On the 7th and 8th of November, Malta is hosting the conference entitled ‘Decarbonising the Future: Shore-to-Ship Leadership Conference’ in Port il-Kbir and the Port of Marsaxlokk. This event, organized in collaboration with Transport Malta and the European Onshore Power Supply Association (EOPSA), marked our country’s commitment to leadership in the global decarbonisation of maritime operations.
Minister for Transport, Infrastructure, and Capital Projects Chris Bonett stated, “We are not only thinking of our ports to be cleaner but of a resilient, sustainable maritime industry that flourishes together with -our natural environment. Our ambition extends beyond 2030; we are building a legacy that places Malta as a global leader in sea transport. Through initiatives such as the Malta Grand Harbor Shore-to-Ship Project, we look to a future where Malta’s ports are centers of innovation, energy efficiency, and sustainability.”
CEO of Transport Malta, Kurt Farrugia stressed the importance of these types of long-term investments. “Thanks to the use of shore-to-ship energy, our country is laying the foundations for sustainable and responsible operations in ports, by designing a new standard for European ports. This initiative not only contributes to environmental goals and shows our country’s commitment to a cleaner future for the entire Mediterranean region.”
The conference highlighted Malta’s commitment to the operation of cleaner ports, incorporated in the Malta Grand Harbor Shore-to-Ship Project. This initiative can provide power to five ships at the same time, with a maximum capacity of 64MVA of electricity on 16 connection points. For the first time, the project operated two ships at once, allowing them to switch off the diesel engines and eliminate emissions on site. This technology will help in a 99.6% reduction in sulfur and nitrogen oxide emissions, a 60% reduction in greenhouse gases, and a 40% reduction in port-wide emissions, while almost eliminating noise pollution.
The main themes of the conference related to technological innovation, sustainable politics, education and workforce development, among others. Attendees engaged in panel discussions such as ‘Leadership at the Helm: Guiding the Decarbonisation Journey’ and ‘Ports as Future Energy Hubs: Green Corridors, Fuel Choices, and the Entire Customer Journey’.
This conference solidified Malta’s position as a leader in sustainable maritime operations and contributed to a low-carbon and environmentally responsible global shipping industry.
Photo (MTIP
