VALLETTA (MALTA) (MNA/ITALPRESS) – Malta has been awarded 12.35 million in EU funding for the second phase of its onshore power supply (OPS) project at the Malta Freeport. The funds were granted under the European Commission’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Transport Call, following a competitive selection that saw only four projects approved out of 20 EU submissions.
Led by the Economy Ministry in partnership with the Malta Freeport Corporation, the initiative will extend high-voltage shore power connections to South Quay Terminal 2 and West Quay Terminal 1. This upgrade will allow docked vessels to shut off their engines and connect to land-based electricity, cutting both emissions and noise. The second phase involves a total investment of 18.4 million, with the EU covering nearly 70% of the cost.
This follows the first phase, currently in progress, which is co-funded through the EU’s Just Transition Facility. That phase focuses on supplying shore power to vessels at North Quay Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Together, both phases aim to fully electrify Malta Freeport, a key part of the TEN-T Core Port of Marsaxlokk, aligning with EU transport and environmental objectives. This is Maltàs fourth OPS project, including two others underway at the Grand Harbour in Valletta. The Economy Ministry emphasized the environmental benefits, stating the move will cut greenhouse gas emissions and noise pollution by allowing ships to operate without burning fuel while docked.
– Foto: Malta Freeport –
(ITALPRESS).
