PortSHAZ

From 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2027, PortSHAZ addresses environmental hazards in dry bulk cargo operations across South Baltic ports, building on ongoing research.

Tackling regional environmental risks

Ports in the South Baltic handle over 45 million tonnes of dry bulk cargo annually. A 0.05% leak releases 22,500 tonnes of fertilizers and 2,250 tonnes of phosphorus each year, fueling eutrophication, algal blooms, hypoxia, and economic losses. The PortSHAZ project aims to cut leakages by up to 25%, reducing environmental and financial risks.

Typical problems include uncovered transfer points (hoppers, chutes, conveyors), insufficient drainage without filters, regulatory deficiencies under MARPOL Annex V (fertilizers not deemed harmful), and fragmented responsibilities among operators, authorities, and municipalities.

Joint framework across borders

Led by Elbląg Sea Port Authority Ltd. (Poland), the consortium includes Race For The Baltic (Sweden, initial designs and best practices), Coastal Research and Planning Institute (CORPI, Lithuania, hazard analysis), INWL Non-Profit Institute (Germany, logistics strategies), and Port of Vordingborg (Denmark, pilot testing and design improvement).

K2 Solutions drives technical innovation, spanning sites in Poland’s Pomorskie/Warminsko-Mazurskie, Sweden’s Sydsverige, Germany’s Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Lithuania’s Klaipeda, and Denmark.

K2 Solutions’ central contributions

K2 Solutions leads WP3’s CargoShield, managing research, prototyping, pilots (Elbląg, Rostock, Vordingborg), analysis, and recommendations. They designed the prevention cover with HDO/composite plywood, pine lattice, SBR lining, steel frames, swivel wheels, and a TK800 container, optimized for small ports and tough conditions. K2 coordinates pilots, refines designs using KPIs such as leakage reduction, and contributes to WP2 publications, including “Clean Ports,” supporting dissemination through workshops, networks, and guidelines. Stakeholder engagement with authorities, industry, and environmental groups fosters collaboration and smooth port implementation. Their hands-on work—from Gdansk prototypes to field testing—ensures practical, scalable solutions integrated into daily operations.

Ambitious scope and long-term reach

PortSHAZ’s phases span from early reviews (2024-2025) to strategies (2026-2027), aiming for regional adoption beyond partners. It tackles system barriers like underreporting, inertia, and funding gaps through data tools, training, and policy efforts (HELCOM BSAP, EU Water Framework Directive). Advances like CargoShield help close port leakage issues. By project end, expect validated tech, SOPs, and monitoring, with solutions scaled regionally and nationally to reduce hazards. A post-project plan ensures sustainability through local partnerships, training, supervision, and funding efforts. A task force and consortium members will regularly review and improve practices. K2 Solutions’ involvement helps PortSHAZ deliver lasting, eco-efficient improvements in the South Baltic.

The project is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

Budget of K2 Solutions: 223 250 EUR

Co-financing for K2 Solutions from ERDF: 178 600 EUR

The project is co-financed by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education under the Internationally Co-Financed Projects Programme (PWM).

Project title: Enhanced Eco-Efficient Cargo Operations /Zwiększenie Ekologicznej Efektywności Operacji Przeładunkowych

Project number: STHB.02.02-IP.01-0005/23-00

Co-financing for K2 Solutions from PWM: 174 921 PLN

Date of signing the contract: 12.09.2025