The electrical machines manufactor, Nidec ASI was recently awarded a €12 million contract for the electrification of the berths in the Port of Malta, an initiative which goals to relauch tourism from a more sustainable perspective.
In fact, the Italian multinational company has inked a €12 million contract with the Maltese company Excel Sis for the creation of a “shore-to-ship” project for the port of La Valletta (Malta).
The project will make it possible for cruise ships moored at the five berths to draw from the island’s energy grid the power they require to be fully operative, without having to keep their polluting on-board diesel engines running.
Specifically, this innovative system will make it possible to reduce the emissions of pollutant gases by over 40 tons a year, the equivalent of continuous circulation of over 4 million vehicles, and will contribute to creating the basis for a more eco-friendly and innovative relaunching of tourism, a key sector in the Maltese economy.
The project complies with the necessity of following European Union directives which encourage ports to adopt berth electrification systems (shore-to-ship) to reduce polluting emissions of vessels in the port, while maintaining active heating and air conditioning, as well as vessel auxiliary systems.
By 2025, this recommendation will become binding for all European ports and it has also been included in the EU Recovery Plan which places reducing environmental impact among the priorities in relaunching European countries.
Following the agreement, the port of Malta will be able to reduce SOx, NOx, CO2 and PM emissions which are a significant source of pollution for the tourist-oriented Isle of Malta.
In addition, by plugging ships into the national grid, and thereby avoiding the use of on-board diesel generators, the noise pollution so annoying for tourists and local residents is also greatly reduced.
The transformation of logistics and port infrastructure from the standpoint of greater security and energy savings can also contribute to attracting a greater flow of tourists who are increasingly concerned about respect for the environment. This will aid in relaunching the tourism and business sectors which have been particularly hit by the effects of the pandemic.
…Dominique Llonch, CEO of Nidec ASI and Chairman of Nidec Industrial Solutions, concluded.
