

Another speaker at the conference was David Dupont-Mouritzen. He is the director of Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, and the message in his presentation was primarily about the importance of expanding the North Sea with offshore wind energy.

But offshore wind is not the only criterion for succeeding in achieving a greener transportation industry, according to the director.

"We need to bet on multiple horses at the same time. Having one solution that checks all the boxes is probably not the way forward. It's both electric ferries, it's methanol, and just around the corner, ammonia, so you need to be able to handle several different fuel types for different ship segments," says David Dupont-Mouritzen.

Networking and knowledge sharing are important

There is no doubt that there is a long, tough road ahead to reach the goal of complete green and sustainable goods and passenger transportation.

But there is reason to be optimistic.

We see a movement in the market and in the industry that is positive. Getting people together and gaining deep insights into the area, I believe, is super important and beneficial for further progress

— says David Dupont-Mouritzen.

Close to 80 people attended the conference, where, in addition to exciting presentations, ample time was set aside for networking.

Something as simple as exchanging phone numbers or email addresses can make a big difference.

"No one can know and do everything alone. At Port of Aarhus, we aim to be carbon neutral by 2030, so we gladly welcome advice from companies with experience in the field, just as we happily share our own. That's why it's important to meet across the industry," says Thomas Haber Borch.