In Marseille, the petition against pollution linked to ships, in particular cruises, launched on July 19 by the town hall has created quite a stir. And not only in the basins of the port… Return in three points on this small political and media storm which started from the Internet.
Port stakeholders deplore the method
Splashed by this pavement launched by Benoît Payan, the economic actors of Marseille-Fos could not remain silent. The petition suggested that the latter were not taking their responsibilities…On July 28, they therefore took up their pen to write their incomprehension to the first magistrate. In this missive, co-signed in particular by the Union maritime et fluviale Marseille-Fos (UMF), the Grand port of Marseille-Fos (GPMM), the Marseille-Provence cruise clubthe UPE 13 as well as the CCI Aix-Marseille Provence, they say to themselves ” bumped into by the form and substance of this petition. They recall that ” Marseille is closely linked to the maritime sector and express their amazement at the petition.
The Grand Port Maritime de Marseille begins its resilience
« On the form, we deplore the method which is in total contradiction with the constructive exchanges that we lead within the framework of the City-Port charter and the port development council. »
They recall in particular their commitments put in place in recent years to limit pollution linked to maritime traffic, even if they recognize that these efforts are not enough ” to respond to climate emergencies and preserve our coastlines”. The maritime actors therefore propose to the city councilor of Marseille to ” carry out a project with all the actors concerned by this subject “, on the occasion of a steering committee. They also offer ” initiate discussions with the GPMM, shipping companies and the Paca region “for the Stopover zero smoke plan” echoing the wish of the mayor of Marseille to contribute financially ».
The port of Marseille wants to imagine a more sustainable future for cruises
The State is stepping up its commitment
For its part, the state did not let the wave pass. Visiting Fos at the beginning of the week, at the Grand Port Maritime de Marseille, Clement Beaunethe Minister of Transport recalled “ the real industrial future to be built” on the port of Marseille-Fos, while emphasizing that these “environmental and energy concerns did not exist twenty or thirty years ago ».
Following the visit of the representative of the Government, Christophe Mirmand, the regional prefect, recalled that the State services shared the ambitions of all the players, including the City of Marseille. The prefect hasannounced the strengthening of controls carried out by the Mediterranean Sea Interregional Directorate, in particular on the rate of sulfur discharged by ships. He also underlined the acceleration of the creation of a emission controlled zone for sulfur (SECA) which will be set up from 1is January 2025 in the Mediterranean Sea. He recalled the State’s commitment of €10.5 million as part of the port recovery plan for the electrification of ships at quayside. In 2025, six new dockside connection stations for ships will be available in the port of Marseille, including two dedicated to cruise ships.
Benoît Payan and Renaud Muselier congratulate each other
Benoit Payan, the chief petitioner pointed out in a post on his social networks what ” the mobilization of Marseille men and women “through the petition was” heard “. She collected more than 47 000 signatures. The mayor of Marseille also welcomed ” measures announced by the State “, while recalling the intention of the City to supplement, up to 10 M€, the plan “Zero smoke stopovers” initiated by the Paca Region. Renaud Muselier, the President of the Region welcomed this decision: “ Marseillejoins the mayors of Nice and Toulon engaged in this plan since 2019: welcome, and thank you! This is very good news for the Marseillais ».
End of the storm and return to calm…
Marseille: the City announces 10 million euros for dockside electrification
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