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Mauritius Hosts High-Level Workshop to Accelerate Sustainable Smart Port Development in Africa

Port and maritime sector leaders, government officials, and industry stakeholders convened yesterday May 27, 2025, at the Hilton Mauritius Resort & Spa for a high-level presentation Workshop on Sustainable Smart Ports. Jointly organized by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the Mauritius Ports Authority (MPA), this event aims to bolster the capacities of African ports in adopting sustainable energy and technology-driven solutions, thereby contributing significantly to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Workshop is a key component of UNCTAD’s broader Sustainable Smart Ports (SSP) for Africa project, which strategically focuses on Mauritius, Ghana, and Morocco. The initiative seeks to empower these nations in building resilient and environmentally conscious ports that leverage innovation for efficiency and sustainability.

The opening session featured distinguished addresses that set the tone for the day's discussions:

  • Mrs. Frida Youssef, Chief of Transport Section, UNCTAD, delivered the welcoming remarks, emphasizing the collaborative spirit of the initiative.
  • Mrs Aruna Bunwaree-Ramsaha, Ag. Director General of the Mauritius Ports Authority, provided the opening address, highlighting MPA's commitment to driving sustainability in the maritime sector.
  • Her Excellency Mrs. Lisa Simrique SINGH, UN Resident Coordinator for Mauritius and Seychelles, delivered the keynote address, officially declaring the Workshop open and underscoring the critical role of international cooperation in achieving sustainable development goals.

Attendees included senior representatives from various government ministries, shipping lines, port stakeholders, and the Cargo Handling Corporation Ltd, reflecting the multi-faceted approach required for port transformation.

"Today's Workshop marks a crucial milestone in our collective journey towards transforming Port Louis into a sustainable and smart port," stated Mrs Aruna Bunwaree-Ramsaha, Ag. Director General of the Mauritius Ports Authority. "The insights gained, and partnerships forged here are instrumental in our ambition to position Port Louis as a model Sustainable Smart Port development in the region."

A central focus of the workshop was the presentation of the comprehensive findings and recommendations from the Sustainable Smart Port assessment of Port Louis. This in-depth analysis provides a clear roadmap for future development. Lively stakeholder discussions followed, addressing ongoing initiatives and challenges related to the energy transition and advancing Port Louis's smart and sustainable status. These dialogues were crucial for identifying priority actions for implementation and assessing critical capacity-building needs.

The MPA highlighted its ongoing green initiatives, including the installation of solar panels at three port sites with a total installed capacity of 408 kilowatts. The installation of solar PV in the port will be scaled up with additional installations at the Port Louis Cruise Terminal and other sites, that will lead to a total capacity of One (1) Megawatt, which will provide clean electricity equivalent to 10% of our annual consumption. The Authority is also providing technical assistance for the electrification of port equipment at the Mauritius Container Terminal to significantly reduce diesel consumption. Furthermore, the Feasibility Study for shore power to provide electricity cruise vessels, which was completed in 2022, confirmed its technical viability. While initial capital costs are high, and current grid electricity relies on fossil fuels, the MPA is actively exploring solutions to source this shore power specifically from renewable energy sources. This initiative aims to significantly reduce emissions from berthed vessels and aligns with our broader decarbonization goals.

The Workshop also included a presentation on a practical follow-up Capacity Building Workshop on Port Equipment Electrification, scheduled for May 28-30, 2025, demonstrating tangible next steps for continued progress. The day concluded with closing statements from UNCTAD and MPA, reaffirming their commitment to sustained collaboration.