Enel X is the Enel Group's global business line that offers services to help drive progress and the energy transition. Energy management, financial services, and e-mobility services are all provided by the company.

The agreement will concentrate on improving cold ironing at ports, maintaining and leveraging energy exchanges in new facilities, power storage, and production systems that use renewable sources and fuel cells in its first step, which would be dedicated to projects with a national reach.

The partners want to see the programs that have been introduced in Italy repeated in other countries including Spain, Portugal, and Greece.

“Ninety percent of Europe’s ports are located in metropolitan areas, and public opinion in many cities has decried the pollution, noise, and vibrations caused by the engines of docked ships. Today, digitalization, sustainability, and innovation allow us to offer smart, efficient technologies that will reboot Europe’s port and maritime sectors,” stated Eliano Russo, Head of e-Industries at Enel X.

The actions are part of a large EU decarbonization policy known as the EU Green Deal, which seeks to make the European economy fossil fuel-free, including gas-free.

The two companies hope that by partnering on this project, they will be able to create a large-scale European cold ironing network.

According to studies, marine transport emits 940 million tons of CO2 each year, accounting for 2.5 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Emissions from the shipping sector, which are typically the main source of air pollution in the port area, have a direct effect on ports.

The construction of shore power facilities and bunkering infrastructure systems for renewable fuels are driving current trends toward decarbonizing ports.

Maritime Business World