The Minister of Infrastructure, João Galamba, signed this Thursday an order that creates a working group to accelerate the electrification of the Lisbon cruise terminal with the objective of minimizing the pollution caused by these ships.
The announcement was made this Friday during the signing of a protocol between the Chamber and the Port of Lisbon for the installation of a hub of creative companies and technological innovation linked to the economy of the sea in the Doca de Pedrouços, in the Portuguese capital.
The working group is coordinated by the office of the ministerhas a representative from the Port of Lisbon, two representatives from the Lisbon Chamber and a representative from E-REDES, said João Galamba, stressing that he wants “Lisbon to have a 100% electrified cruise terminal as soon as possible”, with the aim to reduce the pollution caused by these large ships when they dock.
Currently, the cruise ships docked in Lisbon are with the Fossil Fuel Powered Engines, which has a great impact on the pollution of the city.
The mayor of Lisbon, Carlos Moedas (PSD), stressed that the electrification of the Port of Lisbon to reduce pollution levels in the city is essential for the city, as well as the payment of a tourist tax by tourists who visit Lisbon on these boats.
Nowadays people they pay tourist tax in hotels and still do not pay it in cruises. Cruise ships have to pay the tourist tax because they have to contribute to the city. They have to contribute to the cleanliness of the city. Tourism has to contribute to the well-being of the city and, therefore, this is another front on which I am also working with the Port of Lisbon”, he said.
The Port of Lisbon ranks 5th in the classification of the port infrastructures in Europe with the highest levels of pollution associated with cruise ships, according to a study released by the environmental association Zero.
Source: Observadora
