The Port of Bergen celebrated its 290th anniversary this week. By 2026, all ships in the port will be connected to shore power. “It is the political community in Bergen that has set these requirements, and this is what makes us a world leader today,” said CEO Michal Forland from the stage.
On Monday, November 3, the Port of Bergen hosted a celebration marking its 290th anniversary. The port, which was established by royal decree in 1735, has served, among other things, as a key hub for the distribution of dried fish to the continent. Its collaboration with the Hanseatic League helped shape Bergen as a trading city at a time when it was one of the most important trading cities in the Nordic region and, at one point, the largest. Although the port is focused on the future and the green transition, its history remains significant for the city.
Representatives from the Norwegian Navy, Bergen’s municipal leadership, and a number of invited guests attended the ceremony. So did Kristina Hansen, State Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries and the Ocean, who opened the event. She highlighted the port’s history and its ambitions for the future.
– Europe needed the fish, but it was too far to transport it directly from Northern Norway to the continent. And Bergen was perfectly situated as a transshipment hub. “Thus, Bergen became the Hanseatic League’s northernmost outpost,” Hansen said. The Port of Bergen remains ambitious and forward-looking. The port aims to be emission-free by 2030 and to be one of Europe’s leaders in climate and environmental sustainability. “The Port of Bergen has shown that this is possible,” the state secretary said.
A key role
the governing mayor Christine Meyer also attended the celebration.
“The Port of Bergen plays a pivotal role, not only for the city, but also for the entire Western Norway region and for Norway,” said Christine Meyer, “ the governing mayor ” from the stage. “We in Bergen are very proud of the Port of Bergen’s role on the global stage when it comes to the green transition,” she added.
CEO Michal Forland emphasized from the stage that the Port of Bergen continues to leave no stone unturned in its efforts to achieve its zero-emissions goal.
“We require that ships calling at our port be able to use shore power. We hold ourselves to the same standards as we do the shipping companies, and our goal is for nearly all ships in the port to be using shore power by 2026,” Forland said.
Watch the anniversary video for the Port of Bergen at:
See a copy of the original “Transcript of the Bergen Port Minutes” from 1735 at:
