Twelve ocean carrier lines have been recognized for their voluntary efforts to reduce air emissions in the Port of Vancouver in Canada by the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority after being presented with Blue Circle Awards.
The award aims to encourage marine carriers to excel in environmental stewardship and attain the highest participation rates in the port authority’s EcoAction program.
Since 2007, the port authority’s EcoAction program has recognized a variety of fuel, technology and environmental management options that make ship operators eligible to receive discounted harbour dues rates.
Earlier this year, the port authority added new incentive criteria to the EcoAction program to include harbour dues rate discounts for quieter ships, making Canada the first country in the world with an underwater noise reduction incentive.
The ocean carrier lines receiving the 2016 Vancouver Fraser Port Authority Blue Circle Award are: CMA CGM, Evergreen Line, Grieg Star, Hamburg Süd, Hapag-Lloyd, Hyundai Merchant Marine, K Line, Mediterranean Shipping Company, NYK Line, The China Navigation Company, United Arab Shipping Company and Yang Ming.
Robin Silvester, President and Chief Executive Officer at the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, said: “Creating impactful environmental change takes shared leadership, commitment and collaboration. We are proud to honour fourteen marine carriers with a Blue Circle Award this year to recognize their efforts above and beyond regulatory requirements to reduce air emissions. Congratulations to the 2016 award recipients.”
The awards also included two cruise ship lines; Disney Cruise Line and Princess Cruises.
