The ship is the first unit of the Grimaldi shipping company in the Green 5th Generation class, a hybrid ship that guarantees zero emissions in port

Next Tuesday the Port Authority of Valencia will hold a reception with the exchange of metopes

Aurelio Martínez: “Grimaldi and Valenciaport are very committed to the environment and to the EU directives that want to eliminate carbon from ports”

The “ECO Valencia”, the first of the 12 hybrid ships of the Grimaldi shipping company in the Green Generation class (GG5G) arrives at the Port of Valencia this evening.  The Port Authority of Valencia (PAV) has organised for next Tuesday a reception for the Italian shipping company’s ship where the traditional exchange of metopes will take place, in this case the “socarrat”, the Valencian baked clay tile decorated with marine elements that are given away in the gift exchange events that take place when a ship arrives in port for the first time.

The ship, flying the Italian flag, is the largest ro-ro unit in the world dedicated to short sea shipping and can transport 7,800 linear metres of rolling goods, equivalent to around 500 trailers. The loading capacity of its garages is twice that of the largest ships currently operated by the Neapolitan group; however, the new ship consumes the same amount of fuel at the same speed. This means double efficiency in terms of emissions per tonne transported.

The Italian Shipping Registry (RINA) has awarded Eco Valencia the “Green Plus” class, the highest level. RINA certification in the field of environmental sustainability. Green Plus” recognises the design solutions, on-board systems and operating procedures implemented, both during the construction phase and during the operational phase. The aim is to improve environmental performance beyond the minimum levels required by international standards.

Eco Valencia is the first of the 12 ships of the GG5G class that the Grimaldi Group has ordered from the Chinese shipyard Jinling. It is 238 metres long and 34 metres wide, has a gross tonnage of 67,311 tonnes and a cruising speed of 20.8 knots. Of the 12 units, nine will be deployed in the Mediterranean Sea and another three will be operated by the Finnlines company of the Grimaldi Group in Northern Europe.

The greenest ship

The design of the GG5G class was conceived by the Technical and Energy Saving Department of the Grimaldi Group in collaboration with the Danish ship design studio Knud E. Hansen. Highly innovative elements, already partially patented and protected by copyright, have been incorporated: the air lubrication system, which gives the ship the prestigious “AIR-LUB” notation certified by RINA; the Rolls-Royce propulsion system optimised with innovative propellers; the integrated propulsion system between rudder and propeller (Promas Lite); the waste heat recovery, and the application of silicone paints on the hull.

The new GG5G class vessels are equipped with state-of-the-art electronically controlled engines and use fossil fuels in navigation and electricity while parked in port, guaranteeing “Zero Emission in Port®”. During the stop at the quay, the energy needs of the activities on board can be met thanks to the electricity stored by lithium batteries that are recharged during navigation thanks to shaft generators and 600 square metres of solar panels. On board the GG5G ships, exhaust gas purification systems are also installed to reduce sulphur and particle emissions.

Mario Massarotti, Managing Director of the Grimaldi Group in Spain

The CEO of the Grimaldi Group in Spain, Mario Grimaldi, said that “we are very happy to welcome this green building, unique in the world, sustainable, hybrid and low emission, to Spain. In a few weeks Eco Barcelona will arrive to join the fleet operating between Spain and Italy. These ships are at the service of customers, transporters and car manufacturers, whom we thank for their support, as with their trust they demonstrate responsibility for the environment. Operating in a sustainable manner is a priority for us and doing so in the Ports of Barcelona and València is a demonstration of our commitment to this country”.

Aurelio Martínez, President of the Port Authority of València

For the President of the PAV “the Eco Valencia is another demonstration that the Grimaldi Group is perfectly in line with the objective of decarbonising the port of Valencia. We are meeting the same objectives and we are both very committed to the environment and to the EU directives that want to eliminate carbon from ports. We wish the Grimaldi company a lot of success and we share a very promising future for future generations. Furthermore, València and its port community are grateful to the Italian Group for the fact that the first of twelve such important and ecological ships will bear the name of Eco Valencia and will call at our city”.

Mercè Conesa, President of the Port of Barcelona

“The premiere of Grimaldi Lines’ Eco Valencia ship reinforces the shipping company’s commitment to sustainability. For the Port of Barcelona it is very important that a partner of Grimaldi’s relevance is aligned with our strategy of decarbonisation of maritime and port activity and there is no doubt that the company’s investments in the modernisation of its fleet are along these lines. Grimaldi Lines has already demonstrated its commitment to a green future and today it is doing so again and, furthermore, it is contributing to achieving the objective we have set for the Port of Barcelona to be an emission-neutral port”.