2025-06-182024/25:TU15 · p.6TUTransport & infrastructure
Certain Issues Concerning Ports
National port strategy and port infrastructure
What's at stake: The decision affects how ports' role in freight transport, supply and preparedness is handled going forward, which concerns port owners, transport buyers and the towns that depend on shipping links.
Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.
What the vote decides
The question is whether the Riksdag should call for a proactive national port strategy and further state initiatives on port infrastructure, or whether ongoing work under the freight transport strategy and the national shipping coordinator is sufficient.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee highlights ports' importance for shipping and the freight transport system and notes that work under the freight transport strategy and the national coordinator for domestic and short-sea shipping, together with ongoing initiatives on dry ports and preparedness, already addresses these issues, and therefore rejects the motions for a dedicated port strategy.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 14 (S)
The dissenter wants the government to draw up a proactive national port strategy, arguing that Sweden's more than 50 ports are crucial for the country's supply, preparedness and competitiveness, and that good infrastructure to and from the ports needs to be developed.
Summarised from the committee report. Party labels in the summary come from the report, not from the vote.
What do the votes mean here?
Yes The committee proposal: rejecting the motions (keeping things as they are).
No Backing the counter-proposal: reservation 14 by S.
Abstain The party marks a position of its own that is not one of the two final alternatives.
What each plan points to — and how the party voted
For each party: the vote its own election manifesto and party programme point to in this case, next to how the party actually voted. A plan can only point to Yes or No; a party can also abstain.
| Plan | Vote | Confidence | Evidence | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | No | Yes 20/0/0/4 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| S | No | No 0/92/0/14 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| MP | No | Yes 15/0/0/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| C | No | Abstain 0/0/20/4 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| L | No | Yes 14/0/0/2 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| KD | No | Yes 16/0/0/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| M | No | Yes 59/0/0/9 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| SD | No | Abstain 0/0/63/9 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
Committee proposal
The Riksdag rejects the motions 2024/25:1160 by Magnus Jacobsson (KD), 2024/25:1407 by Björn Söder et al. (SD) point 14, 2024/25:1425 by Thomas Morell et al. (SD) point 17, 2024/25:2167 by Teresa Carvalho et al. (S), 2024/25:2212 by Fredrik Lundh Sammeli (S), 2024/25:2232 by Johanna Rantsi (M), 2024/25:2947 by Ulrika Heie et al. (C) point 55, 2024/25:3126 by Gunilla Svantorp et al. (S) points 70 and 71 and 2024/25:3236 by Gunilla Svantorp et al. (S) point 33.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motionerna 2024/25:1160 av Magnus Jacobsson (KD), 2024/25:1407 av Björn Söder m.fl. (SD) yrkande 14, 2024/25:1425 av Thomas Morell m.fl. (SD) yrkande 17, 2024/25:2167 av Teresa Carvalho m.fl. (S), 2024/25:2212 av Fredrik Lundh Sammeli (S), 2024/25:2232 av Johanna Rantsi (M), 2024/25:2947 av Ulrika Heie m.fl. (C) yrkande 55, 2024/25:3126 av Gunilla Svantorp m.fl. (S) yrkandena 70 och 71 samt 2024/25:3236 av Gunilla Svantorp m.fl. (S) yrkande 33.
Riksdag decision: The Riksdag has considered the government's letter regarding the National Audit Office's report on the state's efforts to reduce shipping emissions of harmful substances into the sea. The National Audit Office finds that the environment in Swedish waters is heavily burdened and does not achieve good environmental status. If extensive measures are not taken, it is expected to have negative consequences for both the environment and society. The National Audit Office's recommendations to the government include, among other things, introducing a ban as soon as possible on discharges of so-called scrubber water, that is, wash water from ships' exhaust gas cleaning systems, in Sweden's entire territorial waters. In its letter, the government essentially agrees with the National Audit Office's recommendations and has implemented or plans measures to address issues covered by the recommendations. The Riksdag filed the government's letter and concluded the matter. The Riksdag also rejected 80 proposals in motions on maritime issues from the regular motion period 2024. In part by reference to planned or already implemented measures and ongoing work. The proposals cover, for example, Swedish shipping competitiveness, icebreaking, environmental issues and recreational boating matters.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants the government to actively work against ship flagging out to maintain a strong Swedish shipping industry. (S) — Reservation 14
Plan vs actual vote
Every party, in chamber order: what its own plan pointed to, how it voted, and the reasoning behind both. Highlighted rows are where the two differ — but a vote that follows the plan is a result too, so the reasoning is there for every party.
The plan requires that the state increases its control over infrastructure and that the transport system is planned long-term and coordinated, which is precisely what a national port strategy means.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires that the state increases its control over infrastructure and that the transport system is planned long-term and coordinated, which is precisely what a national port strategy means. Since the plan wants to direct heavy transport to sustainable shipping, the infrastructure to and from the ports must also be built out systematically. The plan's requirement for a robust society with deliberate strategies for economic development also supports the civil defence argument.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver att staten ökar sin kontroll över infrastruktur och att transportsystemet planeras långsiktigt och samordnat, vilket är just vad en nationell hamnstrategi innebär. Eftersom planen vill styra tunga transporter till hållbar sjöfart måste också infrastrukturen till och från hamnarna byggas ut planmässigt. Planens krav på ett robust samhälle med medvetna strategier för den ekonomiska utvecklingen stöder även beredskapsargumentet.
- state control over infrastructuredecisive»Staten måste öka sin kontroll över infrastruktur och resurser som behövs för att genomföra klimatomställningen.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The state must increase its control over infrastructure and resources needed to implement the climate transition.”
- long-term transport investment plan»Det behövs en omfattande och långsiktig investeringsplan för det« (party programme ↗)“There is a need for a comprehensive and long-term investment plan for”
- goods to shipping and rail»Tunga transporter behöver styras till järnväg och hållbar sjöfart.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Heavy transport needs to be directed to rail and sustainable shipping.”
- strategies for robust civil defence»medvetna strategier för landets ekonomiska utveckling är viktiga delar av det« (party programme ↗)“deliberate strategies for the country's economic development are important parts of”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan requires strong infrastructure for strengthened preparedness and infrastructure that enables transport of goods across the entire country, which is exactly what a national port strategy shall secure.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires strong infrastructure for strengthened preparedness and infrastructure that enables transport of goods across the entire country, which is exactly what a national port strategy shall secure. The party programme additionally wants democratic control over societal critical functions, which speaks for a unified government grip on the ports rather than letting the market decide. The competitiveness argument is supported by the commitment to strong competitiveness for increased growth. Port strategy is not mentioned explicitly.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver en stark infrastruktur för stärkt beredskap och infrastruktur som möjliggör transporter av varor över hela landet, vilket är just det en nationell hamnstrategi ska säkra. Partiprogrammet vill dessutom ha demokratisk kontroll över samhällsviktiga funktioner, vilket talar för ett samlat statligt grepp om hamnarna snarare än att låta marknaden avgöra. Konkurrenskraftsargumentet stöds av åtagandet om stark konkurrenskraft för ökad tillväxt. Hamnstrategi nämns inte uttryckligen.
- infrastructure for preparednessdecisive»Stark infrastruktur för stärkt beredskap.« (party programme ↗)“Strong infrastructure for strengthened preparedness.”
- goods transport across the country»Infrastruktur som möjliggör människors resande och transporter av varor« (party programme ↗)“Infrastructure that enables people's travel and transport of goods”
- public control of key functions»Demokratisk kontroll över välfärden och samhällsviktiga funktioner.« (party programme ↗)“Democratic control over welfare and societal critical functions.”
- strengthened competitiveness»Innovationskraft, gott företagsklimat och stark konkurrenskraft för ökad tillväxt.« (party programme ↗)“Innovative capacity, good business climate and strong competitiveness for increased growth.”
The plan gives society the responsibility to direct and expand infrastructure systems and wants to develop maritime shipping and combined terminals so that cargo moves from road, which argues for a comprehensive national port strategy.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan gives society the responsibility to direct and expand infrastructure systems and wants to develop maritime shipping and combined terminals so that cargo moves from road, which argues for a comprehensive national port strategy. The ports are explicitly pointed out as an asset for energy-efficient transport chains, and the election manifesto wants to increase civil emergency preparedness, which corresponds to the counter-proposal's supply and preparedness rationale. The plan therefore supports the demand, with the reservation that connecting infrastructure should be railway rather than increased lorry traffic.
Original (Swedish)
Planen ger samhället ansvaret för att styra och bygga ut infrastruktursystemen och vill utveckla sjöfart och kombiterminaler så att godset flyttas från väg, vilket talar för en samlad nationell hamnstrategi. Hamnarna pekas uttryckligen ut som en tillgång för energieffektiva transportkedjor, och valmanifestet vill höja krisberedskapen, vilket motsvarar motförslagets försörjnings- och beredskapsskäl. Planen stöder därför kravet, med förbehållet att anslutande infrastruktur bör vara järnväg snarare än ökad lastbilstrafik.
- state responsibility for infrastructuredecisive»Samhället måste själv styra och stå för utbyggnad av infrastruktursystemen.« (party programme ↗)“Society must itself direct and provide for the expansion of infrastructure systems.”
- develop maritime shipping and combined terminals»Vi vill bygga ut och utveckla järnväg, sjöfart och kombiterminaler så att godstransporter på väg kan minska.« (party programme ↗)“We want to expand and develop railway, maritime shipping and combined terminals so that cargo transport on road can decrease.”
- ports' role in the transport system»Sverige har en lång kust med väl fungerande hamnar som ger goda förutsättningar att förbättra energieffektiviteten genom att kombinera land och sjötransporter.« (party programme ↗)“Sweden has a long coast with well-functioning ports that provide good opportunities to improve energy efficiency by combining land and sea transport.”
- strengthened civil emergency preparedness»satsa en större andel av försvarets pengar på det civila försvaret, och öka anslagen till krisberedskap.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“allocate a larger share of defence funding to civil defence and increase appropriations for emergency preparedness.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan commits to strengthening civil defence and society's preparedness for war and crisis and securing reliable infrastructure across the country, which are exactly the reasons the counter-proposal gives for a national port strategy.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan commits to strengthening civil defence and society's preparedness for war and crisis and securing reliable infrastructure across the country, which are exactly the reasons the counter-proposal gives for a national port strategy. It also wants more to be done for the shipping sector's transition and competitiveness and highlights the significance of supply in crisis. The plan does not mention ports and a port strategy, so the position is inferred and uncertain, but the nearest commitment points toward support.
Original (Swedish)
Planen åtar sig att rusta civilförsvaret och samhällets beredskap inför krig och kris och att säkra en pålitlig infrastruktur i hela landet, vilket är just de skäl motförslaget anför för en nationell hamnstrategi. Den vill också att mer görs för sjöfartens omställning och konkurrenskraft, och lyfter försörjningens betydelse i kris. Planen nämner inte hamnar och en hamnstrategi, så ställningstagandet är härlett och osäkert, men det närmaste åtagandet pekar mot stöd.
- strengthen civil preparednessdecisive»Även det civila försvaret är livsviktigt. Vi måste rusta civilförsvaret och samhällets beredskap inför krig och kris.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Civil defence is also vital. We must strengthen civil defence and society's preparedness for war and crisis.”
- reliable infrastructure across the country»För att Sveriges företag även fortsättningsvis ska kunna leverera produkter, tjänster och jobb i världsklass krävs en pålitlig infrastruktur i hela landet, satsningar på forskning och utveckling och krafttag mot brott emot företag.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“For Sweden's companies to continue delivering world-class products, services, and jobs requires reliable infrastructure across the country, investments in research and development, and measures against crime against companies.”
- strengthened competitiveness for shipping»Mer behöver göras för att flyget, sjöfarten och jordbruket ska kunna ställa om till förnybara drivmedel med stärkt konkurrenskraft.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“More must be done so that aviation, shipping, and agriculture can transition to renewable fuels with strengthened competitiveness.”
- supply security in crisis»Den är viktig i goda tider och livsviktig i händelse av krig eller kris.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“It is important in good times and vital in the event of war or crisis.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan emphasizes the role of maritime transport in infrastructure and requires continued large investments in infrastructure.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan emphasizes the role of maritime transport in infrastructure and requires continued large investments in infrastructure. It also explicitly sees ports as strategic assets with security policy significance and wants the civil defence to be strengthened in pace with the military. A coordinated national port strategy for supply, preparedness and competitiveness thereby aligns with the plan.
Original (Swedish)
Planen betonar sjötransporternas roll i infrastrukturen och kräver fortsatt stora investeringar i infrastruktur. Den ser dessutom uttryckligen hamnar som strategiska tillgångar med säkerhetspolitisk betydelse och vill att det civila försvaret stärks i takt med det militära. En samlad nationell hamnstrategi för försörjning, beredskap och konkurrenskraft ligger därmed i linje med planen.
- maritime transport as part of infrastructuredecisive»Goda möjligheter till sjötransporter är ett viktigt inslag i infrastrukturen.« (party programme ↗)“Good opportunities for maritime transport are an important part of infrastructure.”
- ports as a security issue»demokratiska länder, till exempel hamnar, elnät eller liknande, måste ses i ett säkerhetspolitiskt« (party programme ↗)“democratic countries, for example ports, power grids or similar, must be seen in a security policy”
- large infrastructure investments»Sverige behöver fortsatt stora investeringar i infrastruktur.« (party programme ↗)“Sweden needs continued large investments in infrastructure.”
- strengthened civil defence»det civila försvaret stärkas i samma takt som det militära« (2022 manifesto ↗)“the civil defence is strengthened at the same pace as the military”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan places clear state responsibility for keeping the investment level in communication systems' infrastructure such as roads, railways and electronic communications channels at a long-term high level and for national transport systems that do not come about on purely commercial grounds.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan places clear state responsibility for keeping the investment level in communication systems' infrastructure such as roads, railways and electronic communications channels at a long-term high level and for national transport systems that do not come about on purely commercial grounds. A national harbour strategy is such a comprehensive state effort and simultaneously strengthens conditions for the shipping nation. The counter-proposal's demands thereby align with the plan's infrastructure responsibility.
Original (Swedish)
Planen lägger ett tydligt statligt ansvar för att investeringsnivån i kommunikationssystemens infrastruktur hålls långsiktigt hög och för nationella transportsystem som inte kommer till stånd på rent kommersiella grunder. En nationell hamnstrategi är ett sådant sammanhållet statligt grepp och stärker samtidigt sjöfartsnationens villkor. Motförslagets krav ligger därför i linje med planens infrastrukturansvar.
- state infrastructure responsibilitydecisive»Staten har ansvar för att investeringsnivån i kommunikationssystemens infrastruktur såsom vägar, järnvägar och elektroniska kommunikationskanaler hålls på en långsiktigt hög nivå« (party programme ↗)“The state has responsibility for keeping the investment level in communication systems' infrastructure such as roads, railways and electronic communications channels at a long-term high level”
- strong shipping nation»Sveriges ställning som sjöfartsnation bör vara stark genom långsiktiga och konkurrenskraftiga villkor.« (party programme ↗)“Sweden's position as a shipping nation should be strong through long-term and competitive conditions.”
- the state maintains national systems»Staten har ett ansvar att upprätthålla ett system av nationella och regionala flygplatser liksom regionalt betydelsefull flygtrafik som inte kommer till stånd på kommersiella grunder.« (party programme ↗)“The state has a responsibility to maintain a system of national and regional airports as well as regionally significant air traffic that does not come about on commercial grounds.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan explicitly links the new security situation to the need for reduced vulnerability, long-term planning of civil defence and investments in maritime infrastructure, including a renewed icebreaker fleet.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan explicitly links the new security situation to the need for reduced vulnerability, long-term planning of civil defence and investments in maritime infrastructure, including a renewed icebreaker fleet. A national port strategy based on supply, preparedness and competitiveness aligns with these commitments. The plan thus supports the counter-proposal's demands.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kopplar uttryckligen samman det nya säkerhetsläget med behovet av minskad sårbarhet, långsiktig planering av det civila försvaret och satsningar på sjöfartens infrastruktur, bland annat en förnyad isbrytarflotta. En nationell hamnstrategi som utgår från försörjning, beredskap och konkurrenskraft ligger i linje med dessa åtaganden. Planen ger därmed stöd åt motförslagets krav.
- reduced vulnerability, increased self-sufficiencydecisive»Det nya säkerhetsläget i Europa gör att vi som land måste minska vår sårbarhet och öka vår självförsörjningsgrad.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The new security situation in Europe means that we as a nation must reduce our vulnerability and increase our self-sufficiency.”
- long-term civil preparedness»Säkra en långsiktig planering för det civila försvaret« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Secure long-term planning for civil defence”
- maritime infrastructure»Förnya flottan av isbrytare för att underlätta för industrin i norra Sverige« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Renew the icebreaker fleet to facilitate industry in northern Sweden”
- national infrastructure prioritization»Klassa bredband som nationell infrastruktur och prioritera därefter« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Classify broadband as national infrastructure and prioritize accordingly”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan highlights the ports as an important part of Sweden's imports and exports and demands good roads and railways to and from the ports.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan highlights the ports as an important part of Sweden's imports and exports and demands good roads and railways to and from the ports. An offensive national port strategy directly responds to that commitment and to the plan's demands for increased self-sufficiency in critical goods. The counter-proposal's justification about supply and preparedness lies close to the plan's crisis preparedness section.
Original (Swedish)
Planen lyfter fram hamnarna som en viktig del av Sveriges import och export och kräver bra vägar och järnvägar till och från hamnarna. En offensiv nationell hamnstrategi svarar direkt mot det åtagandet och mot planens krav på ökad självförsörjningsgrad av kritiska varor. Motförslagets motivering om försörjning och beredskap ligger nära planens krisberedskapsavsnitt.
- importance of portsdecisive»Hamnar och sjöfarten är en viktig del i Sveriges import och export.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Ports and shipping are an important part of Sweden's imports and exports.”
- infrastructure to ports»För att logistiken ska ske snabbt och effektivt behövs bra vägar och järnvägar till och från hamnarna.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“For logistics to happen quickly and efficiently, good roads and railways to and from the ports are needed.”
- supply preparedness»Öka den svenska självförsörjningsgraden av kritiska produkter och varor« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Increase Swedish self-sufficiency in critical products and goods”
- strengthened shipping»Stärka svensk sjöfart« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Strengthen Swedish shipping”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
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Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2024/25:TU15)
- Committee report full text (HC01TU15)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2024/25:1160 — Kålvik - ett utvecklingsområde för havsbaserad vindkraft av Magnus Jacobsson (KD)
- Motion 2024/25:1407 — Civilt försvar av Björn Söder m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1425 — En konkurrenskraftig svensk sjöfart av Thomas Morell m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1757 — Förbud mot skrubbervatten i svenska vatten och hamnar av Kenneth G Forslund och Paula Örn (båda S)
- Motion 2024/25:2024 — En stärkt svensk sjöfartsnäring av Mats Green (M)
- Motion 2024/25:2167 — En hamnstrategi för Sverige av Teresa Carvalho m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2024/25:2212 — Nationell hamnstrategi av Fredrik Lundh Sammeli (S)
- Motion 2024/25:2232 — Gör fler hamnar till gränsövergångsställen av Johanna Rantsi (M)
- Motion 2024/25:2308 — Gotlandstrafiken av Hanna Westerén och Laila Naraghi (båda S)
- Motion 2024/25:2360 — Gotländsk färjetrafik av Jesper Skalberg Karlsson (M)
- Motion 2024/25:2441 — Industrins behov av fungerande transportinfrastruktur i hela norra Sverige av Isak From m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2024/25:2486 — Vatten, hav och fiske av Stina Larsson m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2024/25:2488 — Båtregister för fritidsbåtar av Sanne Lennström (S)
- Motion 2024/25:2613 — En grön klimathandlingsplan för Sverige 2025 av Elin Söderberg m.fl. (MP)
- Motion 2024/25:2947 — En infrastruktur som fungerar i hela landet av Ulrika Heie m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2024/25:2978 — Satsningar på Stockholms skärgård av Markus Wiechel m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:3011 — Kunskaps- och säkerhetskrav för framförandet av vissa fritidsbåtar av Markus Wiechel (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:3037 — Kraftsamling för levande hav och vatten av Daniel Helldén m.fl. (MP)
- Motion 2024/25:3109 — Utgiftsområde 20 Klimat, miljö och natur av Anna-Caren Sätherberg m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2024/25:3126 — Transportpolitik som bygger ett starkt och rättvist samhälle av Gunilla Svantorp m.fl. (S)
Source: The Swedish Parliament