Gafle, Sweden
Gävle, Sweden’s oldest city in Norrland, is famed for its historic charm and the iconic Gävle Goat.
Port Overview
The Port of Gävle (also spelled Gefle) is located on the Gulf of Bothnia, approximately 170 km from Stockholm, making it strategically positioned to serve Sweden's capital region. It ranks as Sweden's third-largest container port and serves as an important logistics hub for regional maritime growth. The port receives about 1,000 ship visits annually and handles approximately 4.65 million tonnes of cargo. Its container terminal, which became operational in 2006, has the capacity to handle 180,000 TEU annually through two wharves spanning 350 meters.
Facilities & Infrastructure
Gävle, Sweden’s main port facilities include key terminals for containers, bulk cargo, and forest products. The port features modern cargo handling equipment such as ship-to-shore cranes, mobile harbor cranes, and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) for efficient container movement. Specialized terminals handle dry bulk, general cargo, and RoRo traffic, supported by extensive warehousing and rail connections for intermodal transport. The port is equipped for both import and export operations, serving regional and international markets.
Container Terminals
Gävle, Sweden’s main container terminal has 2 berths and a handling capacity of approximately 350,000 TEU per year. The terminal features a moderate level of automation, including automated gate systems and modern container handling equipment, but is not fully automated. The major operator is Yilport Gävle, which manages terminal operations and ongoing expansion projects to increase capacity and efficiency.
Port Services
- Container handling: Facilities for loading, unloading, and storage of containers, supporting both import and export operations.
- Cargo operations: Handling of general cargo, bulk, breakbulk, and project cargo, including efficient transfer between ship, rail, and road.
- Ship services: Provision of bunkering, fresh water supply, waste disposal, pilotage, and towage for vessels.
- Warehousing: On-site storage solutions for various cargo types, including temperature-controlled and secure warehousing.
- Customs: Full customs clearance and inspection services to facilitate international trade and cargo movement.
Global Connectivity
Gävle, Sweden maintains strong rail connectivity to the Port of Gothenburg, which serves as its primary gateway to international markets. The port-to-rail network enables Gävle to access direct shipping services to Asia and the United States through Gothenburg's container terminals. As part of Sweden's northern industrial region (Norrland), Gävle benefits from weekly rail freight services connecting to Gothenburg's extensive maritime network, supporting the region's export industries including steel production and manufacturing sectors with efficient access to global trade routes.
Port Statistics
Port of Gävle, Sweden
- TEU throughput: Approximately 300,000 TEU annually
- World ranking: Not ranked among the world’s top 100 container ports
- Number of berths: 9
- Total area: About 1.2 million m²
- Shipping lines: Served by major carriers including MSC, CMA CGM, Maersk, and Unifeeder
Gävle is a key east coast port for container and bulk cargo, offering modern facilities and regular feeder connections to major European hubs.
