Project Update
OSCE Study Visit to the Port of Hamburg brings together Central Asian and South Caucasus port representatives to explore approaches to greener and more climate-resilient ports
- Issued on:
- Issued by:
- Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, Personal Representatives of the Chairperson-in-Office
- Fields of work:
- Environmental activities
Ports are facing a changing operating environment: pressure to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is increasing, while climate-related risks are already affecting infrastructure and operations. Against this backdrop, the OSCE Office of the Co-ordinator of Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) brought together senior port representatives from Georgia, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan to Germany from 20 to 24 September for a study visit to the Port of Hamburg.
Supported by RINA and Hamburg Port Consulting (HPC), the visit combined technical discussions, site visits to three major container terminals and an exchange of experience among participating ports. The programme began with the GHG Accounting Framework, including approaches to measuring and reporting Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, followed by discussions on energy-efficient port operations, decarbonization and infrastructure planning.
At the Container Terminal Burchardkai (CTB), participants explored the practical application and installation of Onshore Power Supply (OPS), which enables vessels to use electricity while at berth. At the Container Terminal Tollerort (CTT), participants visited a Hydrogen Test Field and examined the filling station and hydrogen-powered terminal equipment, including a terminal tractor, straddle carrier and empty container handler. At the automated Container Terminal Altenwerder (CTA), participants discussed the terminal’s operating concept and measures used to reduce emissions and improve sustainability.
A central part of the visit was the exchange among the participating ports. Representatives discussed climate-related risks affecting their respective operating environments, comparing which risks are currently considered priorities, what measures are already being implemented, and where additional technologies or actions are being considered. The discussions highlighted that, while the challenges differ across port environments, several priorities are shared.
These exchanges provided a basis for further technical co-operation and knowledge-sharing on climate resilience, decarbonization, energy efficiency, and sustainable and digital solutions in port operations. The site visits also offered concrete examples of technologies and approaches that could be considered and adapted to other port contexts.
The experience and lessons shared during the visit will support continued dialogue among beneficiary ports and inform further work under the project on strengthening the sustainability and climate resilience of port infrastructure and operations.
The activity was implemented in partnership with RINA and Hamburg Port Consulting (HPC) and is part of the OSCE ExB project on Promoting green ports and connectivity in the Caspian Sea region, funded by Germany and Italy.