AIR QUALITY CONTROL
The Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority, together with the Harbour Masters, have recently renewed the Genoa Blue Agreement and stipulated the Savona-Vado Blue Agreement, voluntary agreements designed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from passenger and freight ships calling at the Ports of Genoa and Savona Vado Ligure. The major cruise, ferry and cargo carrier lines have pledged to shifting 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.
In addition, the Port Authority works closely with ARPAL, the Liguria Region Environment Agency, in its capacity as main partner of the Interreg project Aer Nostrum, with the objective of preserving and improving the quality of the air in the residential areas which sit alongside the ports. The project, completed in April 2023, provided the port authorities, carriers harbour masters and policy-makers with a tool in support of innovative decision-making, applied specifically to port areas.
Mitigation Measures:
To reduce the impact generated by port activities in terms of air pollution, the Western Liguria Sea Port Authority has implemented a dedicated investment programme:
- The installation of on-shore power supply facilities which equip ships docking at the port with the option of switching off their generators and connecting to the electrical power grid, thereby reducing both air and noise pollution;
- The widespread installation of solar panels to generate electricity;
- A reduction in the use of fossil fuels and the implementation of feasibility studies on the development of alternative fuels;
- The replacement of company fossil fuel vehicles with electric vehicles:
- A review of road port traffic management and the digitalization of the port gates to ease simultaneously both inner port and urban traffic congestion.
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NOISE QUALITY CONTROL
An objective of the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority is to reduce the impact of noise pollution generated by certain port activities which have repercussions on the surrounding urban fabric. Consequently, the Port Authority constantly monitors the magnitude of noise across the Ports of Genoa to map the level of noise in specific critical sites and to provide a set of recommendations and tools to mitigate the hazards of this form of pollution.
The Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority coordinates task forces, dedicated to air quality and environmental noise management, which group together major local public administrations, namely: Harbour Master, Liguria Region, City Councils, Regional Environmental Agency, Local Police Force, Local Public Health Agency, Regional Public Advocate. The working groups address the issues and complaints lodged by citizens and pave the way for the introduction of best practices to achieve a reduction in both air and noise pollution.
With the support of the EU Project Rumble, three class 1 sound level meters used for acoustic measurements were purchased in 2019 to monitor the level of noise emissions generated by port operations along the southern shore of the Genoa Pra’ canal alongside the full-container terminal of Pra’.
Other sites in the Port of Genoa currently being monitored for noise pollution is the Cruise and Ferry Terminal Area.
Noise Mitigation Measures:
- On-shore Power Supply: the installation shoreside of electric power converters in the Ports of Genoa and Savona-Vado to reduce both air and noise pollution, as these facilities provide freight and passenger ships with the opportunity to switch off the generators onboard when docked in the port.
- The Dunes of Pra’ Urban Park: the completion of the promenade/cycle lane and urban park along the Genoa-Pra’ canal, offering diverse recreational activities. The artificial dune functions as a visual screen and noise barrier between Pra’s full-container terminal and the residential area.
- Acoustic Panels: the installation of acoustic panels along the city/port waterfront areas. Vado Intermodal Operator VIO has recently completed the installation of panels between the new Vado Ligure intermodal terminal and residential area, with the support of the EU Project VAMP UP.
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