Decarbonization of transportation sector is one of the key elements of green transition. Special challenge on this path comes from maritime industry, given its important impact on the environment. These challenges have been continuously recognized by the Port of Bar, which, with the support of the European Union funds, works actively on establishing environmentally sustainable business model.
Since 2007, the Port of Bar implemented as many as 34 projects financed through Interreg mechanisms of cooperation, using more than 5 million euros of EU grants. Out of that number, eight projects were dedicated to green transition, which is at the same time one of the strategic goals for development of the largest Montenegrin port.
Aware of its environmental and economic vulnerability, the Port of Bar participated in the SUPAIR 2018 project, supported by the funds of the transnational programme Interreg ADRION, and started development of an Action plan for sustainable and low-carbon Port of Bar. This document served as the basis for implementing seven projects focused on application of green measures proposed in that plan.
„Faced with the threat of climate change, we put improving energy efficiency in the Port of Bar high on the list of our priorities. Transport sector significantly contributes to the emissions of Glass House Gasses, so therefore, ‘greening’ of the port is the key step in reducing them. At the same time, we must be aware that the operation of the port will be jeopardized due to the expected increase of the sea level, so adaptation to these changes is of exceptional importance“, says Rade Stanišić, head of the Service for managing international projects in the Port of Bar.
According to his words, the basic goal of the Action Plan is to have the Port of Bar improve its energy performance through transferring to more efficient and more sustainable forms of using energy.
„The Plan contains a number of concrete measures that lay the foundations for environmental modernization of the port operations and preserving the environment“, adds Stanišić.
After the Action Plan was made, we started implementing the measures. Through the SuMo project, supported by the Interreg IPA programme of cross—border cooperation Italy – Albania – Montenegro 2014-2020, we purchased a hybrid bus worth 277,000 euros, for which more than 85% of the funds have been secured from EU funds. It serves the purpose of transporting employees within the port area, as well as employees in the companies doing activities in the Free Zone of the Port of Bar and guests.
„Starting using the hybrid bus significantly reduced the use of private cars, which is a big step towards meeting sustainable development goals of the Port of Bar, primarily through reduction of glass house gasses“, says Stanišić.
With a view to promoting electric mobility and reducing CO2, the Port bought electric car and a charger, thanks to participation in the project EnterNETMob, which was supported by the Interreg Mediterranean programme of transnational cooperation 2014-2020.
One of the pillars of green transformation of the Port is the improvement of energy efficiency. Business operations of this shareholders company were burdened for years by huge consumption of electricity, which meant huge costs. To respond to that challenge, the Port of Bar, through SMARTPORT project financed by Interreg IPA cross-border cooperation programme Italy – Albania – Montenegro, purchased 73 modern LED searchlights that replaced 102 searchlights that were more than 40 years old, which ensured savings in consumption and better lighting.
„Although they require higher initial investment, the new technologies like LED lighting offer longer working life, lower maintenance costs and superior performances in comparison to numerous conventional lighting techniques. This is how significant are the improvements in security, operational and environmental performances that have been made“, explains Stanišić.
Thanks to this investment, the annual savings exceed 50,000 kWh of electricity, while the CO2 emissions were reduced by 31 tons. In addition to environmental and economic benefits, lighting on terminals has been improved, which in its turn improved security in the port area.
On the wave of the results achieved so far, the Port of Bar continued working on the green transformation also in the current programme period 2021-2027, securing almost 2 million euro of new EU funds for this field so far. Three new projects are implemented through the Interreg IPA ADRION programme, while two are supported from the Interreg Euro-MED programme.
„Through the RENEWPORT and ADRIREC projects, they plan to install solar panels to increase energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. In addition to investment, the project SUPERALFUEL will include a study of use of alternative fuels, like hydrogen, ammonia and methanol, while the WATERBRIDGING project will explore the possibility of supplying ships with electricity from the coast (OPS)“, says Stanišić.
Within the Interreg IPA South Adriatic programme, in partnership with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs of Montenegro and port authorities of Italy and Albania, the Port of Bar is implementing a strategic project SA CONNECTIVITY.
„With a view to strengthening port sustainability, we plan to develop technical documentation for the upgrade of infrastructure and building a new parking lot. We are currently improving the system of video surveillance in the Port of Bar in the value of 99,500 euros, and we also plan to purchase the equipment for parking space within the port, including ramps, posts with LED lamps, RFID readers and software, as well as the equipment for environment protection“, says Stanišić.
Successful implementation of these projects brought to the Port of Bar firmer reputation of a reliable and responsible partner in international cooperation. In addition to green initiatives, they are continuously working on the improvements of multi-modal and inter-modal transport, digitalization and security.
„This comprehensive approach shows that in the Port of Bar we are not happy with the achieved results, particularly when it comes to environmental sustainability. On the contrary, aware of the climate change threat, we keep working with even stronger ambition and clearer goal on reducing the missions and position Bar as a modern and environmentally responsible port in the Adriatic“, concludes Stanišić.
By Stefan Bulatović, Ministry of European Affairs
This text was published in the 16th issue of Eurokaz magazine.