The Project Nereidas

nereidas-melilla

Port of Melilla

Nereidas: General outline of the Action

Gases (GHGs) and emissions from international shipping are increasingly drawing on international attention and possible mitigation measures are being considered, both at the regulatory and industrial levels.

Maritime and port operations today face an increased demand for operational efficiency, effective facility management, comprehensive security, and sensitive environmental management.

The Mediterranean Sea is particularly vulnerable to ship-associated impacts due to a high number of shipping routes. Between 1985 and 2001, a 77% increase was recorded in the volume of ship cargo loaded and unloaded in Mediterranean ports. As a consequence, ports are modifying the marine ecosystem and producing a loss of biodiversity.

In order to tackle this problem, the NEREIDAS project aims to develop a standardization tool for the implementation of preventive and compensatory measures for environmental impacts related to transport and port activities.

The project will also aim to provide adequate solutions to minimize COemissions, biodiversity reduction and external costs in Mediterranean ports, while at the same time minimizing the potential environmental impact of new infrastructure.

Nereidas’ Study Phase 

In a first study phase the Action will analyse the constraints, difficulties and bottlenecks encountered by port authorities regarding their impact on the marine ecosystem.

In the following pilot phase it will be attempted to improve the situation through the use of biological technologies, sensors and numerical methods.

A second study phase will evaluate the results of the pilot and suggest appropriate tools for standardisation aligned with and improving current relevant international environmental norms such as ISO 14001, EMAS, PAS 2060, ISO 14064, MSFD, GRI and LIFE in order to establish the necessary steps towards a new standard for environmental port certification.

Why Melilla

Being located on the Mediterranean coast, Melilla can serve as a useful case study for the entire Mediterranean region as the quality of the water, temperature, salinity, sea currents and biodiversity are similar to other Mediterranean ports.

Moreover, in terms of traffic, Melilla Port works almost with every kind of vessels (Ro-Pax, Ferries, Ro-Ro, Bulk carriers, Cruise, Containers ships, Yachts), operations and goods (dry bulk, break bulk, liquid bulk, containers), hence allowing the transfer of results of this Action to all kinds of Mediterranean Ports.

If successful, the results of the Action will lead to a more environmentally sustainable port and, on the other hand, it will pave the way for new investments in port infrastructure, focused on improving the carbon footprint of this type of facilities and their effect on the flora and fauna.

Nereidas’ Partner

Know more about the project’s Partner!

 

 

Implementation of the Action

 Overview of Activities

1

Port environmental impact analysis

2

First study phase: proposal of possible solutions to reduce pollution caused by transports and ports activities in the Mediterranean ecosystem

3

Pilot phase: preparation and deployment of the prototypes

4

Second study phase: towards certification and adaptation of environmental procedures in Mediterranean ports

5

Dissemination and Communication

6

Project Management