With decarbonization measures being implemented by the European maritime sector, EU and national policymakers visited the Port of Antwerp as part of this week’s European Shipping Week activities.
Representatives from the European Commission, the European Parliament and the permanent representations of Member States were shown the various efforts being made by the maritime community to meet the IMO’s ambition to at least halve GHG emissions from international shipping by 2050.
Such efforts include:
- Shore-side electricity
- Development of alternative fuels, such as hydrogen and LNG.
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As a matter of fact, recently it was announced that the Port of Antwerp will accommodate the first tug powered by hydrogen.
Commenting on the occasion, Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of the Port of Antwerp, said:
Apart from our active participation in the Climate Action Programme with other major ports and the UN ‘Getting to Zero’ Coalition, we are working towards becoming a CO2-neutral port. Together with our partners we prepare for a low-carbon future. We are in a constant search for innovative applications and opportunities. This visit from the EU policymakers offers us an opportunity to show them, by means of concrete projects, which progress we are making
What is more, ECSA Secretary General, Martin Dorsman, added that decarbonization can only happen through the combined efforts of the whole maritime cluster. He explained that by working with the ports, such as the Port of Antwerp, and other maritime partners, the shipping industry can only benefit from the global regulation at the IMO.
