The socio-economic regional impacts of green ports

Abstract

This report examines the socio-economic regional impacts of the Mussalo port in Kotka as part of the project Smart Grid and Industrial Energy Community Pilot Platform in Mussalo, Kotka, funded by the Regional Council of Kymenlaakso and the European Union. The study combines a literature review on green, sustainable, and eco-port development with insights from nine semi-structured interviews conducted with representatives of HaminaKotka Port Ltd, Cursor Oy, and the cities of Kotka and Hamina. The literature review shows that green ports play a strategic role in regional development by supporting employment, innovation, improved environmental performance, enhanced community well-being, and stronger stakeholder collaboration. However, challenges remain with regard to stakeholder participation, knowledge and power asymmetries, and the need for integrated sustainability planning. The empirical findings demonstrate that the Mussalo port is a major economic engine and cultural symbol in the Kotka–Hamina region, historically intertwined with regional industrial development and now central to the ongoing green industrial transition, including battery production, hydrogen, renewable fuels, and circular economy solutions. The port generates significant employment in the region, contributes to municipal revenues, supports local services, and strengthens regional attractiveness for new investments. At the same time, interviewees identified negative impacts such as heavy traffic, land-use conflicts, environmental and safety concerns, and growing economic vulnerability linked to structural industrial changes. Limitations related to land availability, regulatory complexity, and uncertainty in future energy infrastructure were also highlighted. Stakeholder collaboration in the region is strong, focusing on issues such as investments, infrastructure, and planning. Despite high local acceptance of the port, tightened security regulations pose challenges for community engagement. The study also explores the feasibility of establishing an industrial energy community in the port. While stakeholders view the concept as promising – with potential benefits including cost savings, energy efficiency, industrial symbiosis, and enhanced sustainability branding – uncertainties around legislation, financial viability, stakeholder alignment, and role responsibilities pose significant challenges. Overall, Mussalo port holds strategic potential to advance regional socio-economic development and support the green transition. To maximise benefits, more systematic measurement of socio-economic impacts, early and inclusive stakeholder engagement, and clearer frameworks for collaborative energy solutions are recommended.