The University of Science and Technology Mohamed Boudiaf (USTO MB) in Oran hosted yesterday the final international conference of the POWER4MED project (Local Empowerment for Fuel Transition Toward a Greener Mediterranean), with the participation of experts from Algeria, Italy, Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya. The project lasted 18 months (November 2023 – April 2025) and was funded with €740,868 through the EMFAF fund and the WESTMED initiative.
Website: sdg4med.eufundacion.valenciaport.com
POWER4MED Support Structure: A Governance and Energy Transition Model
The event also marked the inauguration of the POWER4MED Support Structure — a virtual, cross-border Algerian-Italian-Egyptian platform. It provides a multidisciplinary support team and technical tools to assist fishing boat and ferry operators, as well as marina managers, in adopting low-carbon fuels in the short term and in charting pathways toward carbon neutrality by 2050.
Source: maritime-forum.ec.europa.eu
Core Functions of the Structure
-
Analyzing needs and availability of affordable alternative fuels.
-
Developing toolkits to align with EU legislation and IMO decarbonization strategies.
-
Facilitating knowledge transfer through training workshops and field visits to marine labs and simulators.
Parallel Events: The Algerian-Italian Maritime Cooperation Forum
A major highlight was the Algerian-Italian Maritime Cooperation Forum, which focused on port digitalization, integrated supply chains, alternative fuels (green hydrogen, LNG, methanol), and carbon footprint tracking for fishing and cargo vessels. The forum aims to strengthen cross-border value chains and attract private investments to support the blue economy.
Transition to a New Project Generation: GREENMEDPORT & SHARE4MED
Also during the event, USTO MB officially launched the GREENMEDPORT and SHARE4MED projects, both funded by the Interreg NEXT MED programme, which allocated €83.7 million for “Green Transition” calls in 2025. Each initiative is expected to run until 2027 with a budget of approximately €1 million and an EU co-financing rate of 89%.
Source: westmed-initiative.ec.europa.eu
GREENMEDPORT Key Areas
-
Assessing infrastructure needs for alternative fuels in western Mediterranean ports.
-
Developing a real-time carbon footprint monitoring platform.
SHARE4MED Key Areas:
-
Sharing environmental and emissions data among ports and research institutions.
-
Foresight capabilities for short and medium-term adaptation technologies.
Main Projects – Timeline and Funding Summary
| Project | Duration | Total Budget (€) | Funding Body | Main Objective |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| POWER4MED | Nov 2023 – Apr 2025 | 740,868 | EMFAF / WESTMED | Support energy transition for small vessels and marinas |
| GREENMEDPORT | Jul 2025 – Dec 2027* | 1 million | Interreg NEXT MED | Port digitalization and carbon footprint tracking |
| SHARE4MED | Jul 2025 – Dec 2027* | 1 million | Interreg NEXT MED | Emissions data sharing and environmental adaptation |
Tentative end dates, pending final grant agreement approvals
Anticipated Impacts – Academic Analysis
-
Environmental Impact: Estimated 15% reduction in emissions from fishing and maritime transport by 2030 through transitional and hybrid solutions.
-
Economic Impact: Creation of a new “green market” for maritime services in the western Mediterranean, valued at €250 million annually by 2030.
-
Knowledge Impact: Establishment of a trilingual (Arabic-French-English) research network connecting 12 universities and 15 research centers.
BARBAROUS Association Mobilized for -Building a Collective Dynamic Toward Water
-and Climate Sustainability
Cooperation agreements between environmental NGOs and European platforms — such as the one signed between the marine environmental association “BARBAROUS” (led by Amine Chaquouri) and “SDG4MED” — reflect a transformative approach to environmental governance, emphasizing grassroots partnership and active community involvement.
The EU “Mission to Restore Our Oceans and Waters by 2030” stands as a pioneering model for multilevel environmental cooperation. This study highlights the agreement between BARBAROUS and SDG4MED, which aims to reinforce the shared mission agenda among mayors by engaging local municipalities and fostering their commitment to environmental and economic sustainability.
This initiative is aligned with the European Commission document COM(2021)609, which underscores the importance of participatory governance and the role of local authorities and civil society. The “Mission Ocean Mayors Alliance,” founded in December 2022 by the municipalities of Genoa and Mazara del Vallo, has since grown to include over 249 municipalities across Italy and Spain.
Recommendations of the International Conference
-
Policy Alignment: Harmonize national legislation with the EU “Fit for 55” package to accelerate clean fuel adoption.
-
Performance-Based Financing: Link financial disbursements to actual emission reduction indicators in vessels and marinas.
-
Human Capacity Building: Introduce “Green Marine Engineering” modules in Mediterranean engineering faculties starting from the 2026/2027 academic year.
-
Participatory Governance: Involve local fishing communities in Oran, Bizerte, and Misrata in designing solutions to foster community acceptance.
The conclusion of POWER4MED and the launch of GREENMEDPORT and SHARE4MED marks a practical step toward an ambitious Mediterranean roadmap for carbon neutrality. Through integration of scientific research and economic sectors, Algeria strengthens its leadership as a regional driver in the green transition of ports and maritime logistics — opening promising opportunities for a sustainable blue economy across the Mediterranean shores.
Online References
-
SDG4MED Portal for the Oran Conference (July 1–2, 2025): sdg4med.eu
-
POWER4MED Project Page at Fundación Valenciaport