{"id":547,"date":"2019-02-22T15:55:00","date_gmt":"2019-02-22T15:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/portstrategy.nfdtesting.uk\/greenport\/2019\/02\/22\/port-community-meets-in-valencia\/"},"modified":"2026-08-27T13:45:29","modified_gmt":"2026-08-27T12:45:29","slug":"port-community-meets-in-valencia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.portstrategy.com\/greenport\/news\/greenport-congress-greenport\/port-community-meets-in-valencia\/","title":{"rendered":"Port community meets in Valencia"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Welcoming GreenPort Cruise delegates, Francesc S\u00e1nchez, General Manager, Port Authority of Valencia, said that the city\u2019s cruise numbers were growing at about 3 per cent annually. \u201cWe are working very hard with the city in establishing a sustainable framework for all cruises.\u201d Maximo Caletrio, Cruise Programme Director, Valencia Tourism, said: \u201cCruise tourism has increased from just 18 calls in 2000, about 10,000 passengers, to a forecast for this year of nearly 200 cruise calls and more than 420,000 passengers.\u201d The city has invested in green shore excursions, including 141 km of cycle lanes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Michael McCarthy, Chairman, Cruise Europe, said that investment would be needed by ports to meet the 2020 sulphur limit. \u201cThe diversity of new technologies means that different shipping lines are making different choices. The question many ports are facing is which investments to make to avoid a chicken and egg situation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Making the case for cold ironing, Davide Reale, Product Manager in Shore Power, Cavotec, said that since California introduced shore power in 2005, the state had seen a reduction of more than 80% in levels of particulate matter. \u201cChina is also starting to look to shore power to reduce pollution in ports.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sacha Rougier, Managing Director, Cruise Gate Hamburg, said that 30 per cent of ships visiting the German port already have an alternative energy supply. \u201cWe are in constant exchange with the cruise lines; we have set up an incentive for green ships and introduced a new environmental component.\u201d<\/p>\n

In contrast, Valeria Mangiarotti, Director of Environmental Issues, MedCruise, prompt heated debate by saying: \u201cWe don\u2019t think cold ironing is possible for cruise. How is it possible to have renewable energy with cold ironing?\u201d She highlighted the importance of LNG as an alternative fuel. \u201cOur choice now is LNG, for its environmental benefits, stability on all quaysides, and capacity,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Rafael Company, R&D Manager, Valenciaport Foundation, said that the port is investing in LNG bunkering and a national heritage certification scheme, and is also improving its data collection sources for air emissions. Juan Ignacio Buenestado, LNG Bunkering, Business Development, Naturgy, argued: \u201cWe have an incentive to introduce LNG as a real alternative fuel.\u201d His company will supply cruise vessels in Barcelona with LNG by mid-2020.<\/p>\n

A shipowner\u2019s perspective was provided by Guillermo Alomar Borr\u00e0s, Fleet Manager, Balearia, who said: \u2018We are pioneers in the use of LNG.\u2019 Balearia will retrofit five ships in its fleet to use LNG in time for the new sulphur legislation.<\/p>\n

Port reception facilities were the focus in the day\u2019s final session. Anna Bobo-Remijn, European Commission, Directorate General for Mobility and Transport Maritime Safety Unit, said a new sanctions regime for infringements of MARPOL was \u201ca significant amendment that will strengthen enforcement at sea.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gudrun Janssens, Director \u2013 Maritime Safety & Environment, European Community Shipowners\u2019 Associations, warned of a need to be specific in terms of amount and type of waste. \u201cWe think it very difficult to have a one-size-fits-all recovery system.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paula Cristina Sengo, Environmental Technical Advisor, Sustainability and Estuary, Port of Lisbon, reported on ESPO\u2019s recent deliberations regarding port reception facilities. \u201cNew provisions should use the \u2018polluter pays\u2019 principle,\u201d she said. \u201cDiscussion is also welcome regarding new types of waste such as scrubber waste.\u201d<\/p>\n

Congress considers climate strategies<\/strong><\/p>\n

Opening GreenPort congress, Aurelio Mart\u00ednez, Chairman, Port Authority of Valencia, said that his port\u2019s carbon footprint was reduced by 17% in the 2008-2016 period while cargo throughput increased by 31%. \u201cThe port is seeking to enable a low-carbon transition by increasing its green energy share through promoting the use of LNG, hydrogen, and alternative energies such as solar and wind,\u201d said Martinez. Raul Cascajo, Head of Environmental Policies, Valenciaport, said: \u201cValencia has measured greenhouse gases since 2008. Every two years, we calculate our carbon footprint.\u201d<\/p>\n

Representatives of two new port cooperation climate initiatives talked about their programmes. Victor Schoenmakers, director corporate strategy, Port of Rotterdam, introduced the World Ports Climate Action Program, launched in September 2018 as a cooperative venture between the ports of Hamburg, Barcelona, Antwerp, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Vancouver and Rotterdam. Describing the programme as \u201ca coalition of the willing\u201d, Schoenmakers invited ports worldwide to join.<\/p>\n