The Blue Agreement has been signed by the Port of Savona-Vado Ligure, the voluntary agreement stipulated by local public authorities and private operators of the maritime cluster to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from ships calling at the port and to mitigate the environmental impact across the surrounding urban fabric.
The noteworthy initiative was promoted by the Port of Savona Harbour Master and subscribed by the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority, the City Councils of Savona, Vado Ligure, Albissola Marina and Bergeggi, together with major shipping lines operating at the port facilities, local ship agencies and the tug service provider Carmelo Noli Srl.
Specifically, the carriers, which commit to the protocol, pledge to shift to the use of marine gasoil with a sulphur content not exceeding 0.1% by mass in a radius of up to 3 nautical miles (5 km) from the port - a provision which will be introduced by law as of next year upon the designation of the Mediterranean as a Sulpher Emission Control Area - and not only restricted to vessels docked at the port, as per current legislation in force. This marks a concrete voluntary step in the path towards the achievement of a sharp reduction in carbon emissions into the atmosphere, by pre-empting future regulations.
In addition, vessels equipped with scrubbers and those powered by liquefied natural gas or other alternative sources of fuel for shipping such as biofuel, ammonia, methanol and ethanol, subscribe to the Blue Agreement pact. Moreover, the agreement foresees the implementation of a study on the impact of liquid waste generated by ship exhaust gas cleaning systems, in compliance with international legislation in force, conducted by the University of Genoa, in conjunction with the Harbour Master and the collaboration of the carrier-signatories of the Blue Agreement.
The new Savona-Vado Blue Agreement sits alongside the voluntary agreement renewed in April 2024 by the Port of Genoa, and consolidates the firm commitment of the Port Authority, the Harbour Master and the maritime cluster to reduce the environmental impact of port activities on cities which are located alongside passenger and cargo terminals.
