Capacity building of managers and technicians of the Tunisian Navigation Company (CTN), National Energy Auditors and Maritime Transport Stakeholders in terms of energy transition and the effect of GHG emissions on the climate.

The United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON), on behalf of Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) invites qualified interested firms to submit Expression of Interest (EOI) to participate in the upcoming solicitation for the implementation of technical assistance for the capacity building of managers and technicians of the Tunisian Navigation Company (CTN) as well as national energy auditors and maritime transport stakeholders in terms of energy transition and the effect of GHG emissions on the climate. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on behalf of the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) requires the services of an institution to deliver the technical assistance as approved by National Designated Entity from Tunisia. The objective of this Technical Assistance is to strengthen the technical and institutional capacities of the Compagnie Tunisienne de Navigation (CTN) and stakeholders in the maritime sector to improve the energy performance of the national fleet and comply with international requirements for the decarbonization of maritime transport. The CTN, founded in 1959, is the Tunisian national maritime transport company, leader in the maritime field of passengers and vehicles on the two regular routes linking La Goulette to the two ports of Genoa and Marseille. It also transports goods (in trailers and containers) on regular routes linking Rades to Marseille, Genoa, Livorno, Barcelona and Sagunto. The CTN also guarantees on-demand navigation without a fixed route (tramping), the consignment of ships as well as the representation of foreign shipowners in Tunisian ports. The company's activity consists of using primary energies (fossil fuels) to produce a freight and passenger transport service. However, the fuel consumption of the company's ships has a double impact on the company: - It influences the cost of transport (energy bill), the share of which ("bunker costs") amounts to nearly 60% of the cost price of a carferry trip through its 3 uses: Propulsion, Electrical energy production and Steam Generation, - It has a direct impact on the environment with the emission of COx, SOx, NOx and fine particles. Tunisia's updated National Energy Strategy 2035 and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) highlight the importance of decarbonizing all sectors, including shipping, to achieve the country's climate goals. The maritime sector, as a major consumer of fossil fuels, represents a priority axis to improve energy efficiency, reduce GHG emissions and adopt clean technologies. Efforts to modernize the fleet and bring it into line with international standards are therefore fully in line with these national strategic orientations. Despite various efforts already undertaken, the CTN and Tunisian maritime transport stakeholders are facing major challenges in fully complying with the new IMO technical and operational requirements in terms of energy performance and GHG emission reduction. The lack of specific technical capacities, standardised tools for energy audits, as well as the absence of an integrated sectoral strategy hinder the effective implementation of the required measures. The CTCN's technical assistance is therefore crucial to support Tunisia in structuring its efforts, strengthening national skills, developing a decarbonization roadmap, and developing an operational framework in line with international standards. Some of the expected outputs are: 1. Mandatory Output: Project Management. 2. Mapping of the maritime sector in Tunisia and its decarbonization and energy management activities. 3. Development of a decarbonization strategy for the maritime sector in Tunisia. 4. Preparation and implementation of capacity building in audit and energy management. The complete details of the requirement will be provided in the tender documents that will be issued to bidders after this request for EOI is closed.