The port authorities of Singapore and Tianjin (China) have signed an MoU to set up Green and Digital Shipping Corridor with a focus on the decarbonization, digitalization, and growth of the maritime industry. The corridor is intended to serve as a testbed for pilot digital solutions, alternative, zero or near-zero greenhouse gas emission fuels, and technologies. The signatories also aim to accelerate and facilitate innovation by supporting their maritime startup communities and facilitate manpower training and professional development. Various actors will be included in the green corridor, including research institutes, shipping lines, port operators, ship builders, and bunker suppliers.

At the COP28, which took place from November 30th until December 12th 2023, several initiatives to green the maritime sector have been announced. The European Commission pledged €1 million to the Blue Mediterranean Partnership, which aims to catalyse blue economy projects. The aim is to address threats to the Mediterranean and Red Sea regions through projects focused on plastic waste reduction, coastal resilience investments, sustainable tourism, circular economy, and more. Terminal operators have announced the formation of the Zero Emission Port Alliance to make battery and electric container handling equipment affordable and accessible. Various actors have also taken a stand to decarbonize maritime transport and protect the oceans: the COP28 Dubai Ocean Declaration and the declaration of maritime transport CEOs.

The port authority of Malaga (Spain) inaugurated this week the new facilities for the fishing sector, including a new market and berths in San Andrés. This project has to a three main goals: improving the fishermen’s working conditions, reducing the energy consumption of these activities using photovoltaic panels, and promoting the sea culture and blue economy. The building has almost 1000 sqm. distributed over two floors, housing all services for fishing activities. On the first floor a dedicated space will host activities that promote this sector, thought for schools or gastronomic tourism. Other facilities include a new restaurant and eight warehouses, to store the shipowners’ belongings. Finally, a new floating dock 160 meters long has also been built for the vessels of the fishermen. The total cost of the project is almost €5 million.

The transportation authority in San Francisco (United States) has been awarded $16 million in federal funding for its plan to decarbonise the fast ferry service operating in the bay. The Finnish power and propulsion systems maker Wärtsila has been chosen to electrify the fleet of ferries, which currently operate between the Alameda terminal and downtown San Francisco. The city’s mayor welcomed the move, which is part of her decarbonisation plan for the period leading up to 2040.

Dock 2 at the port of Fos-sur-mer (France) has been selected to host storage and assembly operations for floating offshore wind turbines, prior to their installation in the Gulf of Lion in the northern Mediterranean (government tender “A06”). Work was required to reinforce the wharf, to enable it to withstand the heavy loads. An initial collaboration was successfully carried out with harbour pilots and tugs on the floating turbines in October 2023. The move highlights the role played by ports in the development of the offshore wind industry.