As with other economic activities in the EU, there is a growing need for our maritime fleets to transition and move away as soon as possible from fossil fuels. This is not only as a contribution to the objectives of the European Green Deal, including reducing GHG emissions, but also for the sector’s profitability, sustainability, and resilience. The challenges facing the fleets to undertake an energy transition, range from regulatory to technological. As such, an analysis of the potential energy sources as well as the further development of existing and/or needed prototypes is needed more than ever.
In this sense, the Assistance Mechanism of the Atlantic Action Plan, together with the Port Authority of Vigo, organized the Pillar I National event on the 30th of June 2023 in Vigo, Spain.
The event, which took place from 9.00 – 17.00 CEST at the Edificio de las Sesiones of the Port Authority of Vigo, was entitled as “Ports as Gateways and Hubs for the Energy Transition” and involved an interesting and deep discussion about “potential sources of energy and prototype´s analysis”.
The event gathered a total of 36 participants from port authorities, project development, consultancies, shipbuilding, clusters, technological research centers, etc.
The event consisted in a workshop with the aim to gather the efforts developed throughout the years by the Atlantic Action Plan Pillar I task force members towards discussing and potentially creating a guidance document on what are the potential energy sources and technological solutions for each type of fleet, ranging from maritime transport to fishing fleets and/or recreational vessels. Participants discussed main challenges encountered when finding oriented solutions on sources of energy and prototypes for adapting the various maritime fleets towards the energy transition needs.
The workshop reflections will be gathered in a guidance document that aims to serve the industry, academia and decision makers as guidance on potential sources of energy and existing prototypes for adapting our various fleet types.
Stay in touch to find out the conclusions of this event!