Page 82 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - ΟΚΤΩΒΡΙΟΣ 2024

INTERNATIONAL WATERS

Eero Lehtovaara, Chair of the Board of Directors,
Waterborne TP, said: “We warmly welcome the
emphasis on the green and digital transition of
the waterborne sector in the mission letters for
the Commissioners-designate. The importance of
research, development, and innovation is a stim-
ulating development, which requires a joint and
coordinated approach by the waterborne ecosys-
tem. Furthermore, the Waterborne Technology
Platform welcomes the organisation of implemen-
tation dialogues with stakeholders, to align with the
developments in the sector. The emphasis on the
deployment of innovations, by means of the Sus-
tainable Transport Investment Plan, as well as the
much-needed attention for start-ups and SMEs in
the research, development and innovation ecosys-
tem, are much welcomed. All these elements form a
basis to further develop the implementation plan of
our long-term strategy, i.e. our Strategic Research
Agenda (SRA). This SRA will be presented during
the upcoming edition of the Waterborne Days,
scheduled for 4 and 5 February 2025, in Brussels.
We are looking forward to engaging with all relevant
public and private stakeholders to jointly develop
and implement this SRA”.

transport systems. Finally, the development of a A NEW BIO-LNG PLANT IN THE
new industrial maritime strategy and a comprehen- NETHERLANDS
sive EU Port Strategy are on the action list for the On Thursday, 11 September 2024, Attero and Nord-
Commissioner-designate for Sustainable Transport sol held the opening ceremony for their new bio-
and Tourism. LNG plant in Wilp, in the presence of Her Majesty
As regards Fisheries and Oceans, in the mission let- Queen Máxima. The plant produces sustainable bio-
ter for the Commissioner-Designate Costas Kadis, LNG from biogas from the fermentation of vege-
the development of an EU Ocean Research and table, fruit, and garden waste (VGF), bringing the
Innovation Strategy is foreseen, building upon the sustainability of maritime and heavy road transport
EU Mission “To restore our Ocean and Waters by one important step closer.
2030”. Finally, Ekaterina Zaharieva, Commission- The plant will annually convert 6 million Nm3 of bio-
er-designate for Startups, Research and Innovation, gas from household GFT waste into 2,400 tonnes
will be responsible for the development of an EU of high-purity bio-LNG and 5,000 tonnes of liquid
start-up and scale-up strategy, which will improve bio-CO . Assuming average consumption, trucks
2
framework conditions. Furthermore, extensive work can travel more than 10 million kilometres with this
is foreseen to further simplify access to research amount of bio-LNG. The transformation from waste
funding, especially for innovative SMEs and small to energy also reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
midcaps. Over the next 10 years, Attero and Nordsol expect a
The report is specifically relevant for the implemen- reduction of 87,500 tonnes in CO2 emissions, com-
tation of the long-term strategy of the Waterborne parable to the CO2 uptake of more than 4 million
Technology Platform, which is centred around tech- trees.
nology leadership in waterborne. In this definition,
all segments of the European waterborne transport ROLLS-ROYCE AND AZIMUT BENETTI
sector (ranging from shipyards, maritime equip- GROUP AGREEMENT FOR MTU PROPULSION
ment manufacturers, shipowners, research insti- SYSTEMS FOR YACHTS
tutes, and academia to public stakeholders) play Rolls-Royce and Azimut Benetti Group, the world’s
a key role, and the functioning of the entire sector leading manufacturer of megayachts of over 24
will be pivotal to ensuring that the EU’s waterborne metres, will be working more closely together on
transport sector remains a global leader and offers yacht propulsion systems. The two companies
quality jobs. Sustainability and digitalisation are have signed a four-year partnership and framework
among the main topics of this long-term strategy. agreement for mtu diesel engines for Azimut and

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