By Alfred Zacharia
The Port of Oslo in Norway is not just a shipping hub—it is also a model of environmental sustainability and innovation.
This message was shared by Mr. Ingvar Mathisen, Director General of the Port of Oslo, when he met with a Tanzanian delegation that visited the port recently.
The delegation was led by the Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office (Union and Environment), Mr. Hamad Yusuf Masauni.
The visit aimed to learn how the Port of Oslo protects the environment and reduces greenhouse gas emissions, especially from marine transport.
Speaking during the visit, Mr. Mathisen said the Port of Oslo operates as a smart, cross-cutting facility that does not emit greenhouse gases. “Our port is the third largest in the world in terms of smart ocean technology,” he noted.
He said the main goal of the Port of Oslo is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent by the year 2030. To achieve this, the port has shifted to clean energy systems and digital monitoring technologies.
Since 2018, the port has stopped receiving and operating fossil-fuel-powered vessels. All ships—whether for passengers, cargo, or leisure—must use electricity to operate within the port area. Any vessel that does not comply with this clean technology is charged an "Emission Fee." This fee is part of the port’s carbon trading system.
“This model shows that ports can play a key role in reducing emissions and driving the carbon economy,” said Mr. Mathisen.
Tanzania, which lies on the eastern coast of the Indian Ocean, has a long shoreline and several major and minor ports. The main ports include Dar es Salaam, Mtwara, and Tanga. There are also smaller ports such as Lindi, Kilwa Masoko, Mafia, Pangani, and Kwale. All these ports support transportation and trade using vessels that vary in their environmental impact.
With proper monitoring systems to detect how much greenhouse gas each vessel emits, Tanzanian authorities, in collaboration with the National Carbon Monitoring Centre (NCMC), can begin charging emission fees. This can open a new revenue stream through carbon trading.
During the study visit, the Tanzanian delegation explored various opportunities to improve environmental protection and management through the Blue Economy and Carbon Business. They expressed interest in adapting similar systems in Tanzania to support the country’s climate goals.
The visit to Oslo reflects Tanzania’s growing interest in using innovative solutions to address environmental challenges while also creating economic benefits. Through technology, smart regulations, and global partnerships, Tanzania is positioning itself to participate more actively in the global carbon market.