The Dry Port Concept - Application in Sweden

The dry port concept is based on a seaport directly connected with inland intermodal terminals where shippers can leave and/or collect their goods in intermodal loading units as if directly to the seaport. The seaport and the inland terminals, here denoted dry ports, are connected with high capacity traffic modes, such as rail, rather than only with road. Apart from transhipment that a conventional inland intermodal terminal provides, services like storage, consolidation, depot, maintenance of containers and custom clearance are usually available at dry ports as well. The hypothesis is that a carefully applied dry port concept can shift freight volumes from road to more energy efficient traffic modes that are less harmful to the environment and reduce road congestion in a seaport. The purpose of this article is to describe the dry port concept and to identify and categorize existing and potential dry ports for the port of Gothenburg, Sweden. The benefits of the dry port implementation are defined from the perspectives of the actors involved such as seaports, rail and road operators, shippers, local authorities and the society as a whole.