The Five Biggest Scandinavian Container Ports

Scandinavia's ports play an essential role in European trade, acting as key nodes for goods moving to and from the region.

1. Port of Gothenburg (SEGOT)

Scandinavia's largest port, the Port of Gothenburg is a vital gateway for Swedish industries, facilitating trade with international markets.

• Location: The Port of Gothenburg is situated on the west coast of Sweden, in the Kattegat sea area, which connects to the North Sea. It is located in the city of Gothenburg, the second-largest city in Sweden.
• Annual Container Throughput: 914,000 TEU in 2023 (The Loadstar).
• Annual Bulk Cargo Volume: 439,000 tons in 2023 (The Loadstar).‍
• Key Commodities: Vehicles, machinery, forest products (cardboard and paper pulp).

2. Port of Aarhus (DKAAR)

Denmark’s largest port, the Port of Aarhus, is a crucial link to global trade routes, supporting the country's import and export activities.

• Location: The Port of Aarhus is located on the eastern coast of the Jutland peninsula in Denmark, facing the Kattegat sea. Aarhus is Denmark’s second-largest city and an important industrial hub.
• Annual Container Throughput: 673,781 TEU in 2023 (Maritime Executive)
• Annual Bulk Cargo Volume: 10.1 million tons in 2023, including containerized goods (Port of Aarhus).
• Key Commodities: Agricultural products, food, machinery.

3. Port of Oslo (NOOSL)

Central to Norway’s export economy, the Port of Oslo plays a significant role, especially for seafood and forest products heading to global markets.

• Location: The Port of Oslo is positioned on the southeastern coast of Norway, along the Oslofjord, which opens into the Skagerrak strait and connects to the North Sea. Oslo is the capital and largest city of Norway.
• Annual Container Throughput:  299,000 TEU in 2022 (Oslo Havn).
• Annual Bulk Cargo Volume: 1.7 million tons of dry bulk and 1.8 million tones of liquid bulk in 2022 (Oslo Havn).
• Key Commodities: Seafood, chemicals, machinery.

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4. Port of Helsinki (FIHEL)

The Port of Helsinki is a critical hub for trade with Russia and the Baltic states, renowned for its efficient container handling operations.

• Location: Located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, the Port of Helsinki connects directly to the Baltic Sea. Helsinki is the capital city and a central point for Finland’s maritime trade.
• Annual Container Throughput: 451,000 TEU in 2023 (Port of Helsinki).
• Annual Bulk Cargo Volume: 13.9 million tons in 2023 (Port of Helsinki).‍
• Key Commodities: Electronics, paper, timber.

5. Port of Bergen (NOBGN)

One of Norway's key ports for petroleum and seafood exports, the Port of Bergen is critical for the nation's energy and food supply chains.

• Location: The Port of Bergen is located on Norway’s southwestern coast, by the North Sea. It lies within the city of Bergen, a major maritime and energy industry hub.
• Annual Container Throughput: 33,278 TEU in 2023 (Bergen Havn).
• Annual Bulk Cargo Volume: 68 million tons total cargo volumes in 2023, including containerized goods (Bergen Havn).‍
• Key Commodities: Oil, gas, seafood.