The Port of Barcelona continues to advance in its strategy towards decarbonization. Its board of directors has approved initiating the process to build three new berths for green fuels, which will be located at the Energy Dock and in which it will invest 124 million euros.
Specifically, the future facilities will be used for loading and unloading bulk liquids of new sustainable fuels. These three berths, which will be located on the east side of the dock, will require a construction period of 38 months, which will also include the expansion of the existing pit to ensure the connection of the discharge arms to the industrial facilities of the dock.
The action, which must be approved by the Council of Ministers before being put out to tender, will increase the port's capacity and organize traffic by type of fuel, according to the port. In addition, they will contribute to strengthening the role of the Barcelona infrastructure as an energy hub for Southern Europe and the Mediterranean.
In addition, the board of directors has approved initiating the procedure to install the automated European border control equipment that all state-owned ports must implement and that require an electronic registration of biometric and fingerprint data and documentation of non-EU citizens.
These systems --- the European Travel Information and Authorization System (Etias) and the Exit Entry System (EES)--- include automatic gates, self-service kiosks, and supervision and verification measures, as well as digital signage and elements for separating people flows. With a tender budget of 11.5 million euros for a two-year maintenance period, these systems will be incorporated into specific terminals, including cruise and ferry terminals.
Blue economy hub
The port has also taken another step in its commitment to the blue economy. The board of directors has approved the administrative concession of 15,700 square meters to the company World Trade Center Barcelona for the operation of BlueTechPort, thus formalizing the agreement by which the WTC will be in charge of revitalizing this space.
Specifically, the WTC will rehabilitate the warehouses of the Sant Bertran Dock and manage the space for a period of 36 years. With one objective: to convert the old sheds into a space for startups focused on blue economy innovation.