Port of Leixões (Portugal) : zero emissions by 2035

The APDL - Administração dos Portos do Douro, Leixões e Viana do Castelo, SA - is also responsible for the Port of Leixões, Portugal's second largest port by cargo throughput, for the port of Viana do Castelo and the waterways of the Douro River. The port of Leixões is a key economic and logistical engine for the country's northern industrial region. The port territory is in both cases inserted in urban contexts, especially in municipality of Matosinhos and the metropolitan area of Porto. In this interview with President Nuno Araújo, we will learn about APDL's commitment to the energy transition and decarbonization of the port. The APDL is member of AIVP since 2018 AIVP – The decarbonization of port activities is one of your priorities and recently you announced an ambitious plan to be the first port with zero emissions by 2035. From what we could see in several communications, this plan will include a Road Map.Can you explain us how you are preparing for this challenge and the main motivation and vectors of this strategy? President of the APDL, Nuno Araújo – The Port of Leixões is surrounded by the city of Matosinhos, under urban pressure. Therefore, it is necessary to find a coexistence model based on the decarbonization of port activities, ensuring that they can continue in the current location and are compatible with the urban context. If we were not able to give a good answer to this challenge it would be a risk to our main mission, which is to serve the north-western peninsular region and its relevant industry hubs. Therefore, it was necessary to advance in the decarbonization of our activity, embracing the energy transition. Port of Leixões in Portugal © APDL Port Authorities as leaders If we use the word sustainability it must be in an honest way that really implies improvements. We must see how our investments contribute to the energy transition, helping us in the decarbonization. This is linked to remaining a competitive port and reducing our environmental footprint is connected to increasing our efficiency in logistical processes. And this has been our main strategy, to achieve positive environmental results, implementing planning, management, and technological solutions, that also contribute to the port and logistic efficiency. We believe port authorities must play a leading and active role, engaging with the port community and finding new partnerships. Roadmap The roadmap for the energy transition and decarbonization plan that we are currently developing with the assistance of external experts, has two main sections: diagnosis and action plan. The first one that we have already concluded, makes a global analysis of all our emissions and energy consumption, including the port infrastructure, our equipment, our operations and the road traffic and maritime activities. This diagnosis has been made as a joint effort, consulting with all stakeholders connected to the APDL. The second part will be the action plan, including concrete measures, and the respective schedule. Here is where the APDL needs to be very active to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035. We are aware this is a very ambitious goal, since it implies anticipating carbon neutrality 15 years compared to other timelines. We know that we need to act on several fronts, leading the port community, changing the type of energy we consume to sustainable sources, developing multimodal logistic solutions in our hinterland, cooperating with the municipalities, efficiently managing the port territory, and reducing the impact of port mobility and operations. AIVP – Can you give us some examples of these measures? President of the APDL, Nuno Araújo – For example, we constantly look for ways to reduce the time it takes to manage the cargo. Reducing the time we take to handle a container, would also mean direct environmental gains, since the trucks would be less time in port. To do that, we need to simplify the bureaucratic procedures, coordinating with all the public authorities (phytosanitary control, customs, etc.) to find solutions that speed up the handling of cargo. We are also working in new technology that will allow the digitalization of port activities, helping us to improve the traffic flow, better predict the arrival of cargo, prepare for potential disruptions, and avoid situations that could have repercussions for the city. This will be supported by the first public data centre of the country, that will also facilitate the implementation of other tools such as the digital map so that the truck driver can check the traffic…