For small and medium-sized ports, one of the biggest questions in the green transition is what to change first. Developed as part of the international DigiTechPort2030 project, the free online Green Energy Transition Tool helps ports find answers based on their own data, assessing energy consumption, CO₂ emissions and readiness for change.
“For smaller ports, choosing the right technologies and identifying which measures would have the greatest impact and justify future investments can be particularly challenging. The tool we have developed allows ports to start with their own data and compare potential transition scenarios. This is especially important for smaller ports, as broader industry trends often reflect the circumstances of major ports rather than those of smaller ones,” says Erika Zavackienė, DigiTechPort2030 Project Manager and representative of Klaipeda Science and Technology Park.
The tool is publicly available to small and medium-sized ports. By entering their port data, users can obtain a green transition readiness score and model three transition scenarios, ranging from a more cautious approach to a more ambitious one. The results include projections of changes in the energy mix and CO₂ emissions, key performance indicators and preliminary financial estimates.
Working with real port data
The solutions developed within DigiTechPort2030 were designed and tested using real port operational, energy consumption and telemetry data. Four case studies were examined in detail: Euro-Terminal Świnoujście in Poland, the Port of Karlshamn in Sweden, the Port of Klaipeda in Lithuania and the Port of Elbląg in Poland.
The pilot cases explored different approaches to port decarbonisation. In Świnoujście and Karlshamn, the focus was on cargo-handling equipment electrification and energy consumption. In Klaipeda, the work centred on applying digital twin technology to vessel arrivals and port operations, while the Elbląg pilot examined the integration of solar energy.
Earlier research conducted within the project also highlighted the need for data-driven decision-making. A survey of more than 80 organisations representing maritime transport, energy, ports and related sectors found that only slightly more than half had a long-term strategy covering sustainable development and the transition to green energy. For decision-makers, knowing which technologies are available is therefore only part of the challenge. They also need a way to assess how relevant those technologies are to the specific needs of their ports.
Assessing readiness and exploring transition scenarios
The Green Energy Transition Tool assesses port readiness across five areas: strategy, management, infrastructure, equipment and operational readiness, and external stakeholder involvement. Users can also explore specific transition measures, including cargo-handling equipment electrification, renewable energy integration, shore power for vessels at berth, smarter energy management and readiness for alternative fuels.
The tool’s methodology is publicly available, explaining how emissions, energy consumption and readiness indicators are calculated. Ports can also compare their results anonymously against aggregated benchmarks from other ports using the platform.
The results are intended to help port operators evaluate possible transition scenarios and make more informed decisions. However, a more detailed assessment is recommended before making investment decisions.
Klaipeda’s contribution to solutions for small and medium-sized ports
Within DigiTechPort2030, Klaipeda Science and Technology Park was responsible for bringing together the results of different project activities to support the development of the Green Energy Harmonisation Toolbox – a set of practical tools designed to assist small and medium-sized ports in their green energy transition.
The project aimed to ensure that the methods developed could be applied not only in the pilot ports but also in other ports across the South Baltic region and Europe. One of the tools included in the toolbox is the Green Energy Transition Tool, which enables port operators to carry out an initial assessment independently. It is free to use and requires no specialised software.
The Green Energy Transition Tool, its methodology, DigiTechPort2030 research reports and other project results are available on the project website, smallports.eu.
The DigiTechPort2030 project was implemented under the Interreg South Baltic Programme 2021–2027 and co-financed by the European Union.
The authors are solely responsible for the content of this publication. It does not necessarily represent the views or official position of the European Union, the Managing Authority or the Joint Secretariat of the Interreg South Baltic Programme 2021–2027.
