The recently launched BlueBARGE project was presented to Deputy Minister of Shipping of Cyprus, Marina Hadjimanoli, in Limassol on 13 February. The event brought together members of the project consortium from Cyprus, Italy and Greece and representatives from the Cypriot shipping community.
Pioneering initiative
BlueBARGE is setting out to develop a comprehensive solution for supplying electrical power to moored and anchored ships with electricity generated from renewable sources. This will involve the design and development of an energy barge that supports the supply of electricity from rechargeable batteries to the ships.
In her welcome address, Ms Hadjimanoli emphasised the leading role played by Cyprus in this "pioneering initiative, ready to revolutionise offshore electricity for anchored ships".
"[BlueBARGE] is a pioneering initiative that aims to reduce polluting emissions and minimise the environmental footprint of shipping," said Deputy Minister of Shipping of Cyprus, Marina Hadjimanoli
She noted how the project focuses on developing a new model for ship electrification, “aiming to reduce polluting emissions and minimise the environmental footprint of shipping”.
Led by ABS Hellenic SM LLC in Greece, the project brings together 14 diverse partners from ten European countries in a consortium, each contributing with different areas of expertise. The project will cost around €11 million, of which almost 80% (€8.5 million) is funded by Horizon Europe, the EU’s flagship programme for research and innovation. It is set to run for a period of 36 months, concluding in December 2026.
The project follows a modular, scalable, adaptable, and flexible design approach, facilitating commercialisation by 2030. It will also address the issues of power supply integration, interconnection of the barge with ships, the port and the local power grid, as well as operational safety and regulatory compliance.
Rising to the challenge
Ships currently emit 3% of all greenhouse gases, and this is projected to grow by as global trade and shipping activity continues to increase. With the maritime industry responsible for transporting no less than 90% of world commerce, there is increasing pressure on the sector to reduce its carbon footprint swiftly. Reducing emissions from shipping is an important part of European and global efforts to tackle climate change.
BlueBARGE is therefore set to play a key role in the transformation of the maritime port sector towards the goals of electrification and decarbonisation, at both an EU and international level.
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Details
- Publication date
- 15 February 2024
- Author
- European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency