The Port Authority of NSW has announced it has joined the Blue Visby Consortium, which aims to reduce international shipping carbon emissions by potentially 15 per cent.
Port Authority of NSW CEO, Philip Holliday, said Blue Visby provides a unique platform which optimises ships’ arrival times at their destination.
The platform eliminates the practice of ‘Sail Fast, then Wait’ which can significantly reduce fuel consumption and emissions.
The Blue Visby Consortium continues to grow and comprises over 30 organisations worldwide and is led by Helsinki based Napa Oy and London based Stephenson Harwood LLP, experts in their respective fields of maritime technology and maritime law.
READ: Shipping industry ‘failing’ to monitor emissions
“Supporting the Blue Visby Consortium by participating in this pilot programme for visiting ships to the Port of Newcastle reinforces our commitment to working collaboratively with the maritime and shipping sector on a global solution to reduce carbon emissions,” Holliday said.
“Port Authority manages the efficient movement of shipping in and out of NSW ports through its pilotage, port management system and Vessel Traffic Services (VTS), which is the equivalent of Air Traffic Control – but for the sea.
“While we are very proud of the efficiency benefits of our own Port Management System by joining this pilot programme, we will be helping the development of a system that could see the reduction of shipping emissions along the entirety of a ship’s voyage, which can be thousands of nautical miles.
“Blue Visby comprises of various components, including advanced digital technology and a new algorithm to arrival times for groups of vessels travelling to the same port, thereby enabling vessels to reduce their speed and emissions without losing their scheduled arrival time order.
“Essentially, this is achieved by analysing several factors, including the performance of each ship together with conditions such as weather and congestion at the destination.
“It also relies on stakeholders working together through the sharing of information.
“We are already embedding sustainability measures across Port Authority and have set the ambitious target to achieve 75 per cent reduction in our Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030 and be Net Zero by 2040, as well as to collaborate and partner with key stakeholders to investigate ways to reduce our Scope 3 emissions.
