In the Limassol port and its anchorage, modifications for the European project BlueBarge will be carried out, aiming to provide ships with electricity through rechargeable, green energy-powered batteries. This pioneering initiative is set to revolutionize the power supply to anchored ships, with Cyprus playing a leading role, stated Marina Hatzimanoli, the Deputy Minister of Shipping.

The BlueBarge project, co-funded by the 'Horizon Europe' program with a budget of 11 million euros, was presented this morning in Limassol, in the presence of the Deputy Minister of Shipping, members of the Consortium from Cyprus, Italy, and Greece, and representatives of the Cypriot maritime community.

Fourteen members from ten EU countries are involved in the project, including two Cypriot companies, Multimarine Services and Columbia Shipmanagement, as well as Danaos Shipping, based in Cyprus, and the project coordinator, the American Bureau of Shipping..

In her address, Marina Hatzimanoli expressed her delight and enthusiasm for our country's participation in this 'groundbreaking initiative, ready to revolutionize offshore electric power for anchored ships.'

As the Government, she continued, 'we are extremely proud of Cyprus's leading role in this project' and expressed appreciation for the Cypriot companies participating in BlueBarge. The project's operations will be conducted at the Multimarine Services shipyard in Limassol port, and trials will be carried out on a Columbia Shipmanagement vessel under the Cypriot flag in the anchorage.

She noted that the project focuses on developing a new model of ship electrification, aiming to reduce polluting emissions and minimize the environmental footprint of shipping. This aligns perfectly with the broader objectives and strategies of both the Government and the Deputy Ministry of Shipping.

Ms. Hatzimanoli reminded that the Deputy Ministry recently announced a new package of green incentives, aiming to encourage shipowners to reduce their ships' pollutant emissions and contribute to the decarbonization of the shipping industry.

Specifically, she added, the incentives approved by the Council of Ministers on February 7 include reducing the annual tonnage tax by up to 30% for ships implementing preventive measures to minimize their environmental footprint. 'This initiative ensures that shipowners are recognized and rewarded for their efforts towards sustainable maritime practices,' she added.

Reminding of the shipping industry's challenges in decarbonization, the Deputy Minister noted that with innovative solutions like BlueBarge, 'we not only face these challenges head-on but also pave the way for a more sustainable future.'

As mentioned during the presentation, the project has a completion timeline of 36 months and is expected to be delivered within 2026, with an intention to commercialize this method by 2030.