Rossi (ADVANT-Nctm): an effective infrastructure must necessarily take into account legal and insurance aspects
Today in London the workshop “Cold ironing, powering the ports of the future” was held, hosted by the Italian Embassy in the United Kingdom in collaboration with Aon / Aon Re and the law firm ADVANT-Nctm, which was attended by representatives of the maritime cluster, delegates to the IMO from some major maritime countries, insurers and investment funds specialized in infrastructure, and during which the development of shore power activities, the challenges related to port electrification, and specifically the coverage of risks associated with these activities were discussed.
Particular attention was therefore paid to investment opportunities, risk allocation, and insurance solutions connected to this complex energy transition. In this regard, Giuseppe Spera, Deputy Permanent Representative of Italy to the IMO and moderator of the meeting, highlighted how «the evolution of ports into energy hubs opens up important investment opportunities, while requiring substantial capital and close cooperation between port authorities, shipowners, and energy suppliers against the backdrop of European policy initiatives and the IMO’s climate agenda. The success of port electrification – he noted – represents both a challenge and a strategic opportunity. Its realization depends on the combination of solid regulatory support, capital investments, technological innovation, and effective risk management».
«An effective infrastructure – observed Alberto Rossi of ADVANT-Nctm, also in his capacity as Secretary General of Assarmatori – must necessarily take into account legal and insurance aspects, first and foremost to avoid risks related to so-called climate litigation. What would happen, in fact, if the shipowner, whose ship is equipped with the “plug”, could not obtain energy from shore due to the lack or malfunction of the system? Who would be responsible? The regulatory framework is broad and unfortunately not always unambiguous; moreover, we are talking about a novelty, in which Italy has been able to act with foresight and with a significant investment. Discussing these aspects, and those related to insurance, means putting potential investors in a position of greater awareness, thus helping the development of the country-system».
«With the systematic and concentrated spread of shore power systems – agreed Giorgio Moroni of Aon Spa – the management of operational risks connected to the connection of ships to high-voltage shore power networks, including equipment malfunctions, voltage spikes, and potential fires, takes on ever greater importance. We have worked to identify the necessary integrations and amendments to the liability coverages currently available to cover new potential risks, without the support of data and statistical experience».
«We have focused a great deal – added Riccardo Barelli of AON Re – on the search for insurance capacity from various markets to meet the likely demand for high limits for concessionaires’ liability policies. The insurance sector in fact plays a central role, that of guaranteeing the compatibility of the new system from every angle, protecting all operators from economic losses and consolidating confidence in the safety and effectiveness of cold ironing».
