The focus of this 24th edition is the decarbonisation of maritime transport as a key to development for the international community. Reflecting the proactive role assumed by the maritime industry, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has recently presented to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) a detailed plan with all the urgent, necessary measures to achieve the zero net emissions goal by 2050.
The work of the XXIV Euromed Convention began with the institutional speeches of Riccardo Guariglia, Ambassador of Italy in Spain, and of María Pérez Herrero, Secretary for Public Works, Transport and Sustainable Mobility of the Generalitat Valenciana. In his opening speech, the Group Managing Director Emanuele Grimaldi outlined a broad overview of the the green present and future of the first Italian shipping group and leading player in the Motorways of the Seas in Europe, underlining that 2020 and 2021 were characterized not only by resilience, but also by a very intense activity in terms of environmental sustainability.
In the last 24 months, 12 newbuildings joined the Group's fleet and a further 20 will be delivered by 2025. The newbuildings can cut emissions by 50% compared to the previous generation vessels.
Besides the fleet expansion plan, an important program of 220 green retrofit interventions was carried out, which included the application of environmentally friendly silicone paints, propulsion optimization devices and the installation of exhaust gas cleaning systems.
During the summer of 2021, the Grimaldi Group completed the acquisition of some assets of Trasmediterránea, a historic brand of passenger and freight transport within Spain. Thanks to this operation, Grimaldi has strengthened its presence in domestic connections in Spain as well as in Spanish ports, which occupy a strategic position between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
"Today, more than ever, the maritime industry is called upon to develop and apply the most innovative technological solutions to reduce harmful emissions", declared Emanuele Grimaldi. "The crisis we have experienced has taught us that the world is confidently awaiting a new normal: it is the responsibility of all of us to understand the changes and to facilitate the decarbonisation process of maritime transport".
"I am proud to say that our Group has shown great resilience over the past 18 months. Despite the health and economic crisis and the total lack of state aid, we confirmed the investments planned for our fleet expansion and our proactive commitment to environmental sustainability", concluded Grimaldi.
The XXIV Euromed Convention continued with the first panel debate titled "The decarbonisation of the European Maritime Industry: challenges and prospects". Moderated by ICS Secretary General Guy Platten, panellists were Hiroyuki Yamada (Director Marine Enviroment Division, IMO), Kurt Bodewig (European Coordinator for the MoS), Ugo Salerno (Chairman & CEO, RINA), Aurelio Martinez (President, Valencia Port), Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry (President, World Maritime University), Esben Poulsson (President, ICS), Emanuele Grimaldi (Managing Director, Grimaldi Group).
The second panel, called "MoS in the Western Mediterranean and their role in Europe's Transport System" and moderated by "Economy" Magazine Director Sergio Luciano, involved Mar Chao Lopez (Operations Director, Puertos del Estado) Andrea Annunziata (President, Port System Authority of the Central Tyrrhenian Sea) Damià Calvet (President, Barcelona Port Authority), Pino Musolino (President, Port System Authority of the North-Central Tyrrhenian Sea), Daniele Rossi (President, Port System Authority of the North-Central Adriatic Sea), Ettore Morace (Managing Director, Trasmed GLE), Guido Grimaldi (President, ALIS).
During the conference, the various sponsors who contributed to the organization of the event were thanked: Tefin, Kongsberg, Shell Marine, Tecnimpianti Antwerp, Telespazio, ABB, Akzo Nobel, CAIM Sea, Sefine Shipyard, TPG Agency.
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Grimaldi Compagnia di Navigazione S.p.A. published this content on 13 October 2021 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 13 October 2021 16:11:08 UTC.
