Port of Helsingborg to host Global Safety Conference – General Stevedoring Council selects Sweden for 2025 meeting

The Port of Helsingborg will host the General Stevedoring Council’s (GSC) annual safety and security conference in May. The global forum brings together port operators worldwide to exchange best practices and enhance collaboration on safety, occupational health, and operational risk management.

This is the first time the event is held in Sweden, and the choice of location highlights the Port of Helsingborg’s growing reputation as a leader in port safety and international cooperation.

“We are honoured that GSC has chosen Helsingborg. It recognises our long-term commitment to safety and active engagement with national authorities and international security networks,” says Joakim Sandberg, Head of Environment and Security at the Port of Helsingborg.

A strategic node for safe and sustainable logistics

The port has significantly invested in physical and digital security in recent years. In 2024, the Swedish government designated it a Civil Protection Object, which enhances legal protection against sabotage and other threats. Security screening procedures have also been reinforced in close cooperation with the Armed Forces, Police, and Customs Authorities.

“This is a valuable opportunity to showcase how we manage safety in practice and to learn from other leading ports around the world,” says Sandberg.

The GSC meeting will bring together safety professionals and senior decision-makers from some of the world’s largest terminal operators. The programme includes seminars, site visits, and workshops in the Port’s container terminal.

An expanding role in international cooperation

Hosting the GSC conference is a natural step in the Port of Helsingborg’s broader engagement in international cooperation. As the demand for resilient and secure supply chains increases, the Port strengthens its position as a reliable logistics hub in Northern Europe.

“We are investing strategically in security and preparedness to meet current and future demands. It’s encouraging that our work is being recognised globally – it benefits not just the Port but the entire region,” says Bart Steijaert, CEO of the Port of Helsingborg.

Helsingborg is also gaining recognition as a venue for high-level international meetings. In May 2026, the city will host Sweden’s first informal NATO Foreign Ministers’ meeting, underscoring the region’s strategic importance at the intersection of security and global logistics.

Joakim Sandberg, Head of Environment and Security at the Port of Helsingborg.