NEWS: CIRASIM Presented at MT’26 Conference in Barcelona

CIRASIM Presented at MT’26 Conference in Barcelona

The CIRASIM project was presented at the 11th International Conference on Maritime Transport (MT’26), held from 27–29 May 2026 at the Barcelona School of Nautical Studies (FNB-UPC).

The presentation was delivered by Professor Dino Županović, PhD, Project Manager and representative of the Lead Partner, the University of Zadar (Maritime Department), during the Environment session. It showcased the project’s achievements across Project Periods 1–3 and highlighted CIRASIM’s contribution to greener and more sustainable port operations.

Advancing Cold Ironing Solutions

The presentation, titled “Challenges and Opportunities Analysis Regarding Cold Ironing Implementation in ADRION Region Ports – Case Study of Project CIRASIM”, focused on Cold Ironing (Onshore Power Supply – OPS) as one of the most effective solutions for reducing emissions from ships while at berth.

By enabling vessels to switch off their auxiliary engines and connect to shore-side electricity, Cold Ironing helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and noise, supporting the objectives of the European Green Deal and the transition towards sustainable maritime transport.

Supporting Greener Ports Across the ADRION Region

As part of the project, the CIRASIM team analysed operational data from six representative ports in the ADRION region — Ancona, Ploče, Durrës, Volos, Belgrade and Ohrid. The research resulted in a harmonised SWOT analysis, identifying both opportunities and challenges related to implementing Cold Ironing infrastructure in ports with different operational characteristics.

Sharing Knowledge and Best Practices

Participation in MT’26 provided an excellent opportunity to present the project’s results to the international maritime community, exchange knowledge with experts, and promote innovative approaches to decarbonising ports and improving environmental sustainability across the ADRION region.