After the success of the previous edition of Blue Med Daysthe Mediterranean Sea Center proposed this event again, sponsored by the State Secretariat for the Sea and the Ministry for Transport, and supported by the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and Occitanie regions. Organized in partnership with the Transport Innovation Agency and the French maritime clusterthe 4th edition was held at the Mucem, in MarseilleSeptember 19 on the theme “2040 objective: a zero-carbon naval and port industry”.
During the round table on major Mediterranean port projects, five professionals intervened to highlight the impact of the latest in terms of decarbonization. In the first place, Alexis VilleminDeputy Director General of Development, Ports, Mobility, Energy Metropolis Toulon Provence Mediterranean (TPM), mentioned several issues, including the connection of ships to the quayside.
« With the support of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region, the State and Europe, we are improving the air quality by equipping the Toulon/Côte d’Azur passenger terminal withinfrastructure for the electrical connection of ships at dock allowing engines to be stopped during stopovers “, he clarified.
The main challenge of the next decade is, for him, to integrate environmental and societal considerations port development projects.
€80 million invested in Marseille-Fos
A major objective is to increase the electrical power of yachts over 21 meters up to 130 meters, which come to winter and carry out work. Alexis Villemin then emphasized that “ most of the pollution comes from ferry stops. We welcome 1,147 in Toulon in the urban area. This can range from 2.7 up to 12 Megawatts (MW) for some of them. » In 2024, the maritime master plan. All ports in the TPM metropolis will be qualified as clean ports active in biodiversityand especially the port of Tour Fondue in Hyères.
For his part, Rémi Constantinodeputy director general of Large maritime port of Marseille (GPMM), recalled that after an investment of 60 M€ in 2022, the Port of Marseille-Fos carried out €80 million in investmentswith some projects focused on energy transition driven by the progression of 16% of its turnover and the 3% growth in fret.
« The year was marked by a flow of 77 million tonnes (Mt) of goods, with an increase in LNG (liquefied natural gas) imported to 8.5 Mt and a significant withdrawal of the steel industry due to the suspension of one of the two tops stoves,” he confided.
The port welcomed 573 stairs of liners including 74 with LNG propulsion.
Port-La Nouvelle, leading figure in the energy transition
In the offshore wind sector, Rémi Costantino believes that it is a gamble to reserve 80 haeither 10 % of the available surface. “ We are convinced of the ecosystem. It’s a opportunity to ensure decarbonization “, he mentioned.
Stéphane Salvetatpresident of Via Marseille Fosagency for promoting the port area, and the Union of freight forwarders of Marseille-Fos and its region (STM), highlighted several advances in the creation of a river-maritime complex going from the Grand Maritime Port of Marseille to Burgundy, via the ports of Sète (Hérault) and Toulon (Var). “ An inew integrated infrastructure is decisive with massive investments. We are waiting for a lane expansion railway “, he estimated.
Leading figure in energy transition and politics Repos (Positive energy region), Port-La Nouvelle (Aude) has a single governance since this port is property of the Occitanie Region.
« Important work has just been carried out. This change in size should allow it to quadruple its activity,” underlined Yann Wickersits general director.
Two points were mentioned, the creation of a new basin and dikes (2.5 km of north dike and 600 m extension of south dike) and the creation of a 250 meter quay.
Provence Grand Large, ten years to “release” three wind turbines
The quays and installations created will contribute to the attractiveness of the port for this heavy flow sector. “ These are 40 ha which will be dedicated to floating wind power. Six wind turbineswith a capacity of 10 MW each and 150 meters highwill be built by 2024 », recalled Yann Wickers.
For his part, Thomas Bordenaveoffshore wind project manager at EDF Renewables, expressed his great satisfaction: “ We need port projects in development, like Port-La Nouvelle or Provence Grand Large. » And to recall that in the latter case, the first reflections of the “Land and sea renewable energies” project date from 2010.
« These are more than ten years that it took to take out three wind turbines. The State supports us. The call for tenders is underway for low-carbon production. Wind power is one of them. »
This is a pilot project of three floating offshore wind turbines 175 meters high. Eiffage was selected, with subcontractor SBM Offshore. « There is a need for adaptation of existing port areas. The first wind turbine is anchored at 17 km off the port of Fos, the other two will follow. The schedule was kept », underlined Thomas Bordenave.
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