Europe will want cruise ships to use green hydrogen as fuel

Transport Minister Raquel Sánchez attended the European Union Council of Ministers in Paris yesterday, where she argued that ports in the Balearic Islands, Valencia, Canary Islands or Algeciras should remain competitive in Spain’s European decarbonization policies. . Despite the minimum share of 2%, the target is to reach 12% in 2040 and 70% in 2070. So in about 50 years.

“We defend the competitiveness of our ports and of course, Canary Islands Y Balearic Islands“says Sanchez. The meeting analyzed “the challenges of climate change in the air and maritime sectors and the deployment of recharging infrastructure in Member States”.

One of the most important points is the common guide. decarbonization advancement of maritime transport European Union Between 2025 and 2050It will then have to be negotiated with the European Parliament. Spain demanded that the first version of the regulation submitted to the European Commission be amended so that the interests of ports on the Iberian Peninsula or on the Spanish islands are not harmed.

the so-called regulation Fuel EU Marineaims to reach Ships to the EU must gradually limit their CO2 emissions.. At the start of the journey initiated by Germany, there was a risk that shipping companies would tie their long-distance routes to ports close to the EU in North Africa before touching European lands, so the ships would be there. subject to less demanding climatic requirements.

The main supporters of these claims (Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark or Ireland) confirm that reducing gas emissions by 55 percent by 2030 compared to 1990 emissions is “key”.

According to many national media reports, Spanish Executive was reluctant to demand a quota for hydrogen and renewable fuels at the start of negotiationsDespite the government’s clarifications that the dispute was a result of fears of losing competitiveness, in particular due to the proximity of North African ports, compensation was sought to ensure the security of state ports against possible fraud due to the proximity of North African ports. from Morocco.

To prevent this from happening, in regulations to be ratified, “ghost ports” are considered to be those located less than 300 kilometers from the European Union in Tangier (like Morocco), so ships berthing in them need the same requirements. those traveling directly to European territory.

To achieve these goals, the European Union will require ports to provide charging and refueling points for ships to streamline processes and facilitate transit.

Lloseta, European reference

The Balearic Islands want to be a core part of the new European approach to climate change, especially because of the direct effects this has on their island territory. In March, Mallorca was found to be the first region in the state to produce green hydrogen, as the first molecules date back to December 2021.

The plant in Lloseta can produce up to 300 tons of this material if it operates at full capacity thanks to the use of photovoltaic panels. According to official estimates, the operation of this plant will mean a reduction in CO2 emissions of about 21,000 tons per year. Ursula Von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, already positively rated the Mallorcan project a few months ago as a “great example” against climate change. The Lloseta plant is the cornerstone of the European Green Hysland project.

Competition Puertollano

Lloseta’s biggest rival is the city of Castilla-La Mancha. factory on May 13 green hydrogen of the iberdrola there, which will produce 3,000 tons per year. After 15 months of construction, the plant will produce up to 3,000 tons per year, producing 360 kilos of green hydrogen per hour on an area of ​​7 hectares and preventing the release of 48,000 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere.