The Port of Valencia hosts the first Congress of the Net-Zero MAR Alliance

More than 150 international experts met at this Congress – organised by Fundación Valenciaport, in its role as technical secretariat of this initiative, in collaboration with the Port Authority of Valencia – to address the challenges of the port sector in the framework of decarbonisation.
The importance of the creation of Clean Energy Port Hubs in the Maritime Energy Transition and the analysis of the foreseeable impact of the European Union’s Objective 55 “Fit For 55” package on the Maritime-Port sector were the main topics of debate on the opening day.
Marcos González, head of the Carbon Markets Unit of DG CLIMA; María Guillén, Policy Officer of DG RTD; and Ricardo Batista, Policy Officer of DG-MOVE, reviewed the conditions of the new European regulations.

València, 29th November 2023 – More than 150 international experts have gathered at the first Congress and Exhibition of the Net-Zero MAR Alliance, an event organised by Fundación Valenciaport (as technical secretariat of this initiative) in collaboration with the Port Authority of Valencia (APV). From today until Thursday, the challenges facing the port sector within the framework of decarbonisation are being addressed, while the formulas being developed to achieve the objectives set by the European Union are being detailed.

The inaugural session began with a welcome from the representatives of the Net-Zero MAR Alliance and the European project EALING, co-organisers of the first part of the programme. Nelson Mojarro, Head of Innovation at the International Chamber of Shipping, then described the use of clean energies in the maritime energy transition, providing data that were subsequently discussed during the panel discussion, moderated by the Secretary General of the Net-Zero MAR Alliance, Eva Pérez. The impact of the EU Objective 55 “Fit For 55” on the sector (minimum consumption of 40% of renewable energy sources in the global energy mix by 2030) and its imminent implementation was explained by the European experts: Marcos González, head of the Carbon Markets Unit of DG CLIMA; María Guillén, Policy Officer of DG RTD; and Ricardo Batista, Policy Officer of DG-MOVE.

The morning session concluded with an interesting round table on international success stories of OPS (Onshore Power Supply) systems, moderated by Raúl Gil, ABB’s Sales Manager Marine and Ports, with the participation of Even Husby, Head of Environment of the Port of Bergen, Bogdan Ołdakowski, Secretary General of the Baltic Ports Organization, Christophe Gaigneux, founding member of the European Onshore Power Association (EOPSA), Martin Tilling, Head of Shore Power at igus, and Uwe Augustat, Head of Grid Connect & Systems (eMobility) at Siemens AG.

Business models for OPS in Spain

In the afternoon, the session continued in the press room of the Clock Building, where business models for OPS in Spain were discussed, with Guillermo Amann, Senior Advisor to the President of Ormazábal – Velatia, moderating the session, and with the contribution of the points of view of companies, administration and port authorities, in particular with the presence of Obdulio Serrano, Head of the Sustainability Department, Puertos del Estado; José María Reyes, Business Developer Green Ports, Endesa X; Juan Carlos Giménez del Cerro, Head of Efficiency and Energy Services, Iberdrola; Rafael Rolo, Corporate Director of Fleet Operations, Baleària; and Federico Torres, Head of Ecological Transition, APV.

Tomorrow will be the last day of conferences, which will include sessions on the regulatory framework for decarbonisation in Spain, the situation of the integration of renewable energies in ports and the maritime sector, the technologies available for decarbonisation, and the aid programmes available for financing. Once again, representatives of companies, public administration and port authorities will participate and contribute their points of view.

About Net-Zero Mar

The Net-Zero MAR Alliance is a non-profit association that aims to accelerate the decarbonisation and electrification of the maritime sector and Spanish ports, being at the disposal of all agents, companies and institutions that wish to join forces to reduce the polluting emissions generated by port infrastructures and maritime transport.

The Net-Zero MAR Alliance has the following aims:

Contribute to the decarbonisation of the maritime-port sector in Spain.

Promote the reduction of emissions in ports and maritime transport.
To favour the coordinated action of public and private agents in the port, maritime and energy sectors.
To contribute to positioning the Spanish maritime industry as a driving force in the electrification of ports and in the decarbonisation of maritime transport.
To be the reference platform for the sector in the field of decarbonisation.
Promote the generation of electricity from renewable sources in port, as well as favouring the production of alternative fuels.