Green Shipping
A WestMED supported Technical Group
Implementing innovative projects to support a greener and fully sustainable maritime transport in the Mediterranean
The western Mediterranean plays a strategic role with respect to short- and long-haul shipping routes, as it connects African and European countries, while it also provides an essential link between Atlantic routes and Asian destinations, via the eastern Mediterranean and including through the Black Sea.
An effective support to green shipping should acknowledge the relevance of transforming, renewing and adapting regional vessels and their transitioning towards the use of fully sustainable sources of fuel/energy, but should also address the potentials of transforming green ports into “circular hubs” for sustainable energy production and consumption – both challenges but also opportunities.
Given the fast development of new technologies and sources to be used for green shipping, a careful monitoring of new developments (green fuel such as methanol, ammoniac, hydrogen and alternative technologies, including electrification), would allow for the continuous monitoring of most advanced practices (technological, infrastructural, managerial, etc.).
The achievement of such vision would require significant amount of financial investments and contributions, which in turn calls for addressing the current fragmentation of public financing streams (national, EU, regional and international), as well as the full visibility for the return potentials for private sustainable investments in regional green shipping.