Grimaldi has ordered 27 ships worth €2.5 billion

With the addition of two more PCTC ships, the powerful Italian shipping group Grimaldi has a total of 27 ships on order, some of which are under construction at Chinese shipyards. The group's CEO, Emanuele Grimaldi, stated at a recent business meeting in Italy that “this is a really important investment, but above all we must invest only in ships that are at least 50% more efficient, producing 50% of the emissions. This leads to greater efficiency and increased safety of the vessel.”

According to the Italian digital outlet shippingitaly.it, Grimaldi added that “our research office has the ultimate goal of reducing emissions, which also means reducing emissions with an environmental benefit and in terms of cost reduction and, therefore, cheap savings. Thanks to what we do, about 700,000 tons of fuel are saved, and it is a continuous progress; between 350 and 400 million euros, which then allows us to make these investments.”

“CO2 is mainly attributable to Western countries. If it is true that 50% of electric cars are produced in China, we must examine our conscience and move faster,” he warned.

Another particularly interesting passage from Grimaldi's speech discussed the need for global legislation: “We are talking about a unique and unrepeatable historical moment in which the rules must be written in a framework of uncertainty. Let’s think about the small shipowners who have to make their investments. Choosing between biofuels, methanol, ammonia, hydrogen is not easy. They have to make decisions, and improvement can only come with investments, but uncertainty about the future does not help.”

“As shipowners, we must make decisions with clear rules; otherwise, we risk investing incorrectly. Electricity can be useful for short trips, but it does not solve the problem of long journeys. Electricity can only be convenient if ships go slowly and close, for example in the Gulf of Naples. On the Brindisi-Igoumenitsa line, 6-7 hours, we are considering it; we will surely build hybrid ships. We should help developing countries invest in cleaner fuels, following the pioneers.”

Regarding the topic of transition, Grimaldi added: “Europe has asked us to accelerate. The point is that we need to create regulations that are not local. The IMO can build these funds and enable the search for solutions, then countries must agree. But if we make European rules, they could create chaos: are we sure that Europe can tax ships in non-European seas? From a legal standpoint, there are gaps, so it is essential to create global rules, helping the pioneers who are advancing with new technologies. For the first time, it is the shipowners who are suggesting that governments take these measures: let’s take advantage of this window of opportunity,” he concluded.

Photo: puertosymas.com