Ports, Energy, Industrial Power

The diversification of energy sources to achieve greater energy security and autonomy, along with the trend in decarbonization, have had a significant impact on the Italian port system. Indeed, these trends have emphasized the role of ports as essential energy hubs not only for traditional fossil fuel supply chains, but also for the import, production and distribution of new energy carriers (LNG, biomethane, hydrogen and derivatives, electricity from renewable sources) and for the development of new technologies in the sector, such as offshore energy and carbon capture and storage in underwater reservoirs.

The Central Role of Ports

The Italian energy system depends significantly on the efficiency of national harbors, as 74.6% of energy resources are imported from abroad, compared to an EU average of 58%. At the same time, Italian ports heavily depend on energy traffic, considering that fossil fuels still account for nearly 40% of volumes handled. For example, 99.8% of crude oil and 100% of coal arrive by sea, although the latter is rapidly declining.

The energy transition is transforming ports into strategic energy hubs, not only for traditional fuels but also for new energy sources and decarbonization technologies.

The energy transition also offers new strategic opportunities for ports, although challenges have clearly prevailed over the last decade. Indeed, the reconversion of refineries into bio-refineries (Gela and Venice) and the closure of nearly all coal-fired power plants located in ports have led to drastic reductions in traffic volumes, hence the need to manage complex conversions and remediation projects in specialized areas.

Seizing New Opportunities

It is thus urgent to support the ports reform proposals currently being discussed in Parliament with a national strategy that seizes the opportunities for the maritime port sector arising from decarbonization. It also involves leveraging initiatives to develop logistics for alternative energy sources (from electricity distribution directly from docks to ships and new energy sources based on hydrogen and its derivatives, to logistics hubs supporting the offshore wind energy supply chain), the production of new energy sources (from photovoltaic parks to onshore wind turbines), as well as the development of new, more innovative supply chains, such as those related to carbon dioxide flows for carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS).

A Regulatory Framework in Need of Modernization

Positive examples of new energy services in Italian harbors are still very limited, as implementing innovative strategies is particularly complex. A prime example of this is the onshore power supply network, which will be fully operational to support cruise shipping and container traffic in major ports by the end of 2026. This system involves replacing onboard engines with a direct connection to the electricity transmission grid when the ship is calling at a port. These developments have required 100% public investment (over €400 million for the main terminals alone) and ad hoc legislative support. Among the latter, changes to regulations governing the approval of new infrastructure were necessary to adapt them to the need for rapid completion, and a request for state aid eligibility (€570 million until 2033) as a service of general interest, in order to manage electrical supply directly at the docks, with third-party involvement and incentive pricing. The regulatory framework in this department is not yet complete, as regulatory guidelines for sustainable business models are still lacking.

To generate new energy from ports, a governance model capable of guiding strategic planning and supporting innovation in the port system is needed.

In short, to harness new energy from ports, a governance model capable of steering strategic planning in new directions is also necessary. Who knows whether the new reform of Italian ports expected by the end of 2026 will be able to provide all this.