The North Tyrrhenian Port Network Authority represented Italy at the first edition of the International Conference on Energy and Digital Transition in the Maritime Sector, held yesterday and today in Oran, Algeria. It is one of the most important events in the Mediterranean on energy and digital transition in ports.
The GreenMedPorts project, funded by the European Interreg NEXT MED programme, was officially presented at the event. With it, the Port Network Authority (PNA) intends to set up a permanent corridor with the southern banks of the Mediterranean.
GreenMedPorts is one of thirty projects selected from a total of 600 international applications. It focuses on two key areas of port transformation: the development of Mediterranean Green Corridors, which are essential for ensuring low-emission shipping routes and integrated energy infrastructure, and advanced environmental monitoring of ports through digital technology, sensors and assessment models commonly adopted by countries on both sides of the Mediterranean.
The project, coordinated by the Italian Port Network Authority, sees the participation of prominent figures from the institutional and academic worlds. In particular, they include the Tunisian Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources & Fisheries, the Egyptian Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport, and the Algerian Université des Sciences et de la Technologie Mohamed Boudiaf. Malta’s Foundation of Transport and Spain’s CETMO Foundation are also taking part.
Thanks to GreenMedPorts, which will last three years, the North Tyrrhenian PNA aims to consolidate ties with Algeria, a country investing heavily in energy, digitalization and port infrastructure, with direct access to institutions, universities, ports and strategic networks.
“This platform is particularly useful for strengthening cooperation with Algerian universities, research centres, ministries and ports, setting up a lasting partnership for exchanging know-how in the Southern Mediterranean,” says PNA President Davide Gariglio. He sees this initiative as a model of international cooperation focusing on ecological transition, energy security, digital innovation and setting up new partnerships between Europe and North Africa.
“The involvement of the North Tyrrhenian Port Network Authority,” Mr Gariglio concludes, “consolidates the position of Livorno, Piombino and Portoferraio as European hubs for maritime innovation and strengthens our role in building the Mediterranean green port network.”
Translation by Giles Foster
