2024 has been a record year for Westport, which is set to significantly expand its operations from the New Year. The company will take over as operator of Norway's third-largest container port, which will simultaneously become fully electric.
“We are proud to have won the contract for Port of Moss! Westport has developed a concept in Tananger that we know will also work elsewhere. Now we’re excited to get started in Moss,” says Kristian Løvaas, CEO of Westport.
The company was established in 2009 and is owned by NorSea and Stavangerregionen Havn IKS. Starting in the New Year, Westport will assume operations at Port of Moss, the country’s third-largest container port.
“We are making significant investments in Moss, primarily through the purchase of four large, electric specialty trucks for container handling, known as reach stackers. In total, we’re investing over 40 million NOK in new electric equipment, and we have big ambitions for the future.”
Port of Moss will become the country’s first fossil-free port. “This is a milestone that is important for Moss, the environment, and, of course, for us at Westport as we aim to achieve carbon neutrality at all locations by 2030,” explains Løvaas.
He is pleased with the company’s development in 2024.
“We’re setting several records in Tananger this year. Westport has never handled as much cargo as this year. This is primarily due to two new customers contributing significant volumes. Our agreement with Saltimport, which provides us with substantial work during the winter month, normally a low season, is particularly important. Additionally, we have extensive and growing pipe-handling operations for Sumitomo. The outlook for 2025 is positive, and we are excited about that,” says Løvaas, who joined Westport in January 2022.
The port in Tananger handles approximately 40,000 TEUs* annually, compared to 70,000 at Port of Moss. Unlike Tananger, Port of Moss is located in the city center. The operational area in Moss is very limited, requiring highly efficient operations.
In Tananger, Westport has just over 30 permanent employees, with two new hires joining in the New Year. Additionally, the company regularly employs ten temporary workers. Revenue is expected to exceed 110 million NOK in 2024.
*TEU is an abbreviation for “Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit,” based on the volume of a 20-foot container. These containers are 6.1 meters (20 feet) long and 2.4 meters (8 feet) wide.