EU port cities cooperate in CO2 emissions reduction

The ports of Hamburg, Nantes Saint-Nazaire, Varna, Livorno and Monfalcone will be exchanging ideas and good practices

Ports have been the gateway to Europe and a key player in its prosperity for centuries. Yet they are not just a hotbed for economic activity and prosperity. On top of all the positive aspects involving trade, shipping and developments, they are also a significant contributor to environmentally damaging activities.

The European Union’s “Smooth Ports” project was launched in August 2019 with the goal of bringing port cities together to develop solutions to all the common problems they face – and it is finally kicking into high gear.

The lead partner in the project will be Hamburg, represented by the city’s Ministry of Economic Affairs, Transport and Innovation. Together with the other partners in the project – the ports of Nantes Saint-Nazaire, Varna, Livorno and Monfalcone, they will be developing innovative and effective solutions aimed at reducing CO2 emissions.

Common problems, common solutions

One of the main contributors to an increased carbon footprint in port cities are the dire conditions of port-related road traffic. Road travel near and around port areas is an incredibly complex issue, involving many stakeholders, interconnected routes and tight schedules – and every single activity is in some way powered by CO2 powered fuels. The issue of optimization and efficiency has been on the backburner for a long time but thanks to the Smooth Ports programme, things are set to change.

Together, the cities will be able to exchange information, develop strategies and share good practices related to solving environmental issues. The main focus areas will be the search for alternatives to highly polluting fuels, improving and speeding up the everyday port activities and figuring out new approaches to traffic and communication in these areas.

The cities will be engaging local stakeholders in the discussions and will be developing policy solutions that in the end should help reduce their carbon footprints.