Discounts Encourage Green Ships

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The Port of Gothenburg is encouraging more ships to implement green initiatives after reducing charges for vessels with a high environmental performance.

One in three vessels that called at the largest port in Scandinavia last year were classified as green according to the Environmental Ship Index (ESI) and Clean Shipping Index (CSI). In total, 75 vessels received a discount of 10% on the port charges compared to 41 in 2015.

The port has made it easier for shipping companies to secure a discount this year as before the start of 2017 they were required to register their vessels with Port Control at the Port of Gothenburg, but now registration takes place automatically when vessels call at the port.

Vessels running on LNG will still need to report to the Gothenburg Port Authority to secure the discount. The Port of Gothenburg manages 30 per cent of Swedish foreign trade and 60 per cent of all container traffic.

Heading the discount list are Donsö-based shipping companies Tärntank Ship Management AB and Furetank AB, whose vessels are powered by liquefied natural gas.

Edvard Molitor, Environmental Manager at Gothenburg Port Authority, said: “The growing number of vessels classified as green is highly encouraging. They are also vessels that call at the port on a regular basis.”

Vessels that have a score of at least 30 according to ESI, or which are classified as green according to CSI, receive the 10% discount on port charges.

An additional discount is available for vessels that run on liquefied natural gas (LNG). By using LNG as a marine fuel, emissions of sulphur and particles are reduced to almost zero and nitrogen oxide emissions by 85-90%. There is also a substantial reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.

In total, these vessels receive a 30% discount each time they call. In 2016, two vessels received the maximum discount. These were Ternsund and Fure West, owned by Donsö-based shipping companies Tärntank Ship Management AB and Furetank AB.

Technical Paper: Innovation: The Route to Green Shipping

Molitor added: “Swedish shipping companies are very much at the forefront when it comes to LNG, methanol, hybrid electric ships and other eco-smart solutions.”

The current environmental discount was first introduced on January 1, 2015. Another similar environmental reward system was in place prior to that. The aim is for shipping companies to be encouraged to mitigate their environmental impact in a way that goes beyond laws and regulations.

Molitor commented: “We want to reward the shipping companies for their green initiatives. For the average freight vessel, the environmental discount could result in savings of tens of thousands of kronor.”

Shipping companies that receive an environmental discount:

Atlantic Container Line, APL, Amyntas, Baltic Front Shipping, Broström, Carl Buttner GmbH & Co, DFDS, Dong A Tanker, Euro Marine Carrier, Furetank, Glovis, Hapag Lloyd, Handytankers, Hyundai Merchant Marine, Maersk Line, Maersk Tanker, Mitsui OSK-Lines, Mediterranean Shipping Company, Norient Product Pool, Stena Line, SCF Management Services, Sirius Shipping, TUI Cruises, Tärntank Ship Management, TMS Tankers, Thun Tanker, Wallenius Lines, Wallenius Wilhemsen Logistics, Wilson Euro Carriers and Älvtank.

Environmental Ship Index and Clean Shipping Index

Clean Shipping Index (CSI) is an environmental index where companies that purchase sea transport services can make an environmental assessment of the shipping companies. Account is taken of a number of factors that have an impact on the environment, including bottom coatings and antifouling agents, ballast water, fuel, lubrication oil, bilge water, coolants and waste. Vessels that are classified as green are of a good environmental standard. Environmental Ship Index (ESI) is an international index that aims to raise the environmental performance of vessels. Read more at www.environmentalshipindex.org and www.cleanshippingindex.com. Vessels that have a score of at least 30 according to ESI, or which are classified as green according to CSI, receive a 10% discount on the port charges based on gross tonnage. An environmental discount is granted on condition that registration has taken place according to the stipulations for ESI or CSI.

Last year, a milestone was reached in the greening process that is taking place at the Port of Gothenburg with the M/T Ternsund being the first tanker in Sweden to bunker natural gas at the entrance to the port.

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