PAV - Experts & Thought Leaders

The Port Authority of Valencia (APV) has renewed its Port Environmental Review System (PERS) certification from the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO), the most widely recognised environmental standard in the European port sector. Valenciaport was the first European port to obtain this certification in 2003, and this year it has been renewed for the eighth consecutive time. This distinction highlights the port’s environmental management and the joint efforts of the entire port community to move towards a more sustainable model. The president of the APV, Mar Chao López, emphasised that this ‘endorses the path we are taking towards Valenciaport’s zero emissions target, reconciling the reduction of environmental impact with commercial and technological growth’, and that it is in line with the 2035 Strategic Plan, which includes promoting sustainable growth and innovation among its objectives. A commitment that is measured and improved PERS certification attests to transparency and continuous improvement in environmental management at ports, and compliance is independently assessed by Lloyd’s Register, an international organisation specialising in maritime engineering and technology. The certificate is valid for two years, after which it is reviewed to ensure that the port continues to meet the required standards. Valenciaport is an active member of EcoPorts, the leading environmental network in the European port sector, which brings together more than 100 ports from 25 countries committed to sustainability and cooperation on environmental issues. Sustainable growth and innovation The APV’s actions are carried out under the premise of reconciling growth with sustainability. Its Ecoport programme, in which numerous companies from the port community participate, establishes common environmental objectives, such as the implementation of energy and environmental management systems, the calculation of carbon footprints and the transparent communication of results to society. Valenciaport is registered with the European Union’s Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) and has an energy management system certified under the ISO 50001 standard. It was also the first Spanish Port Authority to register the carbon footprint of a port facility with the Ministry for Ecological Transition. The 2035 Strategic Plan, presented this year, reinforces this sustainable and digital vision. Among its goals, it aims to concentrate 45% of the Spanish port system’s import and export container traffic, create 80,000 direct and indirectjobs, and consolidate Valenciaport as a benchmark for innovation and energy transition in the Mediterranean.

Saggas and Valenciaport have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate in the identification of innovation and development projects linked to renewable gases and CO2. The agreement was signed by Rosa María Prieto, President of Saggas, and Mar Chao, President of the Port Authority of València (PAV). Through this memorandum, Saggas and the PAV undertake to work together to identify innovation projects to accelerate the development of storage, generation and logistics solutions associated with the use of different renewable gases (hydrogen, BioGNL, etc.) in their different states, as well as CO2, so that they can benefit from synergies with the process carried out at the Sagunto regasification plant. Decarbonisation of maritime-port sector The aim of this collaboration is to meet the decarbonisation needs of the maritime-port sector, the logistics chain and its hinterland, and to guarantee compliance with the requirements of the European Green Pact and specific regulations such as the Fuel Maritime initiative and the regulation on the infrastructures needed for alternative fuels (AFIR), among others. The signing of this memorandum is part of Saggas’ interest in participating in projects in the renewable gas and CO2 infrastructure sector, as well as in the energy transition plan promoted by the PAV.

On Saturday 9 November, land operations at all the container terminals of the Port of València: MSC Terminal Valencia, APM Terminals Valencia, and CSP Iberian Valencia Terminal will start at 8:00 a.m. and work will be uninterrupted until 13:00 hours. This schedule guarantees the functioning of the logistics chain and the supply of essential products while allowing workers to combine their working hours with volunteer work in cleaning, distribution, and aid to the citizens of the towns affected by the floods. For Monday, 11th November, the Port of València will resume land operations at all container terminals at 06:00 hours and work will continue uninterrupted until 20:00 hours.