Without denying petrochemicals, as a strategic enclave for the two enormous industrial estates to the north and south of the city of Tarragona, but with the will to transform itself beyond its industrial identity. A long-term diversification process that already began with the previous president of the port of Tarragona, Josep Maria Cruset (Junts), but that in the last year has taken a new direction with the arrival of an unusual profile for the position, Saül Garreta ERC's commitment, with a clearly environmentalist soul.
After an intentionally soft landing, Garreta has already defined his roadmap and has begun to put together his team. The strategy is clear: take advantage of the driving force of vital sectors for Camp de Tarragona such as chemistry to convert the port of Tarragona into a transforming element of its entire metropolitan area, now in the process of refoundation.
From the theory to the practice. If the largest petrochemical hub in southern Europe must face the challenge of decarbonization, the port of Tarragona places its focus here and makes it the “pillar” to lead the promotion and research of new renewable energies.
If the future involves recovering natural spaces next to large cities and infrastructure, priority is given to the natural restoration of the 37.7 hectare wetland area of Prats d'Albinyana, in La Pineda (Vila-seca), within the Xarxa Natura 2000. An unprecedented intervention in Tarragona at the confluence with the new ZAL (Logistics Activities Zone), of 92 hectares.
The recovery of this protected area (PEIN), with the help of the Vila-seca City Council, was agreed upon several years ago as compensation for the growth of the port. The works, already put out to tender, will begin in February-March 2024, after obtaining permits. “After the recovery of l’Estany d’Ivars, it is the most important environmental work that has ever been done in Catalonia. And I will see it, the result of teamwork, collaborating with many administrations; It is the new paradigm, collaborating more than competing,” Garreta highlights.
Another priority is the relationship with the urban environment, in the capital and also to the south, in La Pineda, in front of one of the tourist centers of the Costa Daurada.
Another transformative work and opportunity emerges here, the Ponent contradam. “It is a unique, singular work, with more than 100 million of investment, which allows to pacify, to act as a hinge, between a tourist area of international recognition, Vila-seca, Salou and Cambrils, with an industrial port connected to the largest industrial estate. from southern Europe. It will make us have a safer port,” reasons the president.
The contradam will allow the port to be closed in the southern area, facing La Pineda, which will also stabilize the La Pineda beach in the face of the effects of the climate emergency on the 2100 horizon and protect the coastline from possible spills in port activity.
In terms of urban planning, in Tarragona, the port has led a transformation process in the last decade to connect the city center with the Lower Part, Miracle beach and the port, saving the great difference between the Balcó del Mediterrani and the sea.
The urban planning action, a success, now has new challenges, such as reversing the process of degradation of the Part Baixa neighborhood. Another project has come to fruition, that of the Port park, to make the entire area around Plaza de los Carros pedestrian, with great untapped potential. “It will serve to regenerate the entire Part Baixa, which needs it greatly,” adds Garreta. Conversations are underway with the Col·legi de Metges to create a coliving space to have medical students (MIR) in buildings owned by the port. It would include a step under the pedestrian and bicycle paths. The first part of the project, underway in February 2024, with an investment of 3.5 million, the park with 400 trees.
In parallel, the port has started talks with the Reial Club Nàutic to ensure that the premises that have been empty in the marina for years, in the former nightlife area, are converted with the arrival of companies linked to the energy transition. Decarbonization as a pillar. It is desired to transfer the successful model of the Port Tarraco Marina, with 100% occupancy.
Adding as many allies as possible in the industry is one of the strategies to achieve what could seem like a chimera in a port with a long industrial tradition that still moves one million tons of coal every year (previously there were eight). In the research it goes hand in hand with the Rovira i Virgili University (URV).
The commitment to decarbonisation, with green hydrogen as its axis, has been embodied in the choice of the seat of the Vall de l'Hydrogen de Catalunya in the building of the Port Authority of Tarragona. "We want to collaborate with the metropolitan area of Barcelona", emphasizes Garreta.
In the new roadmap, growth is not a priority. “We question the historical bets to compete in containers with Valencia or Barcelona; It is smarter to focus efforts on the energy transition that can turn the port of Tarragona into a benchmark. The energy transition must also be social,” he adds.
