Page 38 - European Energy Innovation - autumn 2017 publication
P. 38
38 Autumn 2017 European Energy Innovation
MOTORWAYS OF THE SEA
Motorways of the Sea and
Connecting Europe Facility:
towards greener ports and
shipping industry
By Brian Simpson (pictured), European Coordinator for Motorways of the Sea.
Ports are vital for EU trade; part of the maritime dimension of the ports’ infrastructure as well as various
they are important transport Trans-European Transport Network. It initiatives from the industry both at
nodes, vital for short sea aims at supporting green, viable and shore and sea side.
shipping in Europe and efficient sea-based transport links that
critical for ensuring the territorial are well integrated in the entire EU MoS are an integral part of the EU’s
cohesion of the EU. transport chain. TEN-T policy and it intends to connect
better with the prioritised transport
Ports are also industrial clusters that The policy is supported by the corridors in the EU (Core Network
generate growth and jobs and play a Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), Corridors).
key role to promote sustainability and a financial instrument that enables
a smooth energy transition. to co-finance from the EU budget My work programme – Detailed
projects focused on short sea shipping Implementation Plan for Motorways
Motorways of the Sea (MoS) policy is in Europe, related investments in of the Sea, identifies three key
development priorities:
1. Environment
2. Integration of maritime transport in
the logistics chains
3. Safety, Traffic Management and
human element.
The work programme provides a set
of recommendations on the profile
of MoS projects financed from the
Connecting Europe Facility.
As this autumn edition of the magazine
is devoted to green ports and
actions necessary to further reduce
carbon emissions I would like to
particularly focus on my first pillar: the
environment.
The introduction of stricter emissions
standards in general and the Sulphur
Emission Control Areas (SECA) in
particular, produced an immediate
need for new ship technologies,
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