PRINTFincantieri at the forefront of the development of new solutions
Maritime transport and greenhouse gases: first outline agreement of the IMO (International Maritime Organization) to limit the emissions
The efforts to safeguard the environment with low environmental impact ships have seen an unprecedented acceleration in recent years and the Emissions Zero goal is no longer a chimera. Uncoincidentally, during its meeting in May the International Maritime Organization (the United Nations agency for navigation safety and marine environment protection) has reached for the first time an agreement on a series of measures aimed at limiting emissions in maritime transport, which currently accounts for almost 3% of global emissions.
Fincantieri and its resources in the field jointly with the big players of the industry
Fincantieri is engaged in this challenge not only with the Group’s subsidiaries, but also with a network of industrial partnerships that include other leaders in their respective sectors. This is the case, for example, for cruise ship construction, where Fincantieri holds world leadership. A Memorandum of Agreement was signed with the customer Explora Journeys, a MSC brand, third largest operator in the cruising world, for two new-generation hydrogen-powered ships with record-breaking features for the segment that will allow the ships to operate at “zero emissions” in port with their engines switched off; and a contract for the construction of an extra-luxury cruise ship, with delivery scheduled for the end of 2025.
Still on the topic of hydrogen, Fincantieri has signed an agreement with Enel Green Power that previews the possibility to collaborate for the supply of green hydrogen (produced with renewable energy) to naval, submarine and surface units, as well as for industrial use within the harbour. Said agreement includes planning and construction of infrastructures, also those for energy storage. Enel’s "Eugenio Montale" plant in La Spezia will be used as first test of the activities object of the agreement.
Industrial partnerships also for cold ironing and lithium batteries
Another agreement was signed with the Enel group (Enel X) for the electrification of the docks, the so-called cold ironing, which allows ships moored in ports to switch off their engines – thus lowering their emissions – and use electric power. The understanding also covers the management and optimization of energy exchanges in the new infrastructures, energy storage systems, production of electric energy, also with renewable sources, and the application of fuel cells.
Additionally, lithium batteries are also an objective. The joint venture between the subsidiary Fincantieri SI and Faist Electronics is aimed at creating a production site for the batteries as well as planning, assembling, marketing, and offering after-sales services for modules and battery units. Activities aimed at the automotive, telecommunications and industrial markets, as well as the marine and terrestrial energy storage sectors.
International records from Norway to Castellammare di Stabia
In Norway, the Yara Birkeland, the first electric ship without pilot developed by VARD (100% Fincantieri), has already made its maiden voyage. It can transport 120 containers saving about 40,000 trips per year with diesel trucks and is expected to start the real commercial activity in 2022. In the meantime, the shipyard of Castellammare di Stabia witnessed the development of the Zeus project, Zero Emission Ultimate Ship, the first ever zero emissions ship. The experimental naval unit powered by fuel cell has also involved the Palermo’s ship yeard and a number of subsidiaries of the Group, such as Fincantieri SI, Seastema, Cetena e Isotta Fraschini Motori, but also the CNR, the universities of Genova, Palermo e Napoli, the National Agency for Research and Promotion for Standardization and RINA.
