At Boiler Wharf in Senglea, Prime Minister Robert Abela went on board the MSC Explora II ship, which chose Malta to conduct tests on using shore-to-ship power technology. Once again, MSC has chosen Malta to carry out these tests during the GreenPort Congress and the ‘Decarbonising the Future’ conference, which bring together maritime sector stakeholders focused on sustainable, environmentally friendly practices.
This superyacht is the first of its kind from MSC to ever be connected to land-based electricity in Europe. Since the launch of the shore-to-ship project in Malta, MSC Cruises vessels have spent over 300 hours connected to land-based electricity at the Grand Harbour.
Prime Minister Robert Abela has emphasised the positive impact of Malta’s shore-to-ship power project, which has now been operational for over a year. The initiative is significantly improving air quality for approximately 17,000 residents living around the Grand Harbour, with ship-generated emissions to be reduced by an impressive 90% by 2030. Over the past year, the system has been used on 80 calls, supplying approximately 3.7 million kilowatt-hours of electricity. This represents a strong utilisation rate when compared to other major European ports, especially notable given that many vessels are still being retrofitted to support shore power connectivity.
Accompanied by Minister for the Environment, Energy and Public Cleanliness Miriam Dalli and Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works Chris Bonett, Prime Minister Abela underlined the progress on other shore-to-ship connections under development at the moment, including the Grand Harbour and the Freeport. He stated, “We are demonstrating how Malta is combining economic growth with environmental responsibility. The shore power system in the Grand Harbour is an investment in cleaner air and sustainable tourism, an area in which we want to continue to attract high quality. We are setting a new standard for the Mediterranean region.”
Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of the Cruise Division of the MSC Group, said, “These developments show how technology and investment can deliver immediate environmental benefits. Malta was the first port in the Mediterranean to implement shore-to-ship power using sustainable infrastructure that supports both environmental objectives and tourism. We have a long-standing partnership with the Maltese Government, and we thank them for their continued support.”
Photo: DOI/OPM
