Background
Towards a climate-neutral Europe
Following the climate targets set in the Paris Agreement, the European Union aims to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. On 12th December 2019, the European Council and the European Commission, established the European Green Deal (EGD) as the core EU strategy to fight climate change and achieve climate neutrality. On 14th July 2021, the European Commission adopted “Fit for 55”, a set of policy proposals preparing the implementation of the EGD, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.
The package formulates transformation paths for sectors with high emissions, and identifies legislative opportunities across the transport, energy and housing sectors.
With waterborne transport accounting for approximately 90% of global trade and 2.5% of global GHG emissions, the spotlight is on port authorities to contribute to creating a sustainable mobility that will support the economic prosperity of the region. This calls for a strong focus on the greening of shipping, making port services sustainable and infrastructure for alternative fuels available.
Localised energy generation from renewable sources such as solar or wind are being increa-singly implemented within port areas to reduce carbon emissions in support of decarbonisation efforts and achieve independence from the grid by decentralised energy generation. Adoption of solar and onshore wind energy is relatively widespread, has gained acceptance as viable and principle renewable energy sources and has comparatively high technological maturity. Wave and tidal power generation offers future potential as renewable energy sources for ports. However, these sources are not widely available, with the technology still emerging.
In parallel, key maritime and inland ports on the trans-European transport network (TEN-T) need to adapt to the role of strategic multimodal nodes and clean energy hubs.
HUPPINES scope
The activities planned under the HUPPINES project are in accordance with the objectives of the National Strategic Transport Plan, which links the development of the country’s transport sector to its overall national development strategy.
The five main objectives that guide the development policy of the transport sector, and more specifically of the maritime transport, are the following:
- Economic development and efficiency in the operation of the transport sector at regional and national level, through the improvement of travelling time, reliability, and economic efficiency. This goal is to be achieved through improvement of the services provided by the port of Heraklion, the environmental dimension of the activities in question and economies of scale from the allocated investments.
- Strengthening the interconnection of the core transport network, the interoperability of systems, territorial cohesion and cross-border connection with countries inside and outside the EU with the ports of the Orient/East-Med Corridor.
- The reduction of the environmental footprint of the port is a key element of the project.
- Providing accessibility and social inclusion in relation to employment, education, and social services for the region’s population. The upgrading of the port infrastructure will lead to the strengthening of the national network, from which significant social and economic benefits are expected for the region.
- Maintaining the safety, security and protection of the transport system. The proposed studies aim to upgrade the port through improving its infrastructure, in order to prevent any additional damage that could lead to increased risks for ships docking in the port, their personnel and the port facility itself.
At a European level, the project is considered to be a project of common interest, in accordance with Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No. 1315/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council, since the studies performed under the project will permit the future development of infrastructure, contributing to the development of the trans-European transport network, creating new transport infrastructures and upgrading the existing ones, with provisions for the uptake of alternative fuels.
The proposed Action is also in line with the TEN-T and CEF priorities, as described in Article 4 of Regulation (EU) No 1315/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council:
- The project’s studies will facilitate the qualitative improvement of future infrastructure, while the expectation is that better interconnections between infrastructures for regional and local areas will be created.
- The activities of the project will help remove obstacles to the improved functionality of the port and its role as a transport hub, including continuing damage to the port’s infrastructure as a result of difficult conditions at sea and strong waves.
- Upgrading port infrastructure and introducing innovative technologies will help ensure the port’s viability and future economic development.
- Increased benefits for the port, contracting entities and the entire TEN-T Corridor.
In addition, it is pointed out that the specific works proposed by the studies have been already been included in the approved MASTER PLAN of the port, and have received the necessary environmental approvals.
The studies of the project meet the need for the further development of the port of Heraklion, and are in line with strategic goals for the future development and sustainability of the port, ensuring safe, high-quality standards for the transport of passengers and freight.