December 13, 2023
The conference, titled "Ship Electrification at the Port of Piraeus - Prospects and Challenges" took place at the conference hall of the Piraeus Port Authority, with great success and significant attendance. The conference focused on presenting initiatives for the development of ship electrification systems in ports and facilitating the exchange of ideas to shape sustainable operational, regulatory, and financial models.
The conference was part of the efforts towards the energy transition of the Piraeus port infrastructure and the adaptation of its port operations to the requirements set forth by the Green Deal and the EU's "Fit for 55" package. The Piraeus Port Authority, through two EU co-funded projects, CIPORT and EALING, has already taken relevant actions by completing all technical studies for five ship electrification positions in coastal shipping and four ship electrification positions in the cruise sector. Currently, the construction of these projects is underway.
Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Mr. Christos Stylianidis noted that Greece has regained its first place worldwide within the International Maritime Organization. He emphasized the specific and strict obligations for electrification of ports starting from 2030, which, as he said, compels us to "run" for the relevant infrastructure. He also highlighted that electrification will play a significant role both in the "green" transition and in the competitiveness of Greek ports at the European and global level.
Mr. Panagiotis Tsonis, Deputy CEO of PPA S.A., highlighted the completion of the EALING project by PPA S.A. in 2023, which involves the development of final technical, environmental, and financial studies for 5 ship electrification positions along the coasts of Poseidon, Agios Dionysios, Hetionia, and Perikleous, with a total capacity of 13.5 MVA. He also mentioned the CIPORT project, which focuses on the necessary studies for 4 cruise ship electrification positions along the Themistocles coast.
Piraeus Port Authority has set up a Decarbonization Roadmap until 2030 aligned with the goals of EU Green Deal and the Fit-for-55 package. "Reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared with 1990 levels is an ambitious goal for EU and we must all join forces to achieve it. We are committed to greening our own operations within their own remit and seeking ways to reduce our own emissions, while supporting vessels to their efforts towards decarbonization."
The Secretary General for Private Investments of the Ministry of Development, Ms. Vasiliki Loizou mentioned that the role of the Port of Piraeus is significant in various sectors such as tourism, commerce, and foreign investments. She added that the Port of Piraeus is among the best in Europe and constantly improving in the relevant rankings. She further noted that the Ministry of Development will support any effort to upgrade the Port of Piraeus, as well as any other port in the country, and highlighted the great interest in the Port of Piraeus from abroad, which is continuously growing.
The conference focused on presenting initiatives for the development of ship electrification systems in ports and facilitating the exchange of ideas to shape sustainable operational, regulatory, and financial models.
Source:
Piraeus Port Authority SA is an Athens Stock Exchange listed Company engaged in the management and operation of Piraeus port, Greece’s largest port and one of the largest integrated harbours in Europe, providing a complete range of services. Some of the Company’s activities involve cruise, coastal (ferry/passenger), container and car terminal services, as well as general cargo, ship repair, logistic and free zone services. The main shareholder of Piraeus Port Authority S.A., with a stake of 67 percent, is COSCO SHIPPING, one of the largest maritime companies in the world.
Over the last decade the Company has experienced a remarkable growth in all port activities, which is still underway, largely contributing to the country’s economy, while driven by green development and increased digitalization, alongside a people-first approach and a spirit of giving back to the society.
PPA is a member of “ECO PORTS”, holds ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 50001:2018 Certifications, is included in the Athens Stock Exchange ESG index and is one of the “Most Sustainable Companies in Greece 2022”.