Page 66 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - ΜΑΙΟΣ 2023
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INTERNATIONAL WATERS
in 8 to 12 companies with equity and quasi-eq- Alliance to strengthen their joint climate
uity tickets above €1.5m. The fund has a broad action, environmental protection efforts, and
sectorial focus with a preference for compa- cooperation on the clean energy and indus-
nies operating in the value chain of seafood, trial transition. The agreement was signed in
offshore energy, shipping, ports and blue bio- Brussels by the President of the European
technology, contributing to decarbonisation, Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and Nor-
reducing ocean contamination and conserva- way’s Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Støre.
tion of marine ecosystems. President von der Leyen said: “Norway is a
The EU Commissioner for the Environment, long-standing and reliable partner to the EU,
Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius, and we share a common vision for building a
stated: climate-neutral continent. We want our societ-
‘’Portugal has a robust blue economy sector ies and economies to prosper while reducing
that keeps growing fast. Today’s signing of the emissions, protecting nature, decarbonising
Growth Blue I - the first fund signed under the our energy systems, and greening our indus-
new InvestEU Blue Economy instrument- means tries. This Green Alliance makes our bond
we can build our competitive edge of blue and even stronger and allows us to design a better
sustainable technologies by strengthening common future.”
financing opportunities for innovative compa- Both sides reiterate their commitment to
nies. They need our support to succeed and their 2030 targets of at least 55% green-
grow in the European Union and beyond. This house gas emission reductions compared to
is our objective with the BlueInvest initiative 1990 and to achieving climate neutrality by
and our partnership with the EIB Group, which 2050 at the latest. They aim to keep global
will give the right impetus in the whole sector’’. temperature rise within the 1.5C limit under
the Paris Agreement while ensuring energy
A NEW PARTNERSHIP AIMS TO security, environmental protection and human
DECARBONISE PORTS THROUGH SHIP rights. The EU and Norway will work closely to
ELECTRIFICATION ensure the successful implementation of the
Shell Marine and the Hamburg Port Author- Paris Agreement and the historic biodiversity
ity (HPA) have signed a Memorandum of agreement reached during the UN Biodiver-
Strategic Partnership (MSP) to explore the sity Conference COP15.
decarbonisation of ports by focusing on
vessel electrification and the development GEOPOLITICS
of charging networks.
Port ecosystems are complex, and their
energy transition requires the involvement of
several industry stakeholders, including port RUSSIA AND VENEZUELA TO
authorities, port operators, terminal man- ESTABLISH A JOINT SHIPPING
agers, shipowners and ship managers, and COMPANY
energy supply companies. Russia and Venezuela’s joint trade plans
The signing of this memorandum demon- reflect the two countries’ excellent bilateral
strates Shell’s commitment to the zero emis- relations amid the recent geopolitical realign-
sions goals and is a critical milestone in the ments.
Port of Hamburg’s journey towards climate According to Russian media, Moscow and
neutrality. Caracas plan to establish a joint Russian-Ven-
In December 2021, the Hamburg City Council ezuelan dry bulk shipping company to boost
commissioned the HPA to install an electric- trade between the two heavily-sanctioned
ity supply system in the port’s terminals. The nations. Hampered by Western sanctions,
HPA has contracted Siemens AG to construct Russia is trying to find ways to export not only
the relevant infrastructure to deliver green its energy goods but also agricultural prod-
electricity from the public grid to ships start- ucts, such as grains and fertilisers. According
ing in 2023. to officials from the two countries, the joint
shipping company will attempt to circumvent
NEW EU-NORWAY GREEN ALLIANCE TO such obstacles.
DEEPEN COOPERATION ON CLIMATE, The new company will create a transport cor-
ENVIRONMENT, ENERGY, AND CLEAN ridor between the two nations linking Puerto
INDUSTRY Cabello in Venezuela with one of the three
The EU and Norway have established a Green port options currently being examined on the
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