7 minute read
Cruise
SHOREPOWER BOOSTS GREENER CRUISING
The Government of Malta is installing new shore power at Valletta Cruise Port to preserve the local environment and enhance the attractiveness of visiting cruise ships, writes Michele Witthaus
Photo: GPH
Valletta Cruise Port is the gateway to Malta's capital, welcoming more than half a million cruise passengers each year into a city that is often described as an open-air museum. “The Grand Harbour is not just a passenger port: it is a multiuse destination,” says Stephen Xuereb, COO of Global Ports Holding and CEO of Valletta Cruise Port.
“The port is home to many residents, the workplace of many others and a place of relaxation for locals and tourists alike: There are age-old historical sites, walking promenades, entertainment zones, office buildings and even beaches in this strategic port,” says Mr Xuereb. “Thus, any activity within the port is a juggling game which requires careful planning and management.”
SLASHING EMISSIONS
Impressive new shore power facilities will add to the existing drawcards of Valletta over the next few years, helping reduce cruise ship emissions in the port. Mr Xuereb explains: “This is a project spearheaded by Infrastructure Malta and the Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects, Transport Malta and supported by Valletta Cruise Port with investment to the tune of €49.9 million. Valletta's Grand Harbour will be one of the European leaders in shore-supply provision for cruise ships.”
Work commenced in November 2020, and is ongoing on a number of quays around the port. The project will result in major air quality improvements with drastic reductions in emissions in the Grand Harbour. “This innovative system will make it possible to reduce the emissions of pollutant gases by over 40 tons a year, the equivalent of continuous circulation of over 4 million vehicles,” says Mr Xuereb. “Specifically, the port will be able to reduce SOx, NOx, CO2 and PM emissions.”
This project will ramp up the port's capacity to meet ambitious targets for reducing the port's carbon footprint. The carbon dioxide emissions reduction will have a positive impact on the Grand Harbour's carbon footprint, helping Malta reach its greenhouse gases reduction targets.
It is estimated that Malta will save millions in costs linked to the measurable consequences of air pollution, such as savings on medical expenses related to respiratory illnesses and other related conditions, savings on air pollution mitigation measures to protect the natural environment, savings on infrastructure maintenance, including cleaning and restoration of building facades and improvements in agriculture.
Other welcome benefits include reductions in noise pollution and vibrations. “By switching off their engines during their stay in Malta and switching to shore power, ships will be able to cut most of their noise pollution and related vibrations, contributing to an enhanced quality of life in this area for residents, workers and visitors.”
As an added bonus, the shore power project will indirectly help in the conservation of historic buildings in the area. “Millions of Euros are invested annually in the restoration of the numerous historical buildings and fortifications surrounding the Grand Harbour,” says Mr Xuereb. “This project is also contributing to the long-term conservation of these invaluable buildings.”
The positive outcomes of the initiatives underway at the port will have impacts in the wider region, too. As a signatory to
8 Valletta Cruise
Port with the historic city of Valletta in the background
UNWTO's Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, Valletta Cruise Port follows a comprehensive set of principles designed to guide key players in tourism development. “The code aims to help maximise the sector's benefits while mitigating any potentially negative impacts on the environment, cultural heritage and communities,” says Mr Xuereb. “We understand that the cruise industry and port activity impact the local communities in various ways. Valletta Cruise Port, also through the Valletta Waterfront destination, is committed to carrying out its activities responsibly, with the aim of leaving a positive impact on the local community.”
OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE
The cruise industry leaves a huge economic impact on the Maltese economy. In 2019, direct expenditure by the cruise industry locally amounted to €83.36 million of which €31 million was expenditure by cruise passengers and €52 million expenditure by cruise lines. Valletta Cruise Port is actively involved in the community, and supports a number of causes, particularly those with a humanitarian and social impact in the areas of art and culture and the environment, also through the Valletta Cruise Port Social Club.
“This is part and parcel of who we are as a subsidiary of Global Ports Holding, the world's largest cruise port operator with an established presence in the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Asia-Pacific regions with 19 cruise ports in 13 countries,” says Mr Xuereb. “With a strong focus on operational excellence, enhanced security practices and customer-oriented services, we aim to contribute to the development of the industry.”
This approach includes communicating how the services and facilities the port offers can help their cruise operator clients improve their own environmental profiles in turn. “Valletta Cruise Port has made a name for itself in the cruise industry, not least because of the very positive close links it has nurtured with all of the cruise line companies that call Malta,” says Mr Xuereb. “These relationships were all built on a solid reputation for service delivery, and have been centred around a modus operandi of flexibility, reliability and commitment.”
Over the years Valletta Cruise Port's efforts have been recognized by a number of awards including Best Terminal Operator by Cruise Insight for two consecutive years, and TopRated Mediterranean Cruise Destination in Cruise Critic Cruisers' Choice. “The pride in these awards is that the former is voted for by cruise operators whereas the latter is voted for by the cruise passengers themselves,” he says.
“Such awards and others recognise the flawless service delivered by the port, and the continued development and investment in its facilities in the last several years. This has been appreciated by both passengers and the cruise trade at large, culminating in over 900,000 passenger movements in 2019.”
Participation in certification systems for sustainability is an important part of the organisation's sustainability strategy. Valletta Cruise Port is in the process of implementing an Environmental Risk Management System (ERMS). In addition, its environmental and conservation policy is in compliance with ISO 14001:2015, which Mr Xuereb describes as “a baseline requirement for almost all national and international 'green port' accreditations”.
Good relationships with stakeholders in the city and surrounding region are also critical to the success of Valletta Cruise Port's sustainability strategy. “The Malta Cruise Network Forum, comprised of key local stakeholders, meets on a frequent basis to plan forward, in the spirit of cooperation and responsiveness that is beneficial to all parties. The forum also aims to pre-empt any potential challenges and brings together the Tourism Ministry, Malta Tourism Authority, Valletta Cruise Port, Transport Malta, and the Malta Police, involving other parties directly as required.”
Looking to the future, ongoing projects like the shore-to-ship electricity project will help Malta in fulfilling international and European objectives, from MARPOL Annex VI, Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI), Noise Emissions (WHO), Directive 2012/33/EU and Directive 2014/94/EU to the Blue Growth Strategy.
8 Valletta Cruise
Port by night
Cavotec contract for Valletta
Cavotec has been awarded the contract to provide shore power to five cruise liner berths at Malta's Valletta Grand Harbour. The project is part of an EUfunded initiative by Infrastructure Malta to electrify the entire harbour.
The solution has been tailored by Cavotec to meet the specific requirements of Valletta Cruise Port and will allow for connection of vessels over the entire port length. Using a mobile cable management system, PowerMove, it will provide ship-to-shore connectivity with units connected to the island's energy infrastructure. Cables will extend between 45m and 55m along each vessel's berth from the shore socket box to the vessel connection point.
An adjustable remotecontrolled telescopic arm will compensate for tide changes and the location of the power connections on cruise ships. Power will be provided to cruise vessels independently of their electrical requirements (6.6 KV or 11Kv, in 50Hz or 60Hz)..
Photo: GPH
8 Stephen Xuereb, COO of Global
